Apple Introduces New $399 iPhone SE With Touch ID and 4.7" Screen (techcrunch.com) 180
Apple today unveiled a new iPhone SE, updating the lineup for the first time in four years. It's a 4.7" iPhone with a physical home button, Touch ID, a single rear-facing camera and the A13 Bionic chip on board. With a $399 starting price point, the new SE is aimed squarely at new iPhone users or first time smartphone buyers but could appeal to those who want the smallest iPhone model currently available above other considerations.
Touch ID (Score:4, Interesting)
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Another bonus with the new iPhone SE: no fucking notch.
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I still have an older midrange phone , so no notch or hole punch for me, but I'm not looking forward to replacing it. So many phones have a notch now. I don't understand the problem with having a chin/forehead on the phone at the expense of not having a rectangular screen without a hole in it. Sure, if they could get rid of the chin/forehead without cutting a hole in the screen or resorting to more moving parts (pop up camera) then I would be all for it. But I don't think it's a good trade off to have a m
Shorter but wider than iPhone X (Score:3, Interesting)
The new phone is 138.4mm x 67.3mm x 7.3mm
iPhone X is 143.6mm x 70.9mm x 7.7mm...
So the new phone is shorter, but also wider... and a bit thinner.
The new form factor should be nice, my wife has n iPhone X now but she preferred the size of the iPhone 6 she had before, because it fit better in women's pockets (which for some reason clothes makers usually make absurdly small).
Also specs say new phone has haptic touch, which is interesting as I really thought that was going away...
Too bad it doesn't have FaceID but I can understand with them wanting to keep this model as cheap as possible that probably would not happen.
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How is 70.9mm 67.3mm?
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Stupid ./....
How is 70.9mm < 67.3mm?
Great point, smaller all around... (Score:2)
Somehow I mixed up the comparison of that one metric... :-/
So as with any Slashdot story, I guess ignore my misleading headline and just read the details. :-)
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It's exactly the same size as the iPhone 8. I wonder if iPhone 8 cases will fit, i.e. same button placement.
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It's exactly the same size as the iPhone 8. I wonder if iPhone 8 cases will fit, i.e. same button placement.
Interesting! Looking at iPhone 8 images compared to the new iPhone SE images, the buttons on both sides all look like they are in the same place... so hopefully that would be the case.
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It's exactly the same size as the iPhone 8. wonder if iPhone 8 cases will fit, i.e. same button placement.
Interesting! Looking at iPhone 8 images compared to the new iPhone SE images, the buttons on both sides all look like they are in the same place... so hopefully that would be the case.
I'm guessing pun not intended? But it was funny...
It's an iPhone 8 (Score:2)
With the iPhone 11's chipset.
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Also specs say new phone has haptic touch, which is interesting as I really thought that was going away...
I believe the 3D touch is going away, not haptic touch. So pressing harder on the screen will no longer act as a different event, but you still get the physical feedback of a click.
This (Score:2)
The new form factor should be nice, my wife has n iPhone X now but she preferred the size of the iPhone 6 she had before, because it fit better in women's pockets (which for some reason clothes makers usually make absurdly small).
This is where the value for this phone comes in I think, women (as stated before the pockets in women's clothes are pathetic) and guys who wear skinny jeans. Otherwise you can get a phone for half this price that will likely last you just as long.
Alternative (Score:2)
Why has the Pine Phone not gained any serious momentum?
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Nobody cares that the phone is open source. Microsoft had Billions to spend and couldn't make a dent in the cell phone market.
Open phone (Score:2)
Most would love a more open phone, they just wouldn't realise the benefits, until they are shown. Like when Apple batteries start failing and they are told they can replace v them.
Truth is I would buy a pine phone tomorrow, but it's screen like the new Apple is too small for me. ... But the second they do a tablet, which better be 8" I will snap one up
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Can you use it on networks like Tracfone or other pay as you go services?
so close.. (Score:2)
They just had to make it bigger, I find the current SE to be the perfect size, fits the hand well and I can reach the whole screen without moving my hand.
