Mike Wuerthele
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the iPhone SE 2 is imminent and will launch in the spring, much like the original iPhone SE did — but it may not be exactly what fans are looking for.
In a research note seen by AppleInsider, Ming-Chi Kuo believes that a new "iPhone SE 2" will incorporate the A13 processor, and 3GB of RAM. Users looking for a small device may be disappointed, as he believes the "form factor design and hardware spec are similar to iPhone 8."
According to the note, the driving force behind the "iPhone SE 2" isn't a smaller size, but a lower cost. Kuo says that it will appeal to the 100 million people who are still using a phone in the iPhone 6 series.
Kuo says that the driving force behind Apple releasing a current model priced at a lower cost than the iPhone 11 are users still getting used to the iOS ecosystem, those on a limited budget, and iPhone users not interested in new features like multiple cameras and Face ID. Convincing hold-out users to update to a newer version that will use Apple's services well is potentially a reason as well.
Up to 40 million units of the rumored "iPhone SE 2" are predicted to sell in calendar year 2020.
This is not the first rumor that discusses the possibility that a possible "iPhone SE 2" will be the size of the iPhone 8. The first discussions of that being the case were in Septemberin September, just prior to the iPhone 11 release.
Existing Apple suppliers expected to benefit are FII, Catcher, and Jabil for casing pieces and casting.
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71 Comments
All of that seems to make sense, especially as phones seem to get bigger. An iPhone 8 is basically a small-ish phone these days. I don't know that this is a rumor, though. That is, unless his predictions are themselves based on previous unnamed sources?
I would more surprised if Apple WASN'T planning a far less expensive iPhone and launched mid-cycle to the fall premium devices. There are a couple of companies who do just that now (ie Pixel 3a), premium in the fall and more value-oriented in the Spring which seems to work pretty well.
I suspect some here will be surprised at how popular a sub-$600 iPhone model that's not simply a holdover from another year might be. Plastic casing, LED display, smaller battery and 2 lens camera might be enough for Apple to price one at $449 at launch and sell great. Perhaps Apple didn't care about the lower end of the market once upon a time. That time has changed IMO.
There's a lot of really good and even excellent current hardware smartphones now at prices far less than $1K, and why wouldn't Apple want a part in it?
It’s really not a SE 2 if it’s the size of the iPhone 8. Some people want a smaller form factor more than they want a budget iPhone. There’s already a XR and they’re still selling the iPhone 8. Apple just won’t listen to their customers.
My friends who cannot hold and use the larger phones without intense physical pain in their hands will not be pleased.
My wife & others do not want a large iPhone. They all want an SE2 form factor. Easy to pocket and easy to hold. On this - I think Apple has missed the importance.