The new toys are official. The iPhone SE very nearly amounts to an iPhone 6 in an iPhone 5 casing, and the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is effectively a smaller version of the 12.9-inch model.
While the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were Apple’s response to a large part of its customer base who were waiting impatiently for larger-screened phones, there were others who found them too big – either awkward to handle, or just too large to fit comfortably into some pockets. Those people were left with the choice between a 4-inch phone with out-dated specs, or a high-spec phone that was larger than they wanted.
The iPhone SE is a 4-inch iPhone with very few compromises. You don’t get 3D Touch, the front-facing camera is limited to 1.2MP stills and 720p video, and you don’t get the option of 128GB storage – but otherwise it has all the new toys: A9 chip, Apple Pay, Always-on ‘Hey Siri,’ 12MP rear camera, Live Photos, 4K video …
Prior to the launch of the iPhone SE, 37% of you planned to buy it. Interestingly, a third of those were iPhone 6/Plus/S owners who wanted the smaller form factor. Additionally, a further 12% of you said you would buy it when it was on a par with the larger flagship models – and it gets extremely close.
So let’s see what’s changed now you’ve seen the new model. To give us the best comparison, we are using essentially the same wording for the questions.
The 9.7-inch iPad Pro is a nice upgrade to the iPad Air 2, offering all of the goodies available in the 12.9-inch model: A9X chip, Apple Pencil support and the Smart Connector. It also gets a much better display (brighter, less reflective, wider color gamut and dynamically adjustable white balance), along with a four-speaker audio system offering twice the volume of its predecessor. Oh, and a better camera than the larger model.
As always, please let us know the reasons behind your decision in the comments.
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I won’t be getting an iPhone 5SE since I got an iPhone 6s about 5 months ago.
Apple used to give you simple choices. You bought or didn’t. But as they have diversified their categories – arguably, subdividing categories like mobile, media consumption, content creation etc – the choices are so much harder. I can see a situation at the start of 2017 when I want a Watch, a big-format iPhone 7, no tablet and my iMac; or a 4″ phone, an iPad (but 9.7 Pro or Air? Help!) and my iMac. If the Watch had a SIM slot, I’d go Watch, iPad mini, iMac. Maybe a 4G mini, and a Watch? It’s become stressful to weigh up all my use-cases and the potential products to fit…
I totally agree. You now have to think “OK what do I want to do with it?” and decide based on that. But what if I want to draw on it? Better get this one. But this one uses the Pencil, but doesn’t have as good of a camera, but has a bigger screen. Do I always want a bigger screen?
In short, I MUCH preferred there being one iPad with a mini for people who wanted to save money or liked the more compact screen. That seemed basic enough. With the Pro models and three sizes now with FIVE iPad models, it just makes my head spin. Now we’re doing this with the phones? Sheesh!
Same goes for me – I won’t be getting an iPhone 5SE since I got an iPhone 6s about 5 months ago. Literally. :D But if I hadn’t bought the 6S, I would’ve buy the SE, basically because it’s 6S for 4 or 500$. But now I am super used to the 4.7” screen, so I guess I am not going back anything smaller than that. However, I would love to get the new 9.7′ Pro pad, it looks gorgeous!
I will not be buying the iPhone SE – I jumped onto the 6Plus / 6sPlus bandwagon and have never looked back.
As I did buy the iPad Pro when it came out, I won’t be buying the iPad Pro 9.7 for myself – but I’m leaning strongly to buying one for my wife, who currently has the original iPad Air. She feels that while my iPad Pro is fast and has a great screen – it’s just too heavy and big for her. I think Apple made a good call in bringing many of features / specs of the bigger Pro (as well as some sweet new / upgraded items) to the 9.7″ Pro and this will be a nice feature upgrade for people who have an older iPad or just want to get into a tablet from Apple. I like the memory options and :LTE options presented in the new Pro 9.7.
While I still use both my iPad Pro and my older (though not much older) Air 2 – I don’t see me replacing my Air 2 with the new and smaller iPad Pro.