I was hoping after Ives left they would bring back the headphone jack and start making usable devices again. And before you complain I just got off a 2 hour conf call using a headset. I just don't want to trust bluetooth to that.
At least it has the touchID. And it will be my next phone when my current SE fails for good.
But dang you apple, there is a
Then don't use bluetooth (Score:2)
I was hoping after Ives left they would bring back the headphone jack and start making usable devices again. And before you complain I just got off a 2 hour conf call using a headset. I just don't want to trust bluetooth to that.
Then use the dongle [apple.com] and any wired headset...
I've not had any reason to use a wired headset in nearly four years now though, even with some long calls. I routinely use a paid of bluetooth headphones for meetings that sometimes last around two hours... and listen to music the rest o
Really? (Score:2)
Good luck with that.
https://www.gsmarena.com/compa... [gsmarena.com]
Honestly don't get what people see in iPhones, especially the cut-down shite.
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I used Android phones for years and switched to iPhones. They just work better and operate more smoothly.
Ironically (Score:2)
I used to use iPhones, but having experienced Android I could never go back to such a closed ecosystem, especially at there prices... This is the loser model and they expect £450 for the basic model. My next phone will cost a third of that and come with 5g
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Honestly don't get what people see in Android, especially the low-cost shit which is most of them.
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Funny. According to the link you posted, I'd chose the iPhone in a heartbeat.
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Software updates.
There are iPhones as far back as iPhone 6s that run latest iOS.
On the Android side, there are yet-to-be released phones that will run Android 9 -- the previous major version.
Re: Really? (Score:2)
Updated... Really... from the company that covered up battery failing after a year, blamed users for wanting them replaced in their financial report, and in 2020 launches an obsolete phone with 4.7 " screen without 5g... Seriously without 5g.
A nice option to have on the iOS side of things (Score:2)
I know my wife will be unhappy that it's not the same size as her original-but-aging 4" SE. But this is pretty much the phone I was hoping would be available when the time comes to replace my 6S.
A nice option to have on the iOS side of things (Score:2)
You get her 4g phone, she will be able to party like it's 2018, with a 2015 screen size. He'll you even got her the loser iPhone, she will be pleased.
Been waiting for this (Score:2)
Recently went back to Apple from Android but was using an old unlocked iPhone 7 knowing I'd need an upgrade.. Didn't want to drop the $$ on an 11 since it has no touch ID and no 5G. I figure the 12 will have both face ID and touch ID along with likely being 5g
But this old 7 was really on its last legs battery life wise so the SE will be a great placeholder. /first world problems
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Yeah, if it's the same dimensions as my 7, I may go for it.
$400 is also a lot more attractive than $1200...
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Despite the headlines, you CAN change the battery in it.
I think Apple will charge you $80 for the priviledge, but you can pick up kits from iFixit or Amazon for about $30. Or pay a hole in the wall cellphone repair store about the same and they'll do it for you.
Of course, the iFixit ones are good quality non-exploding batteries (I think they guarantee it), but, eh.
Takes less than 15 minutes to change the battery.
Accept it. (Score:2)
Some people spend $40 on a coffee maker, other people spend $400. Even if a device is a commodity there will be people convinced they need a higher quality device, even if they end up throwing it out after three years in either case.
For me, I'm happy if can get a phone that has a basic camera, a webbrowser and can run a few apps. These days that kind of device costs like $100.
As for the iCloud, Google Drive, etc for your storage. I think it's convenient, as long as you have some way to back up your cloud st
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And some people don't even drink coffee, so they don't even buy a coffee maker.
IPX-7 washable (Score:2)
My Mom (Score:2)
Now if they'd only bring back the headphone jack.. (Score:2)
I might seriously consider one.
Probably very underpowered (Score:2)
Phones got so fast because of the increased size and the space to fit a huge 4000-5000mAh battery. Without it, you would have to recharge them twice a day. This small 4.7 inch phone will either be slow or last a short time.
Hated the iPhone 6 & iPhone9 SE looks same for (Score:3)
Form factor matters. The 9SE has those slippery edges, thin and smooth that I hated on the iPhone 6.
