iPhone SE (2016) iPhone SE Plus Discussion Thread

[TDDM]

There are quite a few general iPhone SE threads, but I didn’t see any specifically for the Plus model. I figured that it’d be helpful to have a thread focused on the Plus instead of us continuing to talk in other topics that are more focused on the 4.7” version. For a refresher, here’s a general roundup of the main news and rumors about the SE Plus as of 4/18/20:

• 12/05/19: Ming-Chi Kuo: “For the first time, though, Kuo is predicting an "iPhone SE2 Plus" in the first half of 2021, in 5.5- or 6.1-inch sizes, with a full-screen design. It is predicted to feature a smaller notch, because of no Face ID support, and Touch ID integrated in the power button on the side.”
• 3/16/20: The next major SE Plus news was the 9to5Mac iOS14 story where they said, “9to5Mac has learned several new details about the upcoming iPhone 9 based on iOS 14 code. Now we’ve discovered evidence that Apple is also working on a larger “iPhone 9 Plus” — not only an iPhone 9 — to replace both iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.” Adding to the credibility of this leak, this article also mentioned 4 new iPad models (11” Wifi, 11” Cellular, 12.9” Wifi, 12.9” Cellular) which were announced two days after the article was published.
• March/April 2020: The next round of rumors comes from Jon Prosser. He’s been correct on a few recent things, but hasn’t been established as a reliable long-term leaker, so take these with a grain of salt. The second attached picture is a small summary of his information as of 4/15/20. As of 4/20/20, Prosser has stated that it’s still happening, but not this year. His sources say it won’t launch until Q1 of next year.
• 4/21/20: Update from Ming-Chi Kuo: “We predicted that Apple would launch the new ‌iPhone‌ model in 1H21 in a previous report ("‌iPhone‌ supply chain to be 2020 top pick in the tech sector; key predictions for new ‌iPhone‌ product mixes in 2020 and 2021" [December 5, 2019]). However, we think that Apple will likely postpone the new model from 1H21 to 2H21 “

This post will be updated as new info & leaks come in.

 

[AustinIllini]

Honestly, I don't see the point any longer.

 

[JPack]

From my perspective, the SE2 Plus was always slated for launch late 2020 or 1H21, as Kuo predicts. He has a good track record for about a decade.

9to5Mac found code of the Plus in iOS 14, which means the earliest would be late 2020. Furthermore, I doubt Apple will launch the SE2 Plus concurrently with their premium 5G models. So realistically, it's likely early 2021.

 

[tonybarnaby]

6.1” plus would be ideal! I would happily wait until early next year for that.
[automerge]1587257020[/automerge]
This leads me to believe it won’t be out anytime soon, even if he has info soon about it.

 

[mpavilion]

This is the phone I’m really waiting for; disappointing to hear (or at least infer) that it won’t be out soon.

 

[oVerboost]

The fact that he says not to cancel SE orders suggest the news is either it’s delayed until next year or has been scrapped.

 

[ActionFigures]

A lot of ppl (me included) are waiting on this phone as a potential 8 plus replacement. If you don't see the point of an SE Plus get outta here. I'm very interested to see if they go the fingerprint on the power button route and make it full screen with at least 1080p 401 dppi. Either way I'm not upgrading till the notch is gone.

 

[oVerboost]

A lot of ppl (me included) are waiting on this phone as a potential 8 plus replacement. If you don't see the point of an SE Plus get outta here. I'm very interested to see if they go the fingerprint on the power button route and make it full screen with at least 1080p 401 dppi. Either way I'm not upgrading till the notch is gone.

If it happens it won’t get a new screen. Unless they put the extra costs into the price. Then maybe.

 

[ActionFigures]

If it happens it won’t get a new screen. Unless they put the extra costs into the price. Then maybe.

Yea most definitely. I'm fine with either tbh just update it to A13/A14 and improved cams and I'll be cool. Kuo reported the full screen rumor so I at least know they're thinking about it.

 

[majkom]

That is all cool, but have no idea what to do now, my ip7 is as good as dead, hoped for se plus to be next phone (lcd, 1080p, touch id).. so buy se2? Buy 8 plus till i can? Buy 11?

 

[mpavilion]

That is all cool, but have no idea what to do now, my ip7 is as good as dead, hoped for se plus to be next phone (lcd, 1080p, touch id).. so buy se2? Buy 8 plus till i can? Buy 11?