YMMV
I never wanted a large screen phone – but Apple gave me no choice. Now, SE will replace my (six months old) 6S, 9.7 Pro will replace my iPad Mini.
Can’t wait to pick up the 9.7 inch iPad Pro. I’m upgrading from the iPad 3, which has been a solid workhouse but has been pretty useless on iOS 9. My iPhone I swap out every two years, but I’ve had my iPad for 4 years. The iPad Pro looks to be a powerhouse, and should remain a great iPad for a few years. I look at this just like buying a MacBook… something I do every 4-5 years.
I need a new phone and price is important. I have an iPad Air and Pro so another is not needed.
My ex will be getting the SE on my account, she has a 5c time for a new phone better phone.
WOW – You are a GREAT ex! ;)
I’d love to. But 689€ + 109€ for the Pencil = 798€ for an iPad is just to much for me. So I will wait for the fall, maybe an iPad Air3 will come :)
Not interested in either. Both are just recycled ideas of the same thing yet again. It even appears that Apple took the front display, frame and fingerprint reader straight from the iPhone 5. Phonearena reports no difference in fingerprint reader speed over the 5S. I see exactly what Apple is doing; Frankensteining old and new parts together. Not original at all.
This has never been about creating something new but rather about fitting already existing technology from the flagship devices in a smaller form factor. The fact that they have achieved this without compromising one bit (apart from the front facing camera but who cares) is really impressing!
Considering Apple spent the first 15 minutes of their conference talking about recycling old hardware to make it new again, I’m not sure why this a.) a surprise, or b.) considered a bad thing…
3D Touch or bust in my book.
I voted yes for the SE, but going to get it for the wife (still on 5s)
iPhone 6 Plus here so for me, I won’t want to reduce the screen size, regardless of cost.
However, I can see myself seriously looking at the iPhone in September but only if the UK gets the same trade-in program that the US currently has (http://www.apple.com/iphone/trade-in/). If we get that at WWDC I’d be more than willing to pay £15-20/mo for the latest device with addition of annual upgrades. If not, then I’ll have to seriously think about the pros of the newer device and then buy it outright.
iPad Mini 3 (test device from work) serves me well when reading, but little else. If I didn’t have it I don’t think I’d miss it.
I walked immediately to the store and bought a discounted iPad Air 2. I couldn’t justify the $300 (in Canada) additional cost for the smaller iPad Pro. The Air 2 is perfect for my needs. I also bought a Logitech Type+ keyboard ($119 CAD) and a Jot Dash stylus ($69 CAD) to round off the device.
Very satisfied w/ my iPad mini 4, so sorry Apple~ I think I would buy a new iPad mini with better configuration next year.
I won’t buy the iPhone SE because 2 years ago I bought the iPhone 6. I love it’s size, so to go smaller makes no sense to me. So I’ll probably get the iPhone 7 later this year. I’d prefer the 7 Plus, but it’s tricky for me because I have a hand condition where I get scar tissue forming in the tendons of my hands which over time makes my fingers curl in, and therefore makes it harder to hold things. So when I tried to see what the iPhone 6 Plus was like in my hands…everywhere I’d go to try it out had the phones tied to the counter with that big round connector attached to the back of the phone. It made it very hard for me to get a good grip on it. I’m hoping when the 7 Plus comes out, Apple will let me hold one unattached to the counter so I can truly test it out.
No to both. They are great devices. The 9.7 iPad Pro is especially tempting with it’s keyboard and pencil. But my existing iPhone 5C and iPad Air do everything I need at the moment. Until I run into something I want to do and can’t, software that I want but can’t run on older hardware, or something breaks, I don’t see a need to upgrade.
Before the event I was planning on upgrading my almost 2 year old iPad Air 2. I was all set to pull the trigger then Apple revealed they wont be offering a wifi-only model in the sweet spot of storage, 64GB. 32GB is not enough storage for an iPad and 128GB just puts the price outside what I want to spend. I think I will wait.
