Kuo: iPhone SE 2 Launch Still Planned for First Half of 2020 Despite Coronavirus Outbreak

[MacRumors]

We've been hearing for some time that Apple is planning to launch a new low-cost iPhone based on the iPhone 8, but with upgraded internals. This device has been referred to in rumors as the "iPhone SE 2" or "iPhone 9," although concerns over the impact of the Wuhan coronavirus on production have raised some questions about timing for the launch.

In a new research note seen by MacRumors, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo briefly mentions that the iPhone SE 2 is still expected to launch in the first half of this year. The mention comes in a larger report about smartphone camera lens suppliers, with Kuo noting that the iPhone SE 2 will not include a 7-element plastic (7P) lens, and so will not contribute toward shipments of those advanced lenses.

Because Apple expects that the new iPhone SE2 released in 1H20 will not use a 7P lens, it will not help the 7P lens shipment momentum.

It's unsurprising that the iPhone SE 2 won't include a 7P lens, as the iPhone 8 includes a 6P rear camera lens. With Apple looking to keep pricing on the new phone as low as possible, it will almost certainly be reusing components wherever possible, with the exception of key performance-related components like the A-series chip, which is rumored to move from the A11 chip in the iPhone 8 to Apple's latest A13 chip.

A separate report today claims that an update to Apple's iPad Pro lineup is expected "around March," so it's possible we could see a media event next month for Apple to introduce several new products.

Article Link: Kuo: iPhone SE 2 Launch Still Planned for First Half of 2020 Despite Coronavirus Outbreak

 

[The Game 161]

event next month hopefully....

 

[Toratek]

concerns over the impact of the Wuhan coronavirus on production

One wonders how long it will be before people get cancelled over using the term "Wuhan Coronavirus" or "Wuflu". Both seem to have become much more entrenched than the awkward WHO nomenclature.

 

[waquzy]

Yes, bring it on. I’m ready

 

[Freida]

Here is a twist -> It will be called iPhone Lite

 

[Cosmosent]

They will Announce it, but will they Release it is the BIG question.

 

[magicMac]

if this phone is expected to have an A13 SoC, is it expected to also include eSIM and Gigabit-LTE as well ?

Also I hope it's not a cut down A13 with 2GB RAM - something in this form factor with more like 4GB RAM would be welcome.

 

[fmcshan]

Aside from the iPhone SE 2, I’m excited for other products we’ve heard rumors about like the AirTags, wireless charger, etc.

 

[eric89074]

if this phone is expected to have an A13 SoC, is it expected to also include eSIM and Gigabit-LTE as well ?

Also I hope it's not a cut down A13 with 2GB RAM - something in this form factor with more like 4GB RAM would be welcome.

I’d be surprised if this gets 4GB of ram. More likely 3GB.

 

[The Game 161]

I’d be surprised if this gets 4GB of ram. More likely 3GB.

well yeah id the iPhone 12 is going to get 4GB this won't be getting it.

 

[Sasparilla]

Nice to hear its coming, although first half of 2020 is a good size backing off of release in March.

They need to have used the 11's or Xr's camera, it'll be a problem if its a reuse of the 8's camera.

 

[imola.zhp]

Got two in the immediate family ready to retire. They are not happy about the impending increase in size but the phones are starting to act crazy (possible planned obsolesce). We've got an iPad Mini 2 acting nutty too, ugh.

 

[waquzy]

They need to have used the 11's or Xr's camera, it'll be a problem if its a reuse of the 8's camera.

This. If they use the 8's camera, that would be a letdown and no buy for me

 

[BenTrovato]

well yeah id the iPhone 12 is going to get 4GB this won't be getting it.

I think they've most past 3gb in the software cycle but we'll find out soon

 

[Mainsail]

If it doesn’t have portrait mode, it wont be very interesting to me......even at $399.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Why reference a 7p lens? X, XS and even 11, 11 Pro/Pro Max all have 6-element lenses. Who in their right mind expected an upgrade to a 7p lens on a $399 iPhone?

 

[Gasu E.]

Nice to hear its coming, although first half of 2020 is a good size backing off of release in March.

They need to have used the 11's or Xr's camera, it'll be a problem if its a reuse of the 8's camera.

This. If they use the 8's camera, that would be a letdown and no buy for me

... and, you just provided an excellent example of why Apple SHOULD reuse the 8's camera in this low-end model.

 

[44267547]

They will Announce it, but will they Release it is the BIG question.

That doesn’t really make sense. If they announce the iPhone, of course they’re going to release it with a confirmed date. There’s no reason why they would announce an iPhone _without_ having speculation of when they would actually release it to the public. If Apple had any uncertainty that this phone would not launch on time, I suspect they would shuffle this specific iPhone release date altogether.

 

[PickUrPoison]

if this phone is expected to have an A13 SoC, is it expected to also include eSIM and Gigabit-LTE as well ?

Also I hope it's not a cut down A13 with 2GB RAM - something in this form factor with more like 4GB RAM would be welcome.

The rumor has been 3GB so far, but who knows? I expect 3GB though, I don’t see why it would have 4GB. XR is a $599 phone and it only has 3GB.
[automerge]1581959552[/automerge]

If it doesn’t have portrait mode, it wont be very interesting to me......even at $399.

Maybe only for people, like XR. Maybe not at all.
[automerge]1581959959[/automerge]

This. If they use the 8's camera, that would be a letdown and no buy for me

8, X, XR, 11 all use 12MP ƒ/1.8 camera.

 

[cocky jeremy]

I’d be surprised if this gets 4GB of ram. More likely 3GB.

If you want cheap, you get cheap.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Are people being reasonable with their expectations, it’s a $399 iphone. Less expensive than the 8, and according to rumors a bump from A11/2GB to A13/3GB.

That’s all I would expect, anything else is gravy don’t you think?

 

[npmacuser5]

Apple finally realizing their iPhones have very little to do with tech specs for a large number of users. All about the eco system. Now one could purchase an SE2, an Apple Watch plus a nice case. Maybe have enough left over for a designer drink for the price of the new iPhones, Awesome!

 

[satchmo]

I’m not sure an iPhone 8 camera will deter those who simply are looking for an inexpensive way to get into an iPhone.

It may deter those who already have an iPhone 6 or 6s to either wait for the iPhone 12 or consider leaving Apple altogether for an Android phone.

 

[adamdport]

Got two in the immediate family ready to retire. They are not happy about the impending increase in size but the phones are starting to act crazy (possible planned obsolesce). We've got an iPad Mini 2 acting nutty too, ugh.

If they're so old that it's an increase in size, did you consider getting new batteries installed?

 

[bodonnell202]

Nice to hear its coming, although first half of 2020 is a good size backing off of release in March.

They need to have used the 11's or Xr's camera, it'll be a problem if its a reuse of the 8's camera.

It will undoubtedly have an updated camera. Probably the wide angle camera from the 11, with XR type portrait mode and support for night mode.