A huge number of iPhone users may buy iPhone SE, says survey

Affordability and 5G seems to prompt an upgrade

Apple’s iPhone SE 2022 with 5G looks set for strong interest from the get-go, with around 16% of existing iPhone users considering it as a second device or gift and 24% potentially ready to buy one for themselves.

Widening the market

Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone SE 2022 on March 8. Equipped with an A15 chip this will be Apple’s most affordable 5G device, though price has not been disclosed at time of writing.

As introduced in 2020, the outgoing iPhone SE was really well-received and generated around 22% of all iPhone sales in its first full quarter of availability. To figure out if Apple can manage a repeat performance, SellCell surveyed 2,500 iPhone users to find out what they think.

There’s plenty of data buried in the report, but it seems interesting that iPhone 11 owners are already considering an upgrade to iPhone SE.

This almost certainly represents a congregation of users who didn’t get the chance for 5G when they chose their new device in 2019-20. They surmise (probably correctly) that the trade-in value they’ll get swapping an 11 for an SE5G will deliver a slight cash bonus.

The main findings include:

• 40% of the total (2,549 respondents) surveyed stated that they would purchase the iPhone SE 3 2022 either for themselves or for someone else. 24% say they will purchase the device for themselves, while 16% plan to buy one as a second device or gift.
• iPhone 11 users lead the trade-in charge, with the handset accounting for 11.5% of models that owners intend to part ways with once the SE 3 2022 arrives.

• 30% of those thinking of buying an iPhone SE3 are doing so thanks to its comparatively inexpensive price point.
• Other reasons for investing in the iPhone SE 3 2022 include upgrading from an old handset (25.5%), 5G capabilities (15.2%), its compact form factor (11.3%), and for the retro home button (Touch ID) (6.7%).

Who is it for?

Interesting insights in who the device will be for.

• 59.5% plan one for themselves (an additional 9.2% intend purchasing an SE as a second device).
• 10.9% intend purchasing one of these for their kids.
• 10.2% of purchases will be for parents and spouses.
• Grandparents (4.5%), and other family members account for (3.4%) of intended recipients.

Why upgrade?

People’s reasons to upgrade include upgrading from an old handset (25.5%), 5G capabilities (15.2%), its compact form factor (11.3%), and for the retro home button (Touch ID) (6.7%).

Of those who didn’t intend to upgrade, (66.2%) say they are still happy with their existing iPhone model, (9.3%) are waiting for the new iPhone 14 to launch, (4.1%) say it’s too small and (3.0%) say it’s not premium enough.

There’s quite a lot more detail in the SellCell report which is here.

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