More References to Apple's Upcoming Low-Cost iPhone Appear Online

[MacRumors]

Further references to Apple's upcoming low-cost iPhone have appeared online, one on a Chinese e-commerce website and another on Verizon's smartphone trade-in page.

Spotted by tech blog MySmartPrice, Chinese retailer JD.com has published a placeholder for Apple's so-called "iPhone 9" that includes a teaser image of a veiled smartphone, but other than that it lacks any particularly revealing specifications. On that basis, it could just as easily be the site's expectation that Apple's new low-cost iPhone is on the way based on circulating rumors.

The other reference to "iPhone 9" was highlighted by leaker Jon Prosser in amongst a list of smartphones eligible for Verizon's trade-in plan on the cellular provider's website.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1246770058510118912

We're covering these references merely for completion, since Apple's new low-cost phone is expected imminently, although it's apparently going to recycle the iPhone SE name used for Apple's previous dedicated budget phone.

Last week, a product listing for a Belkin screen protector on Apple's online store was updated to reflect compatibility with not only the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8, but also the "iPhone SE."

That product listing didn't reveal any further details about the device, which was previously dubbed the iPhone SE 2 or iPhone 9, beyond supporting rumors that it will have a 4.7-inch display. The device is also expected to have an A13 chip, 3GB of RAM, and 64GB to 256GB of storage, with pricing estimated to start around $399 in the United States.

One rumor last week suggested the phone could be launched as soon as April 3. The date proved to be wide of the mark, but it doesn't preclude the possibility that we could see the device announced by Apple any day now.

Article Link: More References to Apple's Upcoming Low-Cost iPhone Appear Online

 

[bchery21]

I rather they call it iPhone SE than iPhone 9. Using the number 9 seems a little backwards at this point.

 

[CrazyForCashews]

So what's it gonna be? The iPhone 9 or iPhone SE?

I hope Apple chooses none of those names because they're terrible, especially if they call it the SE, as the phone will be nothing like the SE.

 

[lkalliance]

If one is self-isolating and purchases this (or any) iPhone, how does (s)he activate it without going to a store? Ditto to pass along an existing phone to another person.

Asking for a friend. 😐

 

[44267547]

I rather they call it iPhone SE than iPhone 9.

I say it’s a bad idea to call this next iPhone the ‘iPhone SE’. There was only one true iPhone SE in a 4” form factor, and this next ‘iPhone 9’ model won’t be anything like it. I personally think it Would be confusing to the consumer if Apple use iPhone SE again, when they are really nothing alike.

 

[itsmilo]

iPhone 9 makes sense to me if it is seen as an update of the iPhone 8 instead of the SE

 

[Laptopdog78]

If one is self-isolating and purchases this (or any) iPhone, how does (s)he activate it without going to a store? Ditto to pass along an existing phone to another person.

Asking for a friend. 😐

Why do you need to activate your phones in a store? I am in the UK and activating new phones at home is normal??

 

[44267547]

If one is self-isolating and purchases this (or any) iPhone, how does (s)he activate it without going to a store? Ditto to pass along an existing phone to another person.

Asking for a friend. 😐

You can call your carrier directly from a different/active phone used, and they just need a few pieces of information to activate the phone, where ‘Your friend‘ can switch the Sim card over to the new phone. [You generally don’t have to visit a carrier to activate a phone, at least not by any major North American carriers.]

 

[glambutnerdy]

If one is self-isolating and purchases this (or any) iPhone, how does (s)he activate it without going to a store? Ditto to pass along an existing phone to another person.

Asking for a friend. 😐

i’m pretty sure you can activate it yourself..

 

[Laptopdog78]

Mark my words...... This will be announced on Tuesday of this week!

 

[lkalliance]

i’m pretty sure you can activate it yourself..

Oh cool. Thanks (and to other replies on the thread). I’ve just never done it, and with the swap of the old phone to a new owner when we’re not in the same location I thought it would be a challenge. Thanks, all!

 

[motm95]

I agree that iPhone 9 makes more sense than iPhone SE. I see this as the update and spiritual successor to the 8. I don't think it's too confusing for consumers even though we've had X, XS, 11 etc since the 8. And I still think this will sell pretty darn well to those consumers who have older iPhones and need to upgrade but don't want to shell out a ridiculous sum of money in these difficult times.

 

[lkalliance]

Mark my words...... This will be announced on Tuesday of this week!

*James Norrington voice* Consider them marked.

 

[tharitm]

Wait this doesn’t make sense, wasn’t there leaks from Apple website few days back confirming SE? But this is saying iPhone 9 so which is it?

 

[glambutnerdy]

Mark my words...... This will be announced on Tuesday of this week!

I hope!!

 

[jezbd1997]

Why do you need to activate your phones in a store? I am in the UK and activating new phones at home is normal??

Same in Aus

 

[44267547]

Side note:

John Prosser has been on his game lately. This is a good find that he sourced in the Verizon ‘guideline rules’. The ‘9’ is definitely imminent.

 

[Scottsoapbox]

That's the most clever placeholder page I've seen yet. 👍

 

[nt5672]

Lets hope its an SE size but with bigger screen and up-to-date specs.

 

[azentropy]

I just want it to come out so people stop arguing on what it is going to be named! (Not really as I'll probably be buying one but just don't care what they call it)

 

[glambutnerdy]

Lets hope its an SE size but with bigger screen and up-to-date specs.

It’s recycling the form factor of the 8 with updated internals to cut down on costs and sell it for much cheaper.

Using the 5 form factor would be much more expensive.

 

[DinkThifferent]

Mark my words...... This will be announced on Tuesday of this week!

And if not, guess who's going to buy everyone on Macrumors a beer????

 

[Zmmyt]

Release it already. I want to replace my 6S without feeling I have been ripped off.

 

[Populus]

I say it’s a bad idea to call this next iPhone the ‘iPhone SE’. There was only one true iPhone SE in a 4” form factor, and this next ‘iPhone 9’ model won’t be anything like it. I personally think it Would be confusing to the consumer if Apple use iPhone SE again, when they are really nothing alike.

Oh, this is the eternal discussion.

Apparently for Apple, iPhone SE doesn’t mean “small iPhone” but rather a Special Edition of an already vintage form factor, with newer internals at a reduced price point, to use one last time the production lines of such models, before stopping the production of home buttons or LCD displays completely and forever.

So, from that point of view, yes, this upcoming 4,7” iPhone deserves the SE name. It is an Special Edition of a classic form factor.

If you want to argue that the 4” iPhone 5 was the true and only classic form factor, let me show you a picture of an iPhone 4. And even tho it was a classy design, no, iPhone 4 is not the original design either.

 

[PickUrPoison]

I can’t believe how many typos are in this screenshot. At one point it actually says: "you must be select a Premium Unlimted plan to be eligbile".

Three typos in the space of 9 words. I’ve never seen copy that sloppy, so my guess is it’s a fake. But maybe nothing is getting proofed right now 🤷‍♂️