iPhone SE 2016
The first iPhone SE released by Apple in 2016 was a significant product in the tech industry, particularly due to its unique blend of high-end features without the hefty price tag. The phone was a response to the growing demand for affordable, yet powerful smartphones, and it also aimed to upgrade the existing 4-inch iPhone models by offering enhanced performance and a modern design.
The inspiration for the iPhone SE 2016 stemmed from the realization that while Apple's flagship iPhones were highly sought after, they were also prohibitively expensive for many consumers. In addition, Apple sold 30 million 4-inch iPhones in 2015, which confirmed the fact that many liked the smaller devices.
Before its announcement, iPhone SE (2016) was surrounded by various rumors highlighting its anticipated features and design. Speculation suggested that the device would retain a 4-inch screen, reminiscent of the iPhone 5S, while incorporating powerful components similar to the iPhone 6S. This scenario clearly projected that there would be not too many new innovative solutions.
The biggest challenge for Apple was to pick and select more powerful components developed for the bigger iPhone and blend them with the older, cheaper parts without compromising on design quality and performance. The whole component mosaic was quickly identified:
A9 Processor, 12 MP iSight Camera, InvenSense 6-axis Sensor - same as in iPhone 6s
1.2 MP FaceTime HD Camera, 4-inch Retina Display, Touch ID Sensor, Speaker Assembly, Vibration Motor - same as in iPhone 5s
Battery - unique to iPhone SE
As expected there were relatively few new parts, but that hardly indicated that there was no innovation. Taking the old and the new, and finding just the right, cost-effective balance is a strategy for a successful product.
The first iPhone SE was announced on March 21st, 2016 and marketed as the most powerful phone with a 4-inch display that was "reinvented from the inside out". It had:
Powerful Performance - iPhone SE was equipped with the A9 chip, delivering two times faster CPU and three times faster GPU performance compared to the iPhone 5S, enhancing speed and energy efficiency.
Advanced Camera - it featured a 12-megapixel iSight camera capable of shooting 4K video, live photos, and included advanced technologies like Focus Pixels for fast focusing and improved noise reduction.
Compact Design - the phone retained a beloved 4-inch Retina display in a compact aluminum body with updated design elements, making it easy to handle and operate with one hand.
Enhanced Connectivity - the iPhone SE offered faster LTE and Wi-Fi capabilities, with support for more LTE bands for better global roaming, ensuring users could enjoy high-speed internet access.
Security and Usability - it included Touch ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay integration, along with iOS 9 that brought intelligent features and a user-friendly interface to enhance overall usability.
These characteristics collectively positioned the first iPhone SE as a powerful yet a very compact smartphone option.
Media reviews about iPhone SE 2016 were reserved. NYT observer wrote that “after weighing all the pros and cons (including the features missing from the SE), I personally would spend a bit more on the larger iPhone and say goodbye to the glory days of one-handed phones”. The Guardian held a similar perspective - “iPhone SE is one of the best of the very few small phones still available. It would be a significant downgrade from an iPhone 6, isn’t a quantum leap over the iPhone 5S and should only really be considered if size is the overriding factor”. Ars Technica noted that “in a lot of ways the SE is just a drop-in replacement for the iPhone 5S in Apple’s lineup, an “entry-level” iPhone that doesn’t quite offer all the features of the flagship versions”. Macworld continued the “replacement” story line - “iPhone SE wasn’t a flagship phone even when it launched, though - it was a replacement for the old iPhone 5s, the previous 4in iPhone, and an alternative to the larger and more expensive 4.7in and 5.5in iPhones which had proved highly popular, but which some users found too big”. The Verge agreed that the model was not the flagship phone - “the heavens didn’t part, pop bands didn’t play, and people aren’t camping out at Apple Stores to buy the thing. It was a subdued launch, for a smaller, mid-cycle phone that looks exactly like a phone from 2013”. Gizmodo thought the phone was the real proof that “Apple was out of ideas”. Business Insider was disappointed - “it’s a Frankenphone, a mix of the best Apple has to offer and a 3.5-year-old design that feels silly to write about weeks after Samsung released the best-looking phone you can buy”. Engadget conclusion was most balanced - “regardless of Apple's reasons for making this thing, the iPhone SE is a lovely smartphone for iOS newcomers and small-handed users alike”.
Despite lukewarm reviews the iPhone SE, released in March 2016, saw impressive sales during its first year on the market. It quickly became a popular choice, particularly in the U.S. and Europe. In the U.S., the iPhone SE accounted for 5.1% of all smartphone sales, contributing to a year-on-year market share increase for Apple. In the U.K., it was the top-selling smartphone with a 9.2% market share, even outperforming the iPhone 6s. Despite its success in these regions, the iPhone SE struggled in China, capturing only 2.5% of the market due to supply constraints and fierce competition from local brands. Overall, the iPhone SE's affordability and compact design helped it to carve out a significant niche in the midrange smartphone market. Investment analysts noted that iPhone Se 2016 was a successful model partly because of “unit economics”. It was also the first iPhone produced in India which helped to make it more affordable for Asian consumers.
All in al, iPhone SE (2016) successfully combined the compact form factor of older iPhones with the powerful internals of newer models like the iPhone 6s. This made it an appealing choice for users looking for a smaller device without sacrificing performance or camera quality. The model stayed popular several years and became a “vintage” phone just a year ago but you could always buy the next iPhone from the “SE” line!