4. Over the last few years, smartphone
brands such as Oppo, Huawei and Xiaomi
have created smartphones with flagship
features at very low prices.
This gap in the market, often referred to as
“the budget market”, showed a large
growth potential in Asian countries such as
China and India.
Naturally, other companies such as Apple,
Samsung and Google created specific
models of their flagship phone to target
this market.
5. History of Apple’s
Budget Phones.
Similar to Huawei and Xiaomi, Apple made a
specific model of their flagship that had some
flagship specifications but was offered at a
lower price point.
In 2016, Apple unveiled the iPhone SE
(Special Edition) and was launched along the
flagships iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. The price
started at $249 USD (‘iPhone SE (1st
Generation)’).
It was eventually discontinued in 2018 but
revived in 2020 when Apple announced the
second edition iPhone SE which is currently
the cheapest phone Apple offers starting at
$399 (‘iPhone SE (2nd Generation)’).
6. According to MacRumors, Apple is set to unveil a third-generation iPhone SE at an
event on March 8th .
The new version is rumored to mirror its predecessors in terms of having flagship
qualities while being set at a low price point.
An improved camera setup and a powerful A15 processor chip are two of the
reported upgrades that consumers can expect to see from the third-generation
iPhone SE.
• (‘New Low-Cost IPhone SE 5G and IPad Air Coming on March 8’)
8. I believe that the iPhone SE is a vital model in the Apple
product lineup as it provides a much needed, price competitive
iOS option in the market.
Many consumers keep old iPhones as they cannot afford a
new model and cannot switch to an Android phone as they are
too dependent on the Apple Ecosystem and the features it
offers. The iPhone SE is the solution to those problems.
Overall, the iPhone SE is beneficial for both customers and
Apple.
9. A cheaper iOS alternative
Flagship specifications at low price
Up-to-date software (apps and
operating system)
Money saved can be used to buy other
Apple products (e.g., Apple Watch)
10. Benefits to Apple
Increased sales
Growth of Apple Ecosystem
Brand growth in rural countries
