iPhone SE launch weekend sales "lackluster," but iPad Pro proves popular

[midian182]

While the majority of reviews for Apple’s recent iPhone SE have been overwhelmingly positive, calling it the best 4-inch phone you can buy, the public reception has been slightly muted.

Apple’s been pretty quite when it comes to early sales figures for the new device, and that’s probably because - in the words of mobile analytics firm Localytics - they’re pretty “lackluster.” The company’s research shows that the iPhone SE grabbed a mere 0.1 percent of the iPhone market over its first weekend of sales.

This wasn't the only bad news for Apple. A recent CNBC report claimed that the new device was proving to be very popular in some overseas markets, and that orders for the phone had already topped 3.4 million units in China. However, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expressed doubt as to the accuracy of the claims.

Although there exists a market survey that indicates iPhone SE preorders top 3.4mn units in China, we couldn’t find more evidence to support this. However, judging by the delivery time for iPhone SE preorders, we believe initial demand for the iPhone SE following the announcement has been significantly lower than that of past new models. We believe this is due in part to lackluster demand for smaller-size smartphones and, more importantly, that the product itself offers no significant upgrades to form factor or hardware specs.

There are several possible reasons why the new iPhone may have suffered poor first-weekend sales compared to other iOS device launches. For a start, it was released on the same day that Tesla unveiled its Model 3 vehicle, which grabbed a lot of press attention. Also, the fact it is essentially a low-cost, four-inch, upgraded version of the iPhone 5s means it's targetted more toward emerging markets rather than the US. Finally, most Apple fans looking for a new smartphone will likely be waiting until September, when the iPhone 7 is due.

The recent iPad Pro 9.7-inch, on the other hand, did fairly well during its opening weekend. According to Localytics, it performed slightly better over its first few days than its predecessor managed last fall.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/64340-iphone-se-launch-weekend-sales-lackluster-but-ipad.html

 

[stewi0001]

I feel like SE should stand for: Suck Eggs

;P

 

[oldikes]

For one, im moving up from a 4 inch phone, because my fingers are simply too big for typing to be comfortable. for 2, Im moving away from iphone, because they intentionally left my perfectly capable 5c out of certain features (night shift) in an attempt to force me to upgrade.

Smaller phones are now a more niche product. Not to mention the SE isnt exactly a high end phone.

 

[Jamlad]

Or because there is no significant reason to "upgrade" from my 5s? What Apple, and a lot of manufacturers, have failed to realize is that for most people "good enough" is sufficient. Once you get past the Model T stage most people have very little incentive/motivation to upgrade.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Actually I quite like the looks and size of that SE but being an Apple product, naturally it'll never make it onto my list of considerations if I were in the market.

 

[Reehahs]

Apple should just offer (as pointed by another user/author on TechSpot) different screen sizes and storage capacities for each generation with minimal other hardware differentiation. Not everyone has large/small hands. Sony got it right with Xperia Z and Z compact phones.

 

[fktech]

Recent Apple Phone OS updates have reeked havoc on it's users. Black screens, freezes, etc., Google it....

Apple business associates have forwarded me their emails with attachments so I could open them for them to read on my Android based phone. Come on Apple you can and should do better....