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Forget the iPhone 8, this all-screen iPhone SE is all the smartphone you need

Published Nov 4th, 2016 10:38AM EDT
iPhone SE vs. iPhone 8
Image: Apple

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Two years ago, Apple introduced iPhones with larger screens because almost everyone seemed to want one. In the process, it ignored those customers who preferred the smaller iPhone form factor. Then, earlier this year, it fixed that mistake by launching an iPhone SE smartphone that’s as big as the iPhone 5s, but sports iPhone 6s-like hardware.

It’s likely that the 4-inch iPhone will not go away as long as there’s a market for it, and Apple may have to release upgraded versions in the coming years. One of the best things Apple could do with the handset is to increase the size of the display without modifying its dimensions.

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How would that be possible? Well, Apple’s iPhone 8 series is rumored to ditch the home button, which will be relocated under the display, complete with Touch ID functionality and every other feature associated with it. By removing the physical home button, Apple can go for an all-screen design on its iPhones, and significantly increase display real estate. Bezels would either disappear completely, or they’d be greatly reduced, just like on the Xiaomi Mi Mix to make room for more screen space.

Considering Apple’s endeavor to go for a design uniformity across products, it would make sense to see an updated iPhone SE version ship with a slightly larger screen in the same body.

On the other hand, the iPhone SE does ship without 3D Touch support, so it’s not a faithful miniaturized version of the iPhone 6s. Costs concerns are likely to blame, as Apple is also looking to make money on the smallest and cheapest iPhone in its lineup.

Meanwhile, DBS Designing imagined an iPhone SE concept that features an all-screen design. Sure, the handset they envision comes with absurd specs that will never be part of any iPhone SE upgrade coming in the near future. But what is exciting is the idea of having an all-screen iPhone SE successor in the future.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7Cp2f6-fSxa8oxgBCxcIAA

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.