Upcoming Low-Cost iPhone Rumored to Come in 4.7 and 5.5-Inch Size Options to Replace iPhone 8 and 8 Plus

[MacRumors]

Apple is widely rumored to be working on a 4.7-inch low-cost iPhone that resembles the iPhone 8, but code found in a leaked version of iOS 14 suggests that Apple could also release a larger 5.5-inch version of the new low-cost iPhone.

The current iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, which will be replaced by new low-cost options that with the same design​

In a report that refers to the new 4.7-inch iPhone as the "iPhone 9," 9to5Mac suggests that Apple is also working on a 5.5-inch "iPhone 9 Plus" that would be sold alongside it. There is no word yet on what these iPhones will be called, and other rumors have referred to this low-cost device as the "iPhone SE 2."

These new 4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhones will replace the current 4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, and will be similar to the existing devices with an LCD display, thick bezels, and Touch ID Home button.

Multiple past rumors have indicated that though the new low-cost iPhone will have a design similar to the iPhone 8, it will feature the same A13 processor used in Apple's current iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max. We can expect the rumored 5.5-inch version to have the same upgraded processor.

We've also heard that Apple is planning to sell the 4.7-inch low-cost iPhone for $399, and if that's the case, the 5.5-inch version could be priced accordingly at $499. Apple was said to be planning to release the new low-cost iPhone option in the first half of 2020, perhaps as early as March, but it is not clear how the coronavirus outbreak has affected the company's plans.

It's worth noting that there has been no prior mention of a 5.5-inch low-cost iPhone to be sold alongside the 4.7-inch iPhone that we've seen rumored time and time again, so Apple's plans here are not entirely clear.

We have, however, heard a rumor from reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who suggests Apple is working on an "iPhone SE 2 Plus" with a full-screen design and no Face ID, meaning Touch ID is built into the power button on the side. Kuo says that this model will be 5.5 or 6.1 inches and will be released in the first half of 2021.

9to5Mac's report suggests the 4.7 and 5.5-inch iPhones referenced in iOS 14 code have Touch ID Home buttons and therefore, neither one is the higher-end "plus"-sized iPhone referenced by Kuo, but there is still some confusion around these two reports.

Article Link: Upcoming Low-Cost iPhone Rumored to Come in 4.7 and 5.5-Inch Size Options to Replace iPhone 8 and 8 Plus

 

[Freida]

Why would it be in iOS 14 code? Unless its released in fall then why would it be in that one?

 

[GeoStructural]

Such a fragmented line of devices. And the reason is simple: declining sales numbers. iPhone reached “peak” a few years ago, Apple admitted it and went so far as to stop releasing sales figures, something they proudly flaunted years before.

With all these cheaper iPhones they are basically trying to capture sales on the lower segments. The thing is, most manufacturers offer better value at those price points. Many people in Asia, Africa and Latin America find iOS too restrictive and these iPhones too old looking, with huge notches and few selling points compared to the premium devices, other than price.

If Apple really wants to dominate all segments they have to consider a redesign, a modern looking, compact, small device with good features and a competitive price point rather than recycling this old iPhone 6 design year after year and calling it new or SE.

 

[Sethal]

All these different numbers and models are going to start getting confusing to many people.

 

[FightTheFuture]

I just don't see TouchID in its current form going away or changing in the budget lines. The same implementation is used in MacBook Pros/Airs too.

With all these cheaper iPhone they are basically trying to capture sales