AppleInsider Staff
Another day, another "iPhone SE 2" accessory leak. An alleged photograph of what is claimed to be Target's merchandise stocking system reveals an unreleased Zagg screen protector compatible with iPhone 6, 7, 8 and an as-yet-unreleased "iPhone 9."
Shared to Twitter by YouTube vlogger Jon Prosser, the picture shows stock information for what is presumably a Zagg InvisibleShield series protective cover designed to fit a rumored "iPhone 9" device rumored to launch in the coming weeks.
Specifically, the listing notes an "[iPhone] 6/7/8/9" accessory that sells for $29.99, the exact price of currently available InvisibleShield products. Alleged compatibility with older iPhone models echoes past reports that claim the so-called "iPhone 9," also referred to as "iPhone SE 2," will share a design with 4.7-inch iPhone 8.
The purported Target location from which the photo was taken does not have stock of the item on hand, though the product is expected to sell in stores and online.
Today's supposed leak follows reports of Best Buy employees receiving a cache of "iPhone SE 2" cases from Urban Armor Gear.
The recent glut of accessories for an as-yet-unannounced device should come as no surprise, as third-party case manufacturers, in a bid to be first to market, often release products shortly before a new Apple device is predicted to launch. Firms often rely on leaked schematics or industry rumors to design and manufacture first-run accessories.
Apple is widely rumored to launch a so-called "iPhone SE 2" or "iPhone 9" in the second quarter of 2020. Targeting cost-conscious consumers, the handset is expected to pair an external design borrowed from the 2-year-old iPhone 8 with contemporary innards like an A13 Bionic processor with 3GB of RAM. The tech giant made a similar move with the first iPhone SE iteration, packing a then-current A9 system-on-chip into the handset.
Initially expected to see release in March, recent rumors suggest "iPhone SE 2" will be announced on April 15 ahead of wide availability on April 22.
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18 Comments
So let's review:
1. It's not an SE 2, it's an improved iPhone 8.
2. Ming-Chi Kuo is and has been wrong about this (he was the one who coined the term "iPhone SE 2"). The main selling point of the iPhone SE was its size, so this alleged iPhone 9 really has zippity-do-dah to do with an iPhone SE.
Personally I don't care -- wasn't looking to downsize (literally) from my iPhone XR, but I know more than a few people who will be very disappointed at this. Still, the iPhone 8 can finally be discontinued and the "iPhone 9" should make a great addition to the lineup, but Mr. Kuo and others referring to this as a "low-cost" iPhone are likely as wrong about that as they were about their nomenclature.
An iPhone 9 isn’t an SE2. People buy the SE because of the smaller size.
It’s possible that Apple never makes another SE, and just upgrades the iPhone 8.
Apple’s lovely little iPhone SE is no more. 4,7-inch is in the current market the amazingly small smartphone compared with other brands. Sony shipdropped the compact XZ1 line some time ago and no new real compact XZx arose after that happened. The 5-inch smartphones are also nowhere to be seen. Screen real estate is to blame with all the new add on services we see being developed and introduced. The use of the iPhone has changed as well as the user and install base. Augmented and virtual reality are rising as well as the under development artificial intelligence. 2007 is history so is the usage of smartphones.
Any thoughts if this new “iPhone 9” will also be offered in a 5.5” Plus model? I would prefer that. In addition, I can understand having an entry level 64GB and/or a 128GB, for certain markets, but I personally would prefer at least a 256GB. However, I would instantly purchase, as the high end iPhone 9 Plus model, 5.5” display, 512GB, Touch ID , no notch, A13 Bionic, Dual 12MP Wide and Telephoto cameras, 7MP FaceTime HD Camera, 4GB of RAM, for under $800!
Consider the 100+ Apple Arcade subscription apps, many weighing in at around 2GB, Movies, Photos, Books, both audio and standard, Audible, Podcasts and then add a couple hundred apps. It would be the perfect, lower cost, sans Face ID, developer model. It shouldn’t be to much of an increase in price with the cost of memory continuing to drop. Look at the lower cost, recent bump to the Mac Mini and the sub $999 MacBook Air starting at 256GB, on up to 2TB.
What are your thoughts? Would you want one?
Am I just dreaming?
The SE was not about size it was about retooling, using already proven paid for technologies. the SE was a retooled iphone 5/5S chassis with all new internals, the new 'low cost' iPhone will probable be a retooled iphone 8 with updated internals. People bought the SE for size, its almost certain that modern internals no longer fit inside the iPhone 5 chassis, and there are certainly no production lines left for that size model.