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You’re in for a new budget iPhone in 2020:

  • iPhone 9/SE2 in March (399$)

  • iPhone 12 (5,4”) in September (799$)


Results are only viewable after voting.

Populus

macrumors 603
Original poster
Aug 24, 2012
6,219
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Spain, Europe
This is a question for those who don’t upgrade their iPhone every year, those who wait for sales, who want the best bang for buck, those who won’t spend thousands of dollars/euros in a smartphone... but they are still in love with technology.

The next year 2020, which is only 4 days away, will bring us a cheaper iPhone 9 (or iPhone SE). With 3GB of RAM, Apple’s latest A13 SoC, more battery than the current iPhone 8, and a single camera with the same night mode than iPhone 11. At just 399 bucks.

The next budget option, will be more expensive. In September we’ll have the base iPhone 12, with a screen size of 5,4”, presumably 4GB of RAM, and a dual lens camera. Oh, and 5G. If I had to make a guess... I’d say 799€ could be the price tag, doubling the iPhone 9 price.

So with those data in mind, which 2020 budget iPhone are you willing to buy? And why?
 
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Voted 9/SE2 based on rumors thus far.

If Apple releases an iPhone 12 that's the same physical size as the iPhone 7/8 though with the notch eliminated or drastically reduced, I might opt for the iPhone 12.
 
Voted 9/SE2 based on rumors thus far.

If Apple releases an iPhone 12 that's the same physical size as the iPhone 7/8 though with the notch eliminated or drastically reduced, I might opt for the iPhone 12.
I’m pretty sure that the next 5,4” iPhone 12 will indeed be roughly the same size as the current 4,7”. One millimeter up or down, who cares. If that’s the case, I think it will be worth the wait. 5G, much bigger battery (probably the next iPhone 12 logic board will be even smaller), dual cameras and probably more advancements for the new iPhone design.

The only thing that could make me buy an iPhone 9/SE2 is that I prefer LCD over OLED (eye straining and headaches might be a thing, although I don’t know if I’m sensitive to it), and I prefer Touch ID over Face ID (I have Touch ID on my iPhone 8, and Face ID on my iPad Pro). So maybe just for those two things, and the fact that it will probably be the last iPhone with Touch ID, well, maybe it is a good idea to upgrade one last time next spring.

Thanks for commenting!
 
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Voted for iPhone 9/SE2 in March (399$) but is Apple really going to release a new iPhone (called as 9 or SE 2) in March 2020? Are the rumors true?
 
The only thing that could make me buy an iPhone 9/SE2 is that I prefer LCD over OLED (eye straining and headaches might be a thing, although I don’t know if I’m sensitive to it), and I prefer Touch ID over Face ID (I have Touch ID on my iPhone 8, and Face ID on my iPad Pro). So maybe just for those two things, and the fact that it will probably be the last iPhone with Touch ID, well, maybe it is a good idea to upgrade one last time next spring.
Ugh, yeah. I haven't used any of the OLED iPhones nor any of the super high res ones but the ones I've tried, there was just something about PenTile matrix OLEDs that didn't agree with me.

The iPhone 9/SE2 is expected to be released months ahead of the iPhone 12 so I'll likely be buying the SE2 either way. I may or may not upgrade to the iPhone 12 depending on design/specs/features (although I'd still keep the SE2 as backup :p).
 
Yes, the only downside is the camera, having a tele-photo or, at least, the panoramic lens, would be nice. But it won’t happen.
 
This is a question for those who don’t upgrade their iPhone every year, those who wait for sales, who want the best bang for buck, those who won’t spend thousands of dollars/euros in a smartphone... but they are still in love with technology.

The next year 2020, which is only 4 days away, will bring us a cheaper iPhone 9 (or iPhone SE). With 3GB of RAM, Apple’s latest A13 SoC, more battery than the current iPhone 8, and a single camera with the same night mode than iPhone 11. At just 399 bucks.

The next budget option, will be more expensive. In September we’ll have the base iPhone 12, with a screen size of 5,4”, presumably 4GB of RAM, and a dual lens camera. Oh, and 5G. If I had to make a guess... I’d say 799€ could be the price tag, doubling the iPhone 9 price.

So with those data in mind, which 2020 budget iPhone are you willing to buy? And why?
I don‘t really think the 5.4” will be the cheap model, TBH.
I’m not yet convinced Apple will launch a 5.4” model at all...

BTW if the budget is your primary concern, I would suggest to wait for the “SE2” (if it exists) of to buy an 11 as soon as the iPhone 12 will appear.
 
Depends on whats most important. For simply cost, the the SE2 would be the best choice. I personally would prefer spending on the 12 if the rumors are true about a flat-edge design like the iphone 5's had, and i personally prefer the FaceID to TouchID. But those preferences will also be factors to consider (assuming the rumors are true). Also depending on how patient one is, as there is a possibility the 9 and the 12 could be released at different times of the year.
 
I don‘t really think the 5.4” will be the cheap model, TBH.
I’m not yet convinced Apple will launch a 5.4” model at all...

BTW if the budget is your primary concern, I would suggest to wait for the “SE2” (if it exists) of to buy an 11 as soon as the iPhone 12 will appear.
Until now, all the rumors of this kind have been true. Especially with the two OLED iPhone Pro and the LCD iPhone 11. I trust this consistent rumors that repeat the same again and again, and I’m pretty sure that for 2020 we are having a 5,4”, one or two 6,1” and a giant 6,7” iPhone, all OLED.