Might get an SE but will wait until September to decide.
iPadPro 9.7″ 128gb…I’ve been waiting for years and I think this is the device to replace my PC laptop from 2007
I’m so excited about the SE. 3D Touch is nice but definitely not worth the awkwardness of using a larger phone. I’m also excited to get off the “latest flagship” upgrade track before they drop the headphone jack. Passing the aux cord is still way too common an activity in my life to realistically consider a wireless-only phone. Maybe someday, my favorite (wired) headphones will break and all my friends will have upgraded the stereos in their cars and homes for Our Wireless Future ™. That day is definitely not going to be in 2016.
So, even without night shift and the tvOS upgrades, this was the best Apple press conference in years for me and my little life. I feel like I missed my subway stop and now, finally, the train back is arriving. I don’t have to switch to Android! I don’t have to lose group iMessages or disable weird carrier bloatware or re-purchase like 30 apps!
Finally time to upgrade my iPad. Actually, it is less of an upgrade and more of a replacement. My iPad 2 (2011) finally died this year. I enjoyed it until the very end. Now, I’m looking forward to grabbing the new Pro with Apple Pencil support! Woohoo!
I was hoping to get the new 9.7″ iPad and was looking at getting a 64 GB configuration. Well, that is now not possible. The iPad Pro is either 32 or 128 GB so I’m debating whether to take advantage of the price cut for the iPad Air 2 instead. In either case, I’ll wait until the Missouri sales tax holiday in early August before making a decision.
I’ll finally retire my 5S, and buy 2 new SE’s (64GB). I’m very happy with my iPad Air 2 and will continue with it for a while until the next iPad Air (one that is without a protruding camera)
At $879 for the 128 GB cellular model I am struggling to find motivation to upgrade from the Air 2 with my AT&T next plan ending in June. The 4 speakers, finally improved FaceTime camera are the the most compelling reasons for me to update. $149 for a keyboard and $99 for a pencil puts it at $1127 and $47 more then the 12.9″ model.
The new ambient light adjusting display is nice, but still has the same dpi and resolution as the Air 2. I don’t see myself using the Smart Keyboard on the 9.7″ model. So the smart connector and pencil support really does not matter to me.
My biggest temptation is the $359 I can get for my Air 2 on Amazon’s trade in. Which is about $150 more then other trade in programs.
So, I am thinking of waiting for next 12.9″ model or waiting until fall of 2017 when Apple might put OLED displays in the next 9.7″ model. I could get it when The models start going on sale or see if Verizon offers it for $200 off with 2 year contract like the other iPad’s. That would make it $320 to upgrade with trade in at Amazon and Verizon discount.
No. I just bought a 6s and the original (full sized) iPad Pro. Happy where I am, thank you.
Does anyone know the name of the architectural app shown during the ipad pro presentation yesterday?
My 5s died in September
Had to “downgrade” to a 6s
Will be “upgrading” to the SE ASAP
The new phone has everything I want and nothing I don’t need (3D touch)
I like smaller phones (I’m old and small = premium in my book)
This phone and an upgraded MacBook and I’m set
The iPhone SE is 579$ CAD ! vs the 399$USD ! That is a 145% increase. I dont think the Canadian dollar is 45% lower these days ! I am still thinking about it ! It is 60$ above what I would expect from Apple…
NO!
The prices in europe are not ok. The iPhone SE ist more than 80$ (without tax) higher than in the US. I think Apple don’t want customers in europe. A lot of features are missing too (Apple Pay, News, …).
The phone has Apple Pay and the news app. Go on Apple.com and see for yourself. Unless you mean specifically in the EU.
iPhone SE: very likely to upgrade, once it hits the shelves in my country.
iPad Pro 9.7: not likely to upgrade. Waiting for iPad Pro 7.9. I like my iPad mini 4 way too much to shift to anything physically larger (and I used to own an iPad Air).
I won’t be buying either, instead I will be buying a PowerBall ticket in the hopes that maybe one day I can justify spending a ludicrous amount of money on a closed-garden tablet. In the meantime, my $79 Amazon Fire HD is still working fine and has gotten decidedly more responsive with the latest updates.
