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Comment by bdrool | Hacker News Reader

The article mentions the iPhone SE and how its expected sales are not expected to offset the slowdown of the iPhone 6s and 6s+ sales. I realized I had forgotten the SE even existed (even though it was just been announced a few weeks ago) until this article reminded me of it.

To me, this is just further confirmation that Apple's product line is a complete mess. Just go to (apple.com/iphone/compare) or (apple.com/ipad/compare) and look at how ridiculous it is. Can anyone really tell me which one of those models is "best"? There is no clear winner -- the ones with the bigger screen sizes and storage capacity don't have the latest CPUs or other features. Anyone remember the simple "Good, Better, Best" models of Powerbooks?

It is starting to feel like Apple is overdue for a product line simplification, like when the four quadrant product grid was first introduced:

https://youtu.be/VkVs4ZqWgN8

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What are you taking about? Contrary to your statement, the larger screen iPhones do have the latest features and largest storage capacities.

Even if that were not true - it is irrelevant since most people chose based on size rather than spec comparison.

From an instinct perspective I definitely agree with you. Apple shouldn't be selling any computers that aren't retina, they're taking too long to get rid of the MacBook Air, the iPad line is too crowded, etc.

However, Apple isn't the same company that Steve Jobs returned to. Apple sells an astounding amount of devices today so it's only natural that their products vary more to address more of the market.

If I only wanted to buy a Macbook Air, which product would I buy instead once they discontinue that model?

Based on http://daringfireball.net/linked/2016/04/14/march-air I'd say it will be replaced by a similar model, just without the 'Air' branding.

I feel the same way, but I think that that feeling might be wrong.

A difference between 1997 and today is that today Apple's barely coherent product line is incredibly successful and consistently making profit and selling on a scale which is totally unlike twenty years ago.

Agreed. They need to ditch 3D Touch (the sticking point for cramming a full 6S into a 5S case, afaik) and have three otherwise identical iPhones with different screens, ditto for iPads.

I would prefer they instead make "deep press" do the same thing as "long press", for devices that support it. That seems far more useful than the "peek and pop" thing 3D touch currently does.

How does taking away that feature so that the low end iPhone 'matches' the high end ones provide any value whatsoever to anyone?

Some of us prefer the smaller size but would otherwise like the same features.

I would certainly agree that 3D touch is the one feature I could definitely do without. I never use it on my 6S.

I've heard people say they don't use it. I've recently come back to iphone after a year with a moto x. I love 3d touch. Particularly using the keyboard as a virtual trackpad on the phone (for moving the cursor around in text areas).

I also use it extensively in safari, on both the iphone and macbook pro.

I don't use the mail app, and it didn't seem helpful there... what good is a popup of a message if my thumb is blocking the view?

But the keyboard cursor and safari are pretty handy. I could see it working well with app shortcuts on the home screen too, but I guess I haven't found a need yet.

But how would taking that feature away from other users make any difference to you?

Because the only two things that distinguish an SE from a 6S is 3D Touch (a stupid gimmick) and the newer TouchID sensor (I assume because of supply constraints). Everything else is the same.

How would making them the same by taking away features add value for anybody?

I like 3d touch and use it often on both my phone and macbook pro.

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