If Apple releases a 6.1” iPhone as the smaller phone, it would be way, way too big for a lot of iPhone customers. Apple knows that, unlike Android users, we like smaller Phones or at least operable with one hand. Maybe there are a lot of Pro Max customers, but theres a big chunk of customers that were happy with the iPhone 6, 7, 8 sizes. Even we can make a concession and get an X or 11 Pro (5,8”). But that’s starting to get too big, and yes I’ve tried them. I’ve also tried an XR and an 11 (6,1”) on the store, and they literally fell from my hand. It’s impossible to use with one hand.

So yes, I’m completely convinced that Apple will release a smaller 5,4” iPhone. Otherwise the 6,1” would be the smaller one, and we all know 6 inches is not small at all. It is happening.

Yeah, the suggestion of buying an iPhone 11 is good, but again, I can’t use 6 inches phablets with one hand, and I always use my smartphones with one hand, on the go.
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Also depending on how patient one is, as there is a possibility the 9 and the 12 could be released at different times of the year.
Yes, they will be released on different times of the year. iPhone 9 in a March event, iPhone 12 lineup in September, with 5,4” 6,1” and 6,7” different sizes.
 
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Voted for iPhone 9/SE2 in March (399$) but is Apple really going to release a new iPhone (called as 9 or SE 2) in March 2020? Are the rumors true?

#1.) It’s been rumored for almost a year that Apple would be developing an iPhone ‘SE 2’. And those rumors multiplied through various sources basically confirming it’s going to happen. I’d wager probably late first quarter towards April, and at the very latest near WWDC in June.

#2.) I doubt this SE 2 will come in at a price point of $399. I believe it will probably range somewhere between $500-$525.
 
#1.) It’s been rumored for almost a year that Apple would be developing an iPhone ‘SE 2’. And those rumors multiplied through various sources basically confirming it’s going to happen. I’d wager probably late first quarter towards April, and at the very latest near WWDC in June.

#2.) I doubt this SE 2 will come in at a price point of $399. I believe it will probably range somewhere between $500-$525.
$500 is too much for an iPhone, which will have Touch ID and 1 rear camera; and A13 processor can't be a reason for Apple to offer it for $500.

I think the rumors are true and the price will be roughly $399 (+-$50). Even the iPhone 11 is $699.
 
I think the rumors are true and the price will be roughly $399 (+-$50).

Not happening. The iPhone SE 2 is not coming in at $399 price point. It’ll probably be a minimum of $500. The only way it would come in at $399, is if Apple was able to keep supplier relations at a low-cost given the materials/hardware, but I highly doubt it will retain iPhone SE price point we saw in March 2016.
 
Not happening. The iPhone SE 2 is not coming in at $399 price point. It’ll probably be a minimum of $500. The only way it would come in at $399, is if Apple was able to keep supplier relations at a low-cost given the materials/hardware, but I highly doubt it will retain iPhone SE price point we saw in March 2016.
We will see. :)
 
The iPhone 9 will be a minimum of 399. Maximum of 499 for the base storage.

Base Storage pricing for 12 5.4:

Min 699 (rare 649)
Max 799
 
The iPhone 9 will be a minimum of 399. Maximum of 499 for the base storage.

Base Storage pricing for 12 5.4:

Min 699 (rare 649)
Max 799
You and your family are using Apple products as written in your signature but you can type "Me" in front of the text you described the Apple products you are using:

Me - iPhone 11 Pro | AirPods | 2 x iPad Pro 11 LTE | MBA 11” | TV 4K
Mom - iPhone 7 | Apple Battery Case | iPad Pro 10.5 LTE | Apple Pencil
Dad - iPhone 8 | MBP 13” | MBA 13”
Sis - iPhone SE | MBA 13”

That'd be great...
 
You and your family are using Apple products as written in your signature but you can type "Me" in front of the text you described the Apple products you are using:

Me - iPhone 11 Pro | AirPods | 2 x iPad Pro 11 LTE | MBA 11” | TV 4K
Mom - iPhone 7 | Apple Battery Case | iPad Pro 10.5 LTE | Apple Pencil
Dad - iPhone 8 | MBP 13” | MBA 13”
Sis - iPhone SE | MBA 13”

That'd be great...

Done. :) Thank You!
 
If so, i may downgrade my iPhone 11 to iPhone SE 2, because the size of the iPhone 11 is not small as i want. I am one of SSL (Small Screen Lovers).

Or you could just wait until September and get a rumoured 5.4” iPhone 12. This way you won’t need to sacrifice your dual camera with night mode, great battery life and a dual SIM feature.
 
This is a question for those who don’t upgrade their iPhone every year, those who wait for sales, who want the best bang for buck, those who won’t spend thousands of dollars/euros in a smartphone... but they are still in love with technology.

The next year 2020, which is only 4 days away, will bring us a cheaper iPhone 9 (or iPhone SE). With 3GB of RAM, Apple’s latest A13 SoC, more battery than the current iPhone 8, and a single camera with the same night mode than iPhone 11. At just 399 bucks.

The next budget option, will be more expensive. In September we’ll have the base iPhone 12, with a screen size of 5,4”, presumably 4GB of RAM, and a dual lens camera. Oh, and 5G. If I had to make a guess... I’d say 799€ could be the price tag, doubling the iPhone 9 price.

So with those data in mind, which 2020 budget iPhone are you willing to buy? And why?


Wow, the fact you know all this already makes me think you should focus on sports betting and buy whatever iPhone you want, because money wont be an issue!
 
Both! If the iPhone 9 comes out with those specs at that price it will be hard to pass upgrading from my 8. However if they do release a more full featured but smaller iPhone 12 6 months later with a 5.4" inch screen but even smaller/lighter than the 8/9 I'd probably bite at. It isn't about "budget" to me, it is wanting the most full featured phone I can comfortably use one handed.
 
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