I went back to the iPhone 4s simply because it stays in your pocket. The iPhone 6 was so slippery, it would slide right out.
Wait now for iPhone 12
Re:First-time buyers with too much disposable (Score:5, Interesting)
As being the primary support person of owners with the $999 Samsung Galaxy S20, I'm not sure what you're talking about.
Any good recommendations for brands that have properly implemented a functional Android OS? No ad-laden crap, not having 5 different map apps. The Samsung S20 comes stock with at least 3-4 map apps:
- One from Google
- One from Google Android Auto
- One from the carrier
- One from Samsung
- One is a free version of a handicapped app that asks you to upgrade to a $60 app
And they happen to switch when you enable Android Auto and they randomly reset between default and you can't delete the Google or Samsung ones.
Re:First-time buyers with too much disposable (Score:4, Insightful)
The Galaxy S20 comes with two (2) map apps. Google Maps, which works with Android Auto (it's the same app, it even remembers context between AA mode and normal mode) and the Samsung one.
If your carrier force-installed some crapware then you should not have bought the phone form them. Don't support that crap, buy it from places that leave it stock.
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What is the Samsung Map app? I can't find any reference to it anywhere, it's not in Galaxy Store, etc.
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They used to... Maybe they ditched it, the older Galaxies had it but you could uninstall it. I think it was based on Here maps.
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Maaaan (or lady) that's not for S20 (or for that matter S10 or 9 or 8 or 7 or 7 or 6 or probably even 3 or maybe 2...). It's from the prehistory of Android and actually Nokia/Here Maps were way preferable (and kind of an advantage in the late Nokia and early Microsoft Lumia Phones) because at they time Google Maps didn't cover so many countries with navigation and anyway there was no way to do offline maps (even now it kind of sucks as you need to select rectangles, with Here you can just select countries o
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The Pixel 3a is only $299 now.
Re: First-time buyers with too much disposable (Score:3)
Motorola! Stock vanilla Android and are pretty decent phones for cheap money, if people would just get over their brand snobbery
Re:First-time buyers with too much disposable (Score:5, Insightful)
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It's got the same CPU as the iPhone 11/Pro and Apple claims that it isn't down clocked or crippled in any way. TFA didn't mention other stuff like the camera or battery but they must have saved money somewhere. Well, the screen is only retina, i.e. sub-HD and LCD. It's the same size as an iPhone 8.
These kinds of phones can be very good deals. Take the Pixel 3A for example. You get a decent but not top notch CPU, but the rest of it is excellent. The camera in particular is every bit as good as the Pixel 3 on
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Re:First-time buyers with too much disposable (Score:5, Insightful)
I think it's interesting on Apple's part. Even their inexpensive phones have specs that guarantee longevity. You'll get at least 4 years out of an iPhone SE (battery notwithstanding, though the replacement costs aren't that high) with a CPU like that. It's now faster than my iPhone XR, which is pretty astounding.
I like that Apple tries to make even its less expensive products high-end. I can recommend this phone without the slightest hesitation to people.
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Only compared to other Apple's or Samsung. (Score:2)
You'll get at least 4 years out of an iPhone SE (battery notwithstanding, though the replacement costs aren't that high) with a CPU like that.
Heh, the only value this new Apple phone supplies is relative to other Apple or Samsung phones. I'm fully expecting my Motorola (G7 Power) I payed half this new Apple's price for less than a year ago to go well beyond 4 years.
Sure, my Motorola's processor probably isn't as fast as what this one will have but I'm not a power user, just like the vast majority of other people there is literally nothing I need all that juice for in my phone. Meanwhile my 5,000mAh battery lasts for days of average use between ch
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Is there enough data to know whether or not Motorola will support your phone for that long? 4 years is longer than everyone other than Google themselves at this point, I think.
$400, 4 years of longevity and OS updates, and probably the best camera system you can get on a $400 phone.
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I suppose those are valid points, they're just not things I care about. I don't take a lot of pictures so an adequate camera is adequate and between work and home I'm mostly in front of much more secure computers so I could care less about updates. I suppose if my phone was my computer as it is for many I'd be more concerned about updates but I just can't muster up the energy to care given the most sensitive thing I do on my phone is text my girlfriend and get driving directions.
