Kuo: 'iPhone SE 2' Entering Mass Production in January and Launching at the End of March

[MacRumors]

Apple's "iPhone SE 2" is scheduled to go into mass production in January 2020 and will launch at the end of March, according to the latest information from reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

The timing basically tallies with Kuo's previous reports on the so-called "iPhone SE 2," in which he predicted a Q1 2020 release for the device, which is expected to start at $399.

Relying on historical patterns in Apple's product release schedule to predict future launches is not without risk, but March has traditionally been the launch month of Apple's more affordable iPhone.

The original iPhone SE was announced on March 21, 2016, pre-orders began on March 24 and the device was officially released on March 31, 2016. It was re-released almost a year later on March 24, 2017 with larger storage capacities. Apple has also held special launch events in the last week of March for the last two years.

Specs for the new low-end iPhone are said to include:
[*]4.7-inch display[*]A13 CPU (same as iPhone 11)[*]3GB LPDDR4X RAM[*]64GB and 128GB options[*]Space Gray, Silver and Red colors[*]Home button[*]No 3D TouchKuo expects the device to look similar to the iPhone 8 and believes it will be a popular upgrade option for existing iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S owners, serving as a "key growth driver" for Apple in 2020. He believes these customers have low desire for new features like Face ID and multiple cameras, suggesting the "iPhone SE 2" will stick with Touch ID and a single-lens rear camera.

In terms of shipments, Kuo estimates that monthly shipments of the iPhone SE 2 will be between 2 million and 4 million. Kuo also expects the iPhone SE 2 will use a liquid crystal polymer LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer) antenna design to facilitate transmission efficiency.

According to other industry sources, LG is in talks with Apple to supply LCD displays for the successor to the iPhone SE, with the panels currently undergoing last-minute quality checks.

Of course, "iPhone SE 2" might not be the final name of the device, with iPhone 8s and iPhone 9 speculated as other possibilities. With a larger 4.7-inch display, the device won't be as portable as the original iPhone SE, which will surely disappoint fans of that model.

Article Link: Kuo: 'iPhone SE 2' Entering Mass Production in January and Launching at the End of March

 

[Roscorito]

One last appeal Tim before you enter mass production. Its not that we want cheap, we want small! You’ve got the iPhone pro, how about the iPhone mini? I’ve hung on to my SE because I like to go running without a brick in my pocket.

 

[Slash787]

I have the iPhone 7 now, I guess I will just wait for the iPhone 2022 which I will buy in 2023. Make a small phone as the SE, if you want to make a phone as big as the 6/7/8 then shrink down the size of the iPhone 11 pro, If $500 is would be low for the Iphone 11 pro mini then I don't mind paying up to $700 for it.

This really does not satisfies me to upgrade my phone.

 

[DamoTheBrave]

No Touch ID is interesting. I wonder if that means it will have Face ID. I can’t see it launching with no biometric security.

 

[Slash787]

No Touch ID is interesting. I wonder if that means it will have Face ID. I can’t see it launching with no biometric security.

It says it will have Touch ID with a home button. It won't have the 3D touch.

 

[Mr. Dee]

Reading this on my iPhone 6s. I currently use it as an iPod when my iPhone X is charging at night. The 6s was my first major iPhone upgrade in 2015. I loved and used it too much, lol, but it has an awful battery life. I got the battery replaced in fall 2018 and doesn’t seem to have made a difference. Another issue I had was Touch ID hardly worked after a few months. Oh well, for users who just want something that’s familiar it likely is a good option.

 

[joeblow7777]

One last appeal Tim before you enter mass production. Its not that we want cheap, we want small! You’ve got the iPhone pro, how about the iPhone mini? I’ve hung on to my SE because I like to go running without a brick in my pocket.

Sorry, but it doesn't seem like there's enough people who want tiny phones anymore. Actually, to me the iPhone 8 form factor seems pretty tiny after having gotten used to the 8 Plus long ago.

 

[jsviper96]

No Touch ID is interesting. I wonder if that means it will have Face ID. I can’t see it launching with no biometric security.

The article is saying it’s won’t have 3D Touch. It sounds like it will have Touch ID but no Face ID.

“He believes these customers have low desire for new features like Face ID ... , suggesting the "iPhone SE 2" will stick with Touch ID ... ”

 

[tyr2]

> it will be a popular upgrade option for existing iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S owners,

It will certainly be popular with _this_ iPhone6 user! I'm still happy enough with the iPhone 6, it runs fine, the only reason I have for upgrading at all is the lack of iOS 13 support. So if this new 'SE2' provides a route to a cheapish, modern device that's basically the same and will keep going for another 5 years or so, then count me in.

 

[MoreRumors?]

Ok, stop calling it a SE2 and call it what it really is, 8s. I think this will sell very well for those not wanting to spend a lot on a phone. For me, 128GB is the sweet spot.

