Apple's $399 'iPhone SE 2' pegged for March 2020 release
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reports that the so-called "iPhone SE 2" will begin mass production in January, ahead of a launch at the end of March 2020.
The original iPhone SE
In research materials seen by AppleInsider, regularly reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is claiming that Apple will begin mass production of what's referred to as the "iPhone SE 2" in January. It's not know what the model's name will be, but Kuo says that it will launched at the end of March.
He expects Apple to sell between two and four million of the "iPhone SE 2" per month, similar to the volume of the original iPhone SE. Other analysts have also predicted strong sales.
Kuo is confirming his own previous reports of a launch at around this timeframe. In those earlier notes he said that the "iPhone SE 2" would resemble an iPhone 8 style of design, and would retail from $399.
The iPhone SE 2 is expected to have the same 4.7-inch display as the iPhone 8, but utilize the A13 processor that's currently in the iPhone 11 paired with 3GB of application RAM. Kuo has said that it will feature an updated antenna design that uses Liquid Crystal Polymer.
However, Kuo does not expect the phone to have Face ID, both because of the desire to make it low cost, and because he says there's low demand for it at that price point.
The original iPhone SE
In research materials seen by AppleInsider, regularly reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is claiming that Apple will begin mass production of what's referred to as the "iPhone SE 2" in January. It's not know what the model's name will be, but Kuo says that it will launched at the end of March.
He expects Apple to sell between two and four million of the "iPhone SE 2" per month, similar to the volume of the original iPhone SE. Other analysts have also predicted strong sales.
Kuo is confirming his own previous reports of a launch at around this timeframe. In those earlier notes he said that the "iPhone SE 2" would resemble an iPhone 8 style of design, and would retail from $399.
The iPhone SE 2 is expected to have the same 4.7-inch display as the iPhone 8, but utilize the A13 processor that's currently in the iPhone 11 paired with 3GB of application RAM. Kuo has said that it will feature an updated antenna design that uses Liquid Crystal Polymer.
However, Kuo does not expect the phone to have Face ID, both because of the desire to make it low cost, and because he says there's low demand for it at that price point.
Comments
Price is obviously the big draw here, filling out Apple's low end but providing more than enough power for a couple of years.
Since 2017, Apple has widened the product spread. This year it caught up with competition in some key hardware areas and next year the 'SE2' might fill out the bottom line with new hardware.
I think these were clear and necessary moves. If this rumour plays out, it will be one of the last major pieces to be laid on the table.
Put lipstick on a pig and you still have a pig.
Put an A13 into an iPhone 8 and you still got an iPhone 8.
Side note, if they started selling new 57 Chevy's with any drivetrain I'd be all for it! Plus they did have factory AC back in 57, it was just an option though...
I understand your viewpoint, but not necessarily agree with what you suggest Apple should be doing. If I understand correctly, you are expecting/suggesting Apple to use iPhone X/Xs/11 design and keep the bezels to a minimum and keep the original external size of iPhone SE which can accommodate a larger display (say 4.7 inches) in the same frame as SE. And then charge the customers what it takes to make such a phone with usual margins accounting for all other costs. "If it costs $599 or $699 to the end-user, so be it" seems to be your thought process. And I agree that MANY of the posters in this forum have suggested as such.
But in the real world, things do not work out like that. Apple has to rely on the data from marketing channels on what the "majority" of the "potential buyers" are willing to pay for an SE sized phone as one of the key inputs (not the only one, of course), which posters in Internet forums can choose to ignore. With that additional input and few other aspects (Integrating FaceID components that will likely occupy the entirety of the tiny frame making sure that forehead would be thick in any case spoiling the full screen design, FaceID vs Touch ID, cost of designing & manufacturing a "new" phone Vs reusing an existing design and refreshing the components, product segmentation and so on), Apple has "probably" chosen (not confirmed by Apple yet) to go down the path of refreshing iPhone 8 with SoC and RAM as a viable option for SE2. And it makes sense to me, considering the product mix and price points for various iPhones.
GeorgeBMac talks about the design (big chin and forehead) of iPhone 8 as obsolete, which is true and a fair criticism. But design is important for a phone with >$600 pricetag, not for a $400 one. The counter from GeorgeBMac is - why aim for a $400 pricetag instead of $600 or $800 or whatever it takes?. The reality is - it is a lot more complex than that, with various other factors playing a role in the decision making. It is a difficult one to make at the end of the day - damned if you do, damned if you don't. Apple has made a choice based on the information that they have. In my view, Apple has taken the right decision. In GeorgeBMac and few other's view - Apple has not taken the right decision if true. Only time will tell.
What part was five years old?
But I really don't see this hitting every part of Ming-Chi's shifting predictions for it. One thing I am sure of -- the teen market will not want something that looks like an iPhone 8, so this is not for that portion of the all-important youth market.
But however, there is a major advantage in a significant increase in screen size -- particularly without increasing the external form factor.
In short, putting a state of the art processor on an obsolete design is selling shiny, glittery features that lack substance while retaining short comings.
As illustration: The 2019 iPad with an A10 processor will sell for less than this rumored phone.
For value-conscious customers, price matters, and Kuo's predicted SE strikes the right chord.
But, while that makes sense, it has to be remembered that Apple is still selling new, upgraded products with the A10. I would not think that they'll be dropping them from support anytime soon. At least I hope not.