Meanwhile I get an extra $20
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I got a Motorola X4 Android One phone and while Moto is still putting out security updates they clearly aren't going to give me Android 10. Moto is dead to me. I've bought a dozen or so of their phones over the years but that shit is over.
Re: First-time buyers with too much disposable (Score:2)
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Well, then I guess it means nobody's arguing here, iPhone rulezs!!!!!
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specs
15 years ago called and wants its marketing copy back.
Re: First-time buyers with too much disposable (Score:2)
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Re:First-time buyers with too much disposable (Score:5, Informative)
How many OS updates will that Android get? The iPhone will get five years worth.
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So you're telling me iPhones get more updates, even if the cool stuff is irrelevant/unsupporterd?
I actually don't know, but Pixel phones get a lot of updates, Other Android vendors are often pretty lame, HTC, calling you out. And no matter how long, there is a set of users that are outraged when their phone is abandoned,
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1) Updates include security fixes and bug patches. This has always been true.
2) Yes the Pixel gets a lot of updates. With any other model, it’s a roll of the dice. From what I can tell paying more generally but not always gets better support.
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The Note 8 cost nearly $1k brand new.
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So they have the Microsoft Windows model of abandoning a perfectly good product just to force customers into buying new models. That sucks, because if a phone works well enough today, then it will work well enough for a decade as long as the battery holds out and it doesn't break. And this being a lower cost phone it is indeed marketed to people without the cash to upgrade to the latest fashion every few years.
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What are you talking about? Who is abandoning what exactly? You can still use a first gen iPhone if you want.
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Great. I don't understand the "5 years worth" for upgrades comment then. Did you mean at least 5 years worth?
I know in the past I had a dumb mobile phone that gradually kept losing connectivity as they started replacing access points; sadly this started from the first month I bought it despite having no warnings from the provider at the time I bought it that this would happen. I still kept it a long time, though it had to use more and more power to connect so that eventually I had to charge it daily.
Re: First-time buyers with too much disposable (Score:3)
Those iOS updates are "fragmented", you're not getting the software night sight camera feature on those new iphones. I can install the Google/pixel camera app on my Samsung to get the cool software feature.
Except (Score:2)
"you can get an Android phone with much better specs."
Except for one.
The iPhone is part of the Apple ecosystem which is "better" for many people.
Less Apps (Score:2)
It's an interesting omission when talking about apples ecosystem, that they don't mention Google is king of software... And their app store is 25% more apps that ios
Re: Except (Score:2)
Ecosystem is double speak for lockin
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I don't know how much RAM this comes with and Apple has typically always shipped with less than the top Android phones, but it doesn't appear as though they've compromised
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It's actually designed based on the iPhone 5/5s. The one derived from the 6/6s is the iPhone 8, which I'm hoping will be updated next.
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Wait, no, I'm wrong. Google searches are mixing up the old and new designs. :-/ WHY in the name of ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY did Apple's product marketing folks allow them to sell a product with the same model name and a completely different screen size?
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Because at 399$USD, the Apple marketing folks re-used "SE" means "low cost" (relatively speaking to other iPhones). The first iPhone SE was also a low-cost model with an up-to-date CPU and relatively new features. It has nothing to do with screen size.
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Every other phone in Apple's history has had exactly one screen size per model. Apple could have called it SE+ and there would be no confusion, but now, it's a headache for everybody, from developers to users.
But the bigger problem is that for people who actually liked the smaller screen size, this naming means it's the end of the line. Apple can never release another 4" phone without causing massive confusion.
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They've had stupid naming conventions since the beginning. The iPad models colloquially called the third- and fourth-generation iPads have the official names of "The new iPad" and the "iPad with Retina display". Guess which one was the first with a Retina display? If you thought, it's the one that's called the "iPad with Retina display", you guessed wrong.
If I sold my ancient-ass third-generation iPad now and advertised it as "The new iPad" what are the odds my buyer will be happy with what he gets?
