Demand for iPhone SE is 'Very Strong,' Exceeds Available Supply

Tuesday April 26, 2016 2:14 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Apple hasn't divulged sales numbers for the recently released iPhone SE, but during today's second quarter earnings call, company executives said that demand for the device was "very strong" and higher than expected.

According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, the iPhone SE puts Apple in a strategic plan to attract new customers with its affordable price point and powerful internal specifications. Cook says Apple is working hard to meet demand and improve shipping times for the device.

iphonese

We're thrilled with the response that we've seen on it. It is clear that there is a demand there even much beyond what we thought. That is really why we have the constraint that we have.

Since its release, the iPhone SE has been in short supply despite reports of lackluster sales. For the past several weeks, new iPhone SE orders have listed expected delivery times of two to three weeks, suggesting Apple has not yet been able to meet demand for the device.

Priced attractively at $399 for the entry-level 16GB model, the iPhone SE adopted the external design of the iPhone 5s with parts sourced from later iPhone models like the iPhone 6 and the 6s. The result is a 4-inch iPhone that is on par performance wise with Apple's current flagship devices.

Positive news about the iPhone SE comes as Apple is reporting its first ever decline in iPhone sales and its first year-over-year decline in revenue in 13 years. During the quarter, Apple sold 51 million iPhones, down from 61 million in Q2 2015. Revenue was at $50.6 billion, down from $58 billion in the year-ago quarter.

Apple's guidance for Q3 2016 suggests it expects the downward trend to continue, with the company forecasting expected revenue of $41-43 billion. In Q3 2015, Apple posted revenue of $49.6 billion.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Apple Just Made Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever After Beats

Thursday January 29, 2026 10:07 am PST by Joe Rossignol

Apple today confirmed to Reuters that it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup that is working on artificial intelligence technology for audio. Apple paid close to $2 billion for Q.ai, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone and audio brand Beats in 2014. Q.ai has...

• 135 comments

Apple Unveils First New Products of 2026

Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by Joe Rossignol

Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch. Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...

iPhone 5s Gets New Software Update 13 Years After Launch

Monday January 26, 2026 3:56 pm PST by Juli Clover

Alongside iOS 26.2.1, Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12 for devices that are still running that operating system update, eight years after the software was first released. iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013,...

• 131 comments

Apple's Next Launch is Today

Tuesday January 27, 2026 2:39 pm PST by Joe Rossignol

Update: Apple Creator Studio is now available. Apple Creator Studio launches this Wednesday, January 28. The all-in-one subscription provides access to the Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage apps, with U.S. pricing set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year. A subscription to Apple Creator Studio also unlocks "intelligent features" and "premium...

Apple Responds to Skyrocketing RAM and Storage Chip Prices

Thursday January 29, 2026 2:40 pm PST by Joe Rossignol

On an earnings call with equity analysts today, Apple CEO Tim Cook responded to fast-rising RAM and SSD storage chip prices in the supply chain. Prices for RAM and NAND storage chips are surging lately due to high demand from companies building out AI servers, resulting in supply constraints. Cook said that rising memory chip prices had a "minimal impact" on Apple's gross margin in the...

• 66 comments

Top Rated Comments

Benjamin Frost

128 months ago

Apple should never have stopped selling a 4" iPhone, as the SE demand testifies. Cook said he was surprised at the strength of demand, and that it was a lot higher than he had anticipated.

That, to me, shows his blindness of strategy. For Apple to abandon the optimal form factor for two years was cretinous, and bodes badly for the future as long as Cook is CEO.

Score: 48 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Mac 128

128 months ago

We're thrilled with the response that we've seen on it. It is clear that there is a demand there even much beyond what we thought. That is really why we have the constraint that we have.

No Tim, the reason you have the supply constraints you have is because you insist on making 16GB the base configuration. The SE customers are smarter than that. There's plenty of 16GB SEs out there. The supply constraint is on the 64GB models.

Every Apple Store in Los Angeles was out of every 64GB model for every carrier, but they had loads of 16GB models they couldn't give away.

Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)

jayducharme

128 months ago

I was confident this phone would sell well. IMO, it's a better size for a pocket device. But the big selling point is the internal hardware. I now have a 4" phone that's not a technological compromise. It's got a fast processor, plenty of memory and storage (at least the 64 gb version) and a great camera. It's exactly what I was looking for, and I assume there must have been others with the same opinion.

Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)

ThomasJL

128 months ago

This is a clear sign that there is strong demand for a 4-inch form factor iPhone. Considering how clueless Tim Cook is, he will probably fail to make the connection and thus choose not to release a 4-inch iPhone 7 in the fall.

Instead of a 4-inch iPhone 7 in the fall, what we'll likely get according to the most reliable Apple product predictor on the planet, Ming-Chi Kuo, will be a 4.7 and 5.5 inch iPhone 7. A key feature in Cook's mind is a missing headphone jack. Cook believes it's more convenient for consumers to have a slimmer phone while carrying an adapter for their headphones.

Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)

syndr0me

128 months ago

I went from a 6+ to an SE, and I like everything about it better.

It's way easier to hold, especially without a case. The square edges are superior.
The round volume buttons are much easier to differentiate.
The power button makes more sense on top. It's nice that its location matches the new iPad Pro which I also use frequently.
It fits perfectly for one hand use.
Fits in the front pocket of jeans that aren't huge.
I can still do just about everything I did before on the small screen without much compromise.

Cons? The lower contrast screen and increased distance from the glass to the LCD are noticeable. I never had force touch or TouchID2, so I can't comment on those. It's not as nice to view photos.

Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)