It really is a tough call. My 7+ is having charging issues, but I’m trying to ride it out. If you’re already used to the 4.7” screen size, I’d say just get the SE if you really need a new phone. The price is right.

The cost of picking up a brand new 8+ (e.g., on Swappa) doesn’t seem worth it, considering the age of the chip... though of course it’s relative, maybe you’re jonesing for a bigger screen and battery battery life.

 

[tonybarnaby]

There are mint condition 8 on swappa for $225 or so. I wonder if I should pick one up plus a $100 apple battery case. I could sell my 8+ for $300 and only lose a few bucks. The se plus is a day 1 purchase for me. I’m just getting tired of the phone swapping:

Bought 8+ at launch - Waiting for Max
Traded 8+ for XS Max
Returned XS Max due to PWM. 8+ #2
Traded in 8+ for IPhone 11
Returned iPhone 11 for headaches. 8+ #3

The 8+ is a solid phone, but I’m ready to get something new that I know I can keep for 3-4 years (se plus). It’s a weird feeling knowing my 8+ is on borrowed time. I may get the 12 pro max, but I’m 99% sure it would just lead to more headaches.

 

[mpavilion]

There are mint condition 8 on swappa for $225 or so. I wonder if I should pick one up plus a $100 apple battery case. I could sell my 8+ for $300 and only lose a few bucks.

You could get a $250 trade-in value for your 8+ from Apple, pick up the SE for $149, and have a better phone than a mint (used) 8 and avoid the Swappa hassles.

 

[Stridr69]

I loved my 8+. Too bad it didn't have T-Mobile's Band 71. Otherwise I would've kept it(got the XS Max instead).

 

[tonybarnaby]

You could get a $250 trade-in value for your 8+ from Apple, pick up the SE for $149, and have a better phone than a mint (used) 8 and avoid the Swappa hassles.

True, but then I would need a $100 apple battery case. I may do that, if I can get used to the small size.

 

[mpavilion]

True, but then I would need a $100 apple battery case. I may do that, if I can get used to the small size.

Maybe try this case and save 50 bucks?: https://www.shopmoment.com/shop/battery-photo-case/iphone-7

(I’ve been considering the same course of action...)

 

[tonybarnaby]

Maybe try this case and save 50 bucks?: https://www.shopmoment.com/shop/battery-photo-case/iphone-7

(I’ve been considering the same course of action...)

I have a $29 battery case coming for my 8+. I’ll see how that lasts at work. Just a shame the se plus won’t be out anytime soon.

 

[TDDM]

This is kinda weird.

MacRumors posted this story earlier, citing a leaker with a fairly accurate track record.

Looking through his past claims, he does seem pretty reliable. Here’s the weird thing: he’s talked about the SE Plus and mentioned that it’s coming in 2021 + will still have the A13 chip, and that directly contradicts what Jon Prosser was saying a few weeks ago (The SE Plus was in production as early as 3/18/20, and it was to be released alongside the SE).

It’s strange how they both have accurate track records, yet had wildly different leaks on the SE Plus. I guess that’s changed since the Plus didn’t launch this month and Prosser seems to be shifting to “launching later near the end of this year”, but that still doesn’t explain why they had such different info back in March. I guess the good news is that neither of them have said that the Plus model is cancelled, that’s a good sign IMO.

Anyway, I’m still hoping for a June launch. I don’t see why they’d wait any longer than necessary, the A13 chip is only getting older & less attractive as time goes on. Plus, even more importantly, I *really* want it. That’s gotta count for something, right? Tim, are you listening? ?

 

[ksec]

People are too focused on a person getting something right that was bound to happen within *weeks, and completely ignore Ming's roadmap which has everything iPhone leaks dead accurate ( his Mac prediction aren't as accurate, but that is also because the volume of Mac are much lower, you cant hide anything when you are moving 80M quarterly orders across the supply chain )

Edit: Ming has been saying iPhone SE Plus way before December last year.

And just to point out, the Plus is either in production *now* and should be announced along with iPhone SE and shipping later, or it is not. It cant be in production, it is coming and suddenly not happening ( According to Jon Prosser ). Tell that to Ming or others with Supply Chain experience and you get a big laugh.