Confusin
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Nobody knows how much RAM it comes with. It's not even listed in the technical specs. That's just par for the course with Apple though. I was watching an MKBHD video about the new iPad. He said his came with X GB of RAM and he asked Apple how much RAM the other models would come with. They would not tell him how much RAM the different models would come with. They said the users would find out when they got them. That's litterally insane. I understand why they wouldn't want to make it a marketing point on th
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To be honest, I doubt that... it's got the A13 innards, same as the iPhone 11 / 11 Pro. In terms of high end phone in small form factor it's quite unique, because of the small screen and latest process generation the battery life is usually exceptionally good. Also likely to have 5 years of support, that the low end Androids will never have. I have the original SE and just asked work for the SE2. It's exactly the upgrade I was looking for, but of course it's not for everyone. It's not a flagship phablet but
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The thing is, most people don't need better specs, although a better camera is always welcome.
I wonder if this is really meant for first time buyers. Perhaps it is for people who actually *want* a smaller, more minimalist phone.
Re: First-time buyers with too much disposable (Score:2)
Yeah, typical dumbass Hater.
I can get an $Product much cheaper, and with much better specs, than Apple.
But, as usual, not one single example.
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For that kind of money, you can get an Android phone with much better specs.
My perceptions are still colored by my initial smartphone experience. I take claims about superior Android specs with a grain of salt.
My first smartphone was back in the Froyo days. I bought an LG Android phone which was not top of the line, but it had a decent-at-the-time processor and 256MB of RAM. At that time, I already owned a 2-year-old iPod Touch... it had only 128MB of RAM, and an (obviously) 2-year-old processor. But in terms of responsiveness (both of the OS and the apps themselves), that iPod con
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We had a similar experience around the same time. I bought an Android phone for my wife who wanted a new phone. It was junk, so we tossed it in a drawer and bought a Blackberry Curve.
She still has a Blackberry, but it's secretly an android. She finally gave up her Classic for a KEYone. It's been a major disappointment. Of course, she was a power user and so misses all of the the convenience features she'd come to rely on with her BB.
iOS would, obviously, be a serious problem for her. I'm sure it's fin
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iOS would, obviously, be a serious problem for her. I'm sure it's fine for playing, but it couldn't possibly keep up with her for work.
What does that even mean?
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Unfortunately those Android phones are loaded with shovelware, which I tolerate for software diversity but would greatly prefer to delete and I'm far from alone.
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You really can't, though. The hardware specs of the new iPhone SE are suprisingly good, and are more comparable to a $600 Android phone than a $400 one.
Arguably worse (Score:2)
It's worse in every way than my 2year ok mi max 2 which cost a third of the price and has bigger screen, expandable storage. The only exception to its awful specification is the processor which is fantastic. It makes it equivalent to £100 Android phones, with a £300 Android chip...only it has the unique selling point of iOS, which might mean something to you, but I personally don't want to step backwards.
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The primary difference between the new iPhone SE and your 2 year old generic Android phone is that you'll still be able to get security and software updates for it 3 years from now. You're probably already struggling to get the latest Android releases on your existing phone.
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I got my iphone 6s about three years ago for less than that (that's full out purchase to go with a prepaid plan). However all the Android options at the time were over $800 until you got to the really skanky models, and they didn't have a pre-paid option so you signed a long term contract and paid the phone off over a couple years or more. I didn't even want an iPhone, but at AT&T the older model iPhone was the most economical choice by far, and that appealed to the miser in me.
Lol (Score:2)
Seriously,
News for nerds is clearly letting you down. The midrange smartphone has been king for some time you can get a flagship challenger for £300, and the are many options.
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The Pixel 3a was/is entirely capable, priced right. Even the XL.
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Palm nailed it back then. If only the screens were a little tougher....(:
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But it worked. And Graffiti was elegant. I still write quick notes in it... Wish I could use a Graffiti keyboard on my Pixel instead of Swype/GBoard.
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For that matter, while we're talking about things that will never happen, bring back the Blackberry Bold. The perfect size and perfect keyboard.