Apple now rumored to announce 'iPhone SE 2' on April 15
Further rumors say that Apple is provisionally planning to announce the "iPhone SE 2," or what may be called the "iPhone 9", in mid-April, with shipping from April 22.
The "iPhone SE 2," which may be called the "iPhone 9," is expected to launch within the first half of 2020.
Following retail chain Best Buy's stocking of an iPhone case to fit a model with a 4.7-inch screen, a new rumor from Jon Prosser claims that Apple has now held internal meetings to decide on a release date for "iPhone SE 2," also known as the "iPhone 9." Reportedly, the meeting provisionally decided to announce the phone on April 15, and have it shipping a week later on April 22.
Twitter user Jon Prosser adds that "Apple is shipping iMacs to select retail employees who are being asked to work remotely." These staff are reportedly intended to provide both sales and technical support for customers. Prosser did previously claim that there had been a media briefing about the new iPhone on March 26, but said it was inconclusive.
His proposed announcement correlates with other sources recently reporting that the low-cost iPhone was entering final production. It also fits with previous claims by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo that the phone will launch in the first half of 2020.
An update to the original iPhone SE has been strongly rumored for several years now, starting back in 2017.
The "iPhone SE 2," which may be called the "iPhone 9," is expected to launch within the first half of 2020.
Following retail chain Best Buy's stocking of an iPhone case to fit a model with a 4.7-inch screen, a new rumor from Jon Prosser claims that Apple has now held internal meetings to decide on a release date for "iPhone SE 2," also known as the "iPhone 9." Reportedly, the meeting provisionally decided to announce the phone on April 15, and have it shipping a week later on April 22.
Twitter user Jon Prosser adds that "Apple is shipping iMacs to select retail employees who are being asked to work remotely." These staff are reportedly intended to provide both sales and technical support for customers. Prosser did previously claim that there had been a media briefing about the new iPhone on March 26, but said it was inconclusive.
iPhone 9 update
Per an internal meeting yesterday, Apple is now preparing for an April release.
Tentative dates:
- Announcement on April 15
- Shipments on April 22
Keep in mind: we're in the middle of a pandemic, and things could change.
Fingers crossed pic.twitter.com/egz8UWXd9F-- Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser)
His proposed announcement correlates with other sources recently reporting that the low-cost iPhone was entering final production. It also fits with previous claims by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo that the phone will launch in the first half of 2020.
An update to the original iPhone SE has been strongly rumored for several years now, starting back in 2017.
Comments
(1) It would be good because it would differentiate it from the SE and certain people can quit complaining that it's not tiny sized like the original SE. This new phone can be seen as a slightly different phone than the SE. It would still be budget priced, presumably, but the chassis would be different and the size would be slightly larger than the original SE, thus earning it a different name than the SE.
(2) The name iPhone 9 has not been used yet. Apple skipped over it, so naming this new phone the iPhone 9 would be a good move and it would fill in the missing gap, especially since it's rumored to be based on the iPhone 8 and this iPhone 9 can be seen as an upgraded version of the 8, since it'll have the same dimensions, but it will surely have better internals, such as a newer and more powerful CPU.
We shall see what Apple decides to call it soon enough.
Either way, this is only a minor issue and I don't really think it matters at all what Apple decides to call it. If it's a good phone, then it's a good phone. Apple can call it whatever they want and people who are in the market for such an iPhone will be getting one.
There's no guarantee that there will be a successor to the new phone that Apple is releasing soon.
Perhaps there will be another budget iPhone in the future sometime, but if we look at the history of the SE, then that could be many years away from now, so I don't think that Apple needs to worry about what the name of any eventual successor might be at this time. They can come up with a new name in 3 or 4 years if they need to.
Personally, I would have preferred seeing an SE form factor with a full face, no bezel screen -- even if it meant putting an older processor in.
It's virtually a win-win for someone needing an iPhone but without the finances to justify the current new offerings.
It should also appeal to those who prefer smaller phone sizes.
For another group of users it can act as a stepping stone to where Apple wants its devices to be in terms of 5G and AR/VR.
From a marketing and manufacturing perspective it provides a much needed attention grabber around MWC and spaces manufacturing and logistics better.
For less developed markets like India and South America it provides a hook that is actually attractive to many more potential buyers.
For Apple there is a risk that users anywhere could shun higher end models for a more affordable, new option but frankly Apple had few options left here. We know that iPhone sales have been largely flat for years now. So, with services looking to make up for stalling iPhone revenues it still makes sense if it sells in numbers.
For that, pricing will be key.
can you see it? “Sure, we’re currently selling the *11* and dure, the net is abuzz with the “12”, but please please please, in these hard times, spend your money on a *9*.