Rumor: 'iPhone SE 2' to debut in September with TrueDepth camera
According to the latest industry scuttlebutt out of China, production of a refreshed iPhone SE smartphone has not yet started, suggesting Apple plans to debut the device alongside flagship models in September.
Citing a Chinese accessory manufacturer that exhibited wares at the Japan IT Week Spring Mobile Solutions Expo, Mac Otakara reports Apple's iPhone SE successor is unlikely to make an appearance in the second quarter of 2018. Previous predictions pegged a due date sometime this spring, mirroring the original iPhone SE's launch in March of 2016.
Apple is currently evaluating "several" models of the next-generation device, but has yet to decide on a final design, the source said. At least one iteration sports a 4-inch form factor identical to existing SE hardware, while another boasts a massive 6-inch screen.
The company will ultimately pick one model for public release. Whether the prototyping process is in early engineering validation test (EVT) phases or more mature design validation test (DVT) stages is unknown.
Echoing rumors aired earlier this week, an unnamed glass manufacturer claims Apple is considering three types of prototype glass to incorporate into the upcoming handset. More importantly, specifications call for a full-face design with TrueDepth "notch" and no cutout for a Touch ID home button, suggesting "iPhone SE 2" will make the switch to Face ID biometric authentication. Why the glass requires a physical notch cutout instead of an ink mask was left unexplained.
On Thursday, accessory manufacturer Olixar produced a render of the forthcoming phone based on what is believed to be schematics data leaked from Apple's supply chain. As with most "leaks" from third-party manufacturers, the information should be taken with a hefty grain of salt. Accessory makers bet on early -- often incorrect -- data in attempts to gain a leg up on competition.
Until now, a majority of rumors point to a successor model featuring a largely unchanged aesthetic, save for a glass back to facilitate wireless charging.
While Apple is perhaps considering a transition to a larger display and the inclusion of cutting-edge TrueDepth technology, the final product will likely be a simple specification upgrade to keep pricing low and prevent product cannibalization.
Today's report runs counter to regulatory filings lodged with the Eurasian Economic Commission in April. The documents, which typically foreshadow a near-future hardware release, gave Apple the green light to sell a heretofore unknown iPhone bearing 11 unique model numbers in countries including Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia.
Citing a Chinese accessory manufacturer that exhibited wares at the Japan IT Week Spring Mobile Solutions Expo, Mac Otakara reports Apple's iPhone SE successor is unlikely to make an appearance in the second quarter of 2018. Previous predictions pegged a due date sometime this spring, mirroring the original iPhone SE's launch in March of 2016.
Apple is currently evaluating "several" models of the next-generation device, but has yet to decide on a final design, the source said. At least one iteration sports a 4-inch form factor identical to existing SE hardware, while another boasts a massive 6-inch screen.
The company will ultimately pick one model for public release. Whether the prototyping process is in early engineering validation test (EVT) phases or more mature design validation test (DVT) stages is unknown.
Echoing rumors aired earlier this week, an unnamed glass manufacturer claims Apple is considering three types of prototype glass to incorporate into the upcoming handset. More importantly, specifications call for a full-face design with TrueDepth "notch" and no cutout for a Touch ID home button, suggesting "iPhone SE 2" will make the switch to Face ID biometric authentication. Why the glass requires a physical notch cutout instead of an ink mask was left unexplained.
On Thursday, accessory manufacturer Olixar produced a render of the forthcoming phone based on what is believed to be schematics data leaked from Apple's supply chain. As with most "leaks" from third-party manufacturers, the information should be taken with a hefty grain of salt. Accessory makers bet on early -- often incorrect -- data in attempts to gain a leg up on competition.
Until now, a majority of rumors point to a successor model featuring a largely unchanged aesthetic, save for a glass back to facilitate wireless charging.
While Apple is perhaps considering a transition to a larger display and the inclusion of cutting-edge TrueDepth technology, the final product will likely be a simple specification upgrade to keep pricing low and prevent product cannibalization.
Today's report runs counter to regulatory filings lodged with the Eurasian Economic Commission in April. The documents, which typically foreshadow a near-future hardware release, gave Apple the green light to sell a heretofore unknown iPhone bearing 11 unique model numbers in countries including Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia.
Comments
No clue of what or when.
The entire Apple staff is on a 6 month sabbatical.
The interns released the cut down iPad.
Nothing else has been released.
Time for AI to advocate using PCs for Macs!
This is just me thinking out loud but with WWDC around the corner could be a line-up shuffle?
iPhone SE (2nd generation, sometime soon)
- 4” LCD
iPhone 7, 7 Plus (or 8/8 Plus in the current 6s tier)
- 4.7” & 5.5” LCD
iPhone {something}, {something} Plus (follow up to the iPhone 8 tier, with newer tech at a similar price point, allowing them to rationalize the iPhone product line a bit)
- 4.7”/4.8” & 6.1" LCD (with the 4.8 being about the size of the SE)
iPhone X, X Plus (2nd generation)
- 5.8" & 6.5” OLED
It is a possibility Apple will choose to slightly tweak the screen size in future models while still adhering to the 4” form factor, or even abandon the SE line altogether if they determine users are less enamored with smaller phones than they were two years ago (however I find a kill-off of the SE less likely, as it has already proven itself a popular segment, and is central to Apple’s strategy for entering India’s phone market). More likely is that Apple keeps it around as the Mac Mini equivalent to the iPhone — a compact, inexpensive, less feature-rich model that serves as both a gateway and niche product to the iPhone line. But this notion that the SE will suddenly re-emerge as a jumbo-screen budget alternative to the more profitable flagship models is nothing but a pipe dream.
(As for Canada pricing, who knows what is going on there. It may have nothing to do with the iPhone X.)
I've had a 6+ since it came out. Would like it smaller, to be honest. I think the SE form factor is great.
Getting larger screens in those devices without faceID camera system supply demands.
Everyone else is shotgunning rumours why can't I.
As for the new phones, I think the image we've seen that represented Ming-Chi Kuo's parting gift are probably right -- an iPhone X "family" at various sizes/prices
In short, I think Apple will offer six phones in September (the iPhone 7/7Plus and SE may survive briefly while supplies last, but will be cleared out ASAP in my estimate), ranging from the budget SE 2 to the low-mid iPhone 8/8Plus (which will still have Touch ID), and the low-premium 6.1-inch X model alongside the two "regular" iPhone X models (which have FaceID)
Poor iPhone 9, we never knew ye.