 

[Bustycat]

It is unlikely called iPhone 9..., as something new already sounds old.

 

[ruka.snow]

iPhone 6 is way too big. I really hope Apple have clicked on that there is demand for a smaller full feature phone at any price. Amazingly smaller sized humans exist.

 

[nfl46]

I guess we live in a social media thriving world, and Apple doesn’t see enough of a reason to make a 4-inch device anymore. I’m sure there is a niche crowd that loves their 4-inch device, though. However, price is what will drive these sales up. That’s one of the reasons why the XR ($599) and 11 ($699) are doing so well.

This will be an upgraded iPhone 8 with updated internals. Add a bigger battery, updated cameras and A13 and most will be satisfied with that for $399.

 

[imom]

I also prefer small – no larger than my current 6s, please!

Plus, I don't want to worry about carrying around a $1,200 phone all the time. I want to take it hiking, to bars, to the beach, without worrying about it too much. $400 sounds perfect.

Assuming the camera on this new phone is decent, I'll be buying two of them.

 

[GuruZac]

Honestly, why not just use the same SE chassis then? No 3D Touch makes sense but I assume it will have Haptic Touch? Camera is a single iPhone 11 camera or the iPhone 8 camera?

 

[CouponPages]

Hey Apple. Some people don't like a big phone. Give us a smaller option.

To me the best option would simply be physical size of the current SE, but with a screen that extends to the edges, like the current lineup.

The thing that boggles my mind over the years is why screen size should have such a big relationship to price. Price differences between the display panels do not vary that much by size, yet traditionally any device including laptops with a bigger screen are much more expensive.

A 13" MacBook Pro starts at $1299, yet 15" starts at $2399 because they have entirely different specs. Why can't they offer the same specs with just small differences for display preferences?

The bottom line... Why not just build the same specs, but offer 3 sizes (small, medium, large)?

 

[TrenttonY]

The iPhone lineup will now have 5 models...

We were spoiled with a simple lineup like the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus (bigger screen, same specs).

 

[GuruZac]

One last appeal Tim before you enter mass production. Its not that we want cheap, we want small! You’ve got the iPhone pro, how about the iPhone mini? I’ve hung on to my SE because I like to go running without a brick in my pocket.

Why not keep the SE to go run/exercise and pick up the SE2 (or whatever it’s going to be named) as a smallish daily driver?

 

[GuruZac]

On a side note, you guys all begging for an even smaller phone, full featured may in fact get your wish, as rumors have the iPhone 12 Pro smaller at 5.4” next year with an even larger iPhone 12 Pro Max at 6.7”. A full screen 5.4” phone would be even smaller than the iPhone 6/7/8.

 

[dz5b609]

One last appeal Tim before you enter mass production. Its not that we want cheap, we want small! You’ve got the iPhone pro, how about the iPhone mini? I’ve hung on to my SE because I like to go running without a brick in my pocket.

What you're asking is impossible, you can't cram an iPhone 11 inside an iPhone 5 dimension. Things like motherboards, camera's, cpu's etc. don't just magically shrink or become more efficient.

 

[PickUrPoison]

I have the iPhone 7 now, I guess I will just wait for the iPhone 2022 which I will buy in 2023. Make a small phone as the SE, if you want to make a phone as big as the 6/7/8 then shrink down the size of the iPhone 11 pro, If $500 is would be low for the Iphone 11 pro mini then I don't mind paying up to $700 for it.

This really does not satisfies me to upgrade my phone.

That is exactly what is rumored for next year. The Pro is getting a little smaller, 5.8”—>5.4”. It’ll be slightly less wide and a little less tall than the 6/7/8. The notch is rumored to be somewhat smaller. But it’s likely to be around $999.

 

[conmac7h]

No face id, also means and no animoji? I dont care for face id but hell, animoji? whole different story.

 

[PickUrPoison]

The iPhone lineup will now have 5 models...

We were spoiled with a simple lineup like the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus (bigger screen, same specs).

Being forced to choose between only two models isn’t being spoiled, it’s being highly restricted. People can deal with having more than two choices.

The more the better. I’m fine with a $399 entry level, a $699 mid-market and $999/$1,099 high-end flagships.

 

[majkom]

This looks like perfect phone for me, ideal form factor, new tech... only one questioned not andwered uet, what camera will they use? If main from ip11, perfect! Will buy two first day!

 

[PickUrPoison]

What you're asking is impossible, you can't cram an iPhone 11 inside an iPhone 5 dimension. Things like motherboards, camera's, cpu's etc. don't just magically shrink or become more efficient.

Yes, and especially battery. The SE has limited space for a battery, it’s only about 1,600 mAh. The iPhone 11 and 11 Pro are both more than 3,000 mAh, while the 11 Pro Max is nearly 4,000 mAh.