I might buy the SE if I can afford it but not the 6S some time in the summer. My iPhone 6’s battery is very unreliable recently and it’d be nice to upgrade to something that’s reliable and has better specs (i’ve been relying on my 4S when my 6’s battery dies, and while its usable it’s quite slow in comparison)
Using an iMac and an iPad 2 has taught me that it’s not worth giving up functionality for form factor–especially at Apple prices. My iPad 2 turned out to be almost useless–especially since updating to IOS 9. And even on my beloved Mac I find myself working largely in a Windows environment. Unfortunately with Apple, form limits function. I love the iPhone as well as Apple’s accessibility features. but please, Apple, give me something I can actually use!
On top of iOS just being unpolished as of late, the iPad 2 is incredibly weak compared to any iPhone from 2012 and on. Even the lowest end iPad mini being sold ($269) is immensely more powerful than what you’ve got. You should remember that iOS is a new OS. It’s progressing in strides compared to a traditional desktop OS, so the hardware it takes to run the latest software reflects that.
I’m contemplating buying one as an upgrade for my 5th gen iPod touch, which is having trouble charging lately…
Personally I’d rather upgrade for a 6s, but for my budget, having almost the same specs for lots of bucks less is more important to me than screen size!
Specs + price > screen size
I won’t be buying either device…
I just got a new 6s Plus about a month ago and a new iPad Pro/Pencil about 2 months ago. I don’t feel cheated by the Pro upgrades on the smaller device…I love my new Pro, it has actually replaced my laptop/desktop. I bought the Pencil and got the Magic Keyboard to pair with the device. I was a pretty heavy Android/Galaxy user, but eventually got fed up with battery life and the overall bugs in the Android system, so I went all in with Apple.
I am glad they didn’t get rid of the iPad Air 2. My wife is looking to switch from Android to Apple in the next few months and the iPad Air 2 would be perfect for her. She likes the big screen of the 13″ Pro (she currently has a Galaxy Note Pro tablet), but she would be fine with a 10″ tablet instead…more portable.
5e, so close yet so far. No 2gb ram, old touchid, no 3dtouch. And same old design. As expected/feared.
The iPad on the other hand
I believe it’s confirmed that the iPhone SE has 2GB of RAM.
Reason is really simple: Some idiot at Apple decided that it’s ok to put protruding camera on the device that normally lies on the table. So every time you write something it will move, not to mention that it will scratch my beautiful natural wood writing desk. I don’t give a f about 12MP camera on iPad and I am sure most people share this view.
this is to encourage you to buy a case – hopefully one of their cases, such as the keyboard case, which will protect the camera bump
Yes make a beautiful device and than use ugly case on it!
a case adds personality…
also… if the phones were bump proof, scratch proof, drop proof etc — then ok, no case need…
plus – i use an apple case… so apple must recognise that sometimes a case is ok…
i also don’t like the iphone 6plus design… i wish i could change but still have 6months left :-(
While aesthetically a bump can be displeasing, I don’t get your concerns about wobbling and scratching. My iPad never “lies on a table”.I write and draw on my iPad Air a lot, nearly every day. I find working with it flat to be very awkward and uncomfortable. I have to have it propped up 30-60 degrees. Low profile protrusions such as the camera just are not an issue.
Well thats you. I use my iPad for writing so its always on the desk.
I was gonna buy one, till i sew the price in NZ, its a great device and would be a great upgrade from a iPad air 1.
I really am starting to dislike Apple. The iPad was an amazing device and I’ve always found the need to buy a third party stylus to be able to take notes etc the way that I do but they weren’t very good. Apple finally makes one but pairs it with a ridiculously large tablet, pretty much forcing me to buy a bigger tablet just so I can finally put the stylus matter to rest….now Apple makes a new iPad Pro…at the size I want, cheaper, works with the Apple Pencil and the “true tone display” thing with double the storage, I’m sorry but they’re no longer loyal to their customers, I bought their highest end mobile device and within just a few months they’ve already made something better (for my needs), why wouldn’t they just release the two at the same time, let the customers buy what they want, and stop trying these tactics to make their sales look better?
