Case for Upcoming Low-Cost iPhone Shows Up at Best Buy With Alleged April 5 Stock Date

[MacRumors]

Apple has a new low-cost iPhone in the works, which is supposed to be launching sometime in the first half of 2020. Given the ongoing situation in the United States and other countries, it's been unclear if the device is going to launch within the planned timeline, but there are signs that it could be coming soon.

We started seeing cases for the new low-cost iPhone back in early February, but now it appears new case options are showing up at retailers like Best Buy.

A source who emailed MacRumors shared a photo said to be from a Best Buy employee featuring an Urban Armor Gear case designed for the new 4.7-inch 2020 iPhone. There's no specific name on the case box, which is not unusual for cases made before a new device launches.

We can't confirm the source of the case, but this does indeed look like one of the cases that manufacturers like Target and Best Buy get ahead of when a new iPhone debuts, as case manufacturers send these cases to retail stores early to be one of the first manufacturers to have a case available to customers at launch.

According to the source who sent us the photo, Best Buy employees have been instructed not to merchandise these cases until Sunday, April 5. Whether that is a date reflective of a timeline when we might see the new low-cost iPhone launch remains to be seen.

That date would perhaps suggest a low-cost iPhone launch as early as this week, but so far, we haven't heard concrete details on when the new iPhone is coming out. Since we will be having no events in the near future, the low-cost iPhone could be announced at any point via a press release.

We don't know what Apple is going to call its new phone, but in rumors, it's been referred to as the "iPhone 9," a missing iPhone number, or the "iPhone SE 2" due to its rumored $399 price tag.

The new ?iPhone? is said to be identical to the iPhone 8 but with an A13 chip inside, featuring a 4.7-inch display, a single-lens rear camera, thick top and bottom bezels, and a Touch ID Home button. It is expected to come in space gray, silver, and red color options, and we're expecting 64 and 128GB storage capacities.

(Thanks, Jim!)

Article Link: Case for Upcoming Low-Cost iPhone Shows Up at Best Buy With Alleged April 5 Stock Date

 

[Mike Piekarski]

Oh myyy

 

[nfl46]

Nice. Apple will likely make a video about the new iPhone, then put it up for sale. Hopefully it’s simple like that.

 

[newyorksole]

Very interesting. I’m curious to see what this thing will be like.

 

[Freida]

so tomorrow? I'm so ready for this : )

 

[Peace]

This would be a good time to sell a cheap iphone

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Anything smaller than the X is an insta-purchase for me.

 

[triangletechie]

This would make for a great backup phone.

 

[Cosmosent]

ONLY Apple's lower-end iPhone 9 & 9+ will have any real chance of success in the near term.

Apple's Upper Mgmt knows that.

 

[farewelwilliams]

DROP TESTED*

*tested without the phone

 

[Baymowe335]

Anything smaller than the X is an insta-purchase for me.

Buy iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus

Buy iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus in Space Gray, Silver, or Gold today. Pay in full or pay with low monthly payments. Buy now with fast, free shipping.

www.apple.com

 

[jdclifford]

DROP TESTED*

*tested without the phone

could have been tested with an iPhone 8 since it’s rumored to be identical size.

 

[BornAgainApple]

That camera cutout looks like it could support two lenses...hmmm.

 

[cmaier]

This would make for a great backup phone.

The best backup phone is whatever your last phone was. Because it doesn’t cost you anything.
[automerge]1585612816[/automerge]

That camera cutout looks like it could support two lenses...hmmm.

One lens And a flash, most likely

 

[TDDM]

Considering that Apple themselves apparently were undecided of the launch date as recently as last week, isn’t it more likely that this is a holdover from before the 9 got delayed or something? I suppose it’s possible we *could* see an announcement on 4/3 and then an actual launch on 4/10, but that seems a little quick.

 

[trusso]

That camera cutout looks like it could support two lenses...hmmm.

Likely for the flash & sensor. Just like my iPhone 6s.

 

[xxray]

Considering all of the job losses and the likely recession on the way, it's good for Apple that they're planning to release a new low-cost iPhone to replace the SE spot.

 

[LeadingHeat]

Someone’s losing their job ?

 

[UltimateSyn]

Considering that Apple themselves apparently were undecided of the launch date as recently as last week, isn’t it more likely that this is a holdover from before the 9 got delayed or something? I suppose it’s possible we *could* see an announcement on 4/3 and then an actual launch on 4/10, but that seems a little quick.

Would be a great message to send right now:

• Hey, you can buy new iPhones that are (relatively) inexpensive
• We are still able to meet deadlines and product launch time frames while dealing with this crisis
• Please buy back our stock

 

[Hastings101]

This would be a good time to sell a cheap iphone

Really would be. I think anything Apple can do to offer cheaper products for the next year or so might benefit them as luxury items are about to see a big drop in sales for most people I'd imagine.

 

[magicschoolbus]

small phone fans rejoice.

 

[farewelwilliams]

could have been tested with an iPhone 8 since it’s rumored to be identical size.

not the same weight or same level of durability. guaranteed

 

[dontwalkhand]

Nice. Apple will likely make a video about the new iPhone, then put it up for sale. Hopefully it’s simple like that.

Honestly I would expect that anyway even if there was no virus. Like the other silent releases we’ve had recently. This phone isn’t going to blow anyone away.

 

[joeblow7777]

Anything smaller than the X is an insta-purchase for me.

Sounds like it's going to be the same size as the 8, so pretty much the same size as the X.

 

[Michael Scrip]

small phone fans rejoice.

It's still not as small as what some people really want...