Quoting my own post from here https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-upgrade.2229809/?post=28343595#post-28343595

$1099 iPhone 12 Pro 6.7”
$999 iPhone 12 Pro 6.1”

5G ( No mm-Wave Support ) / 6GB RAM / Triple Camera / LIDAR / A14 ( A13s? ) / Pro Motion OLED / Face ID 2.0 / 128GB / WiFi 6E / "Pro Design" or Boxy Design, Which is sort of the design languages Apple uses for "Pro".


$749 iPhone 12 6.1”
$649 iPhone 12 5.4”

5G / 4GB RAM / Dual Camera / A14 ( A13s? ) / OLED / Face ID 2.0 / 128GB ( May be 64GB with -$50 Starting Price ) / WiFi 6E / Curve Edge Design, similar to iPhone 11.

$599 iPhone 11
$499 iPhone XR

$499 iPhone SE 5.4” ( Non Scaled Resolution @ 1536 x 864 ? ) / March 2021 ?
$399 iPhone SE 4.7”

4.5G / 3GB RAM / Single Camera / A13 / Liquid Retina LCD / 64GB / WiFi 6 / Classic Design.

( Ignore the iPhone 12 lineup for now / here, those are for pricing reference in discussion of full iPhone line up with respect to iPhone SE Plus)

That was from the discussion of 2020 iPhone line up. The idea is that once iPhone XR drops to $499 next year, and gets replaced by the new iPhone SE Plus in 2021 March ( I am thinking they will drop all the Max and Plus moniker ). Similar to what happened to iPhone 8.

Apple *could* upgrade the SE with the XR Camera Sensor with Focus Pixel, and along with A13 it *should* in theory be capable of Night mode as well. Not too sure if that would be too good of a deal as it would cannibalise sales of iPhone 11.

Also not quite sure how to reads into the Touch ID on power button because that would means the SE have two designs. And if Apple updated the smaller SE with Power Touch ID a single year reuse of iPhone SE design seems very unApple. You would expect that to last at leats until 2022. One possibility is that they only shrink the top and bottom "chin" a few mm as you wont have home button any more. So the looks is still similar to iPhone 8. But are you now expected to swipe up as home just like other iPhone ? Would this apply to smaller iPhone SE as well to unify this "Home" gesture?

And I have been thinking how are left hand people expect to hold their phone? Using their right hand? As the button is on the right and it would be natural to unlock using your thumb. I try it with my left hand and using your index finger to unlock definitely feels awkward.

 

[MyPhone99]

Thanks for this thread.
I am waiting for SE plus (8+ external with latest internals)
i thought it would come along with SE. but my guess they would release it in May/June.
if not then then they will release in 2021 first half as they cant release them again iphone 12 but if they delay till fist half of 2021 i doubt if there will be any USP for it as A13 wont be latest processor by then

 

[JPack]

People are too focused on a person getting something right that was bound to happen within *weeks, and completely ignore Ming's roadmap which has everything iPhone ( his Mac prediction aren't as accurate, but that is also because the volume of Mac are much lower, you cant hide anything when you are moving 80M quarterly orders across the supply chain )

Edit: Ming has been saying iPhone SE Plus way before December last year.

Thank you.

Kuo has a decade of reliable predictions and people seem to be placing complete confidence on a new guy on Twitter.

 

[ActionFigures]

Yea I trust Kuo always. I'm really interested to see if we get this full screen touch ID power button iteration or just a regular updated 8plus. Funny how I'm more excited about this over any of the 12 devices ? Apple is gonna milk this smaller notch for another 3 yrs anyway

 

[tonybarnaby]

If the se plus isn’t coming until 2021, that’s a huge letdown. Rather have it late than have it get scrapped, but still.

 

[snipr125]

Yea I'm awaiting some reliable info on the SE plus also. I was going to pull the trigger on the new SE, but am holding off until solid reviews are on youtube/tech sites about battery life and maybe the camera performance. I love my 8 plus but the battery has dropped to 88% and im eager to upgrade to the same form factor.

 

[tonybarnaby]

Yea I'm awaiting some reliable info on the SE plus also. I was going to pull the trigger on the new SE, but am holding off until solid reviews are on youtube/tech sites about battery life and maybe the camera performance. I love my 8 plus but the battery has dropped to 88% and im eager to upgrade to the same form factor.

New se will most likely be close to the 8. Some people can get by on that, but I know I can’t. A $30 battery case for my 8+ is what I went with until the se plus launch is revealed. Maybe that would work for you also? My battery health is still at 100%, but I work 12-16 hour days in a place with horrible reception.