Personally i wouldnt mind changing my phone – i don’t like the new iphone 6 design, and my iphone 6 plus just feels like a slab that i carry around…but im not due for an upgrade until later this year when the iphone 7 comes out.
As for the ipad — i would like the ipad with the keyboard at least, but not at that price… ipads are still running a mobile OS that is mostly designed for the iphone — yes they have more power and updated specs BUT the iOS limits it — so for what it can actually do, i would expect a lower price – then it will more tempting… of course if someone was to buy it for me i would be very happy :-P
I don’t see the extra cost of the 9.7″ iPad Pro being reflected in the amount of features. Going generation to generation, we can see that the iPad Pro really wasn’t even the jump it should have been in many regards.
The iPad Air 2 was a formidable tablet. Everything from CPU and GPU performance to RAM amount and thinness all equated to the best iPad and subsequently best tablet on the market. And it showed in a direct comparison to the previous generation iPad Air. The A8x had 1.4x the CPU performance over the A7 in the iPad Air. The GPU again did rounds on the A7, managing about a 200% boost. The Air 2 had double the memory. The Air 2 was thinner. The Air 2 had a better iSight camera. The Air 2 had Touch ID. And it was a less reflective than the Air 1.
By contrast, the 9.7″ Pro, with its A9x, doesn’t manage to best the CPU the A8x by much in multi-core score (geekbench). The GPU does receive quite the little boost because it’s running the standard retina resolution. The 9.7″ Pro has the same amount of RAM as the iPad Air 2. It’s the same thickness. It has better iSight and FaceTime cameras, but now gains a camera bump (great for writing on flat surfaces, I hear), And the Pro even has the same Touch ID as last year. It reflects less, which is good, and the display is better overall, but even that and including two more speakers is not much more than we’ve come to expect from a refresh.
CPU and GPU upgrades are a given, especially since this is an iPad with “Pro” attached to the name, but the RAM remains the same? How can this happen? Part of what makes the iPad Pro what it is is that it offers enough RAM to keep all sorts of applications in the background days after I forgot they were open to begin with. Web pages jump back to life without me blinking an eye. Apple Music (OH! OH!) never quits on me. I could understand Apple jumping to 3GB of RAM to leave some incentive for the larger iPad, but I never thought they’d stick to the same 2GB allotment. I don’t mean to sound like RAM is the only issue, but it’s the biggest that I saw. Many of the improvements to the camera aren’t even essential for a tablet; in fact, with the camera bump, it now makes drawing and writing with Apple Penicl a little more difficult. Plus, who wants to write or drawn on a tablet that isn’t going to sit flush on a flat surface? I’d worry about the metal around the sensor getting scratched. It does have a smart connector and the technology built into the display to allow Apple Pencil input, but that just comes with the name. And at the end of the day, I only see the Smart connector and Pencil layer of the iPad Pro justifying a $100 jump in price. And that’s beyond comical.
The way I see it, this iPad Pro is two simple features over what could be considered a moderate iPad Air 2 upgrade, and those two features really just add the ability to buy Apple accessories for it. I would expect a better display out of the iPad at this point. The iPad Air 2 added a more vibrant display, but it was still largely the same as it’s been since the iPad with Retina Display. And to make things worse, it seems like Apple left all of these display features out of the 12.9″ model just so this model could have a chance out of the gate being $200 cheaper for a lesser performing A9x. This iPad Pro really confuses me. I’m not in the market for a 9.7″ tablet anymore, but seeing how the iPad Pro 9.7″ is 99% standard upgrade we should expect, I wonder if the 12.9″ Pro will receive an equally disappointing upgrade come fall. This newer iPad Pro even manages to affect my outlook on the iPhone 7 and is making 2016 look like an off-year to me.
The iPad Pro 9.7 is a bad idea. What customers DO need is an iPad 3 with – more memory, a bigger processor, a 2 day battery, faster charging – and suitable to go in an iPad 2 case! As for the iPad Pro 9.7 – Who needs a camera or a keyboard or pencil at extra cost. Come on Apple get a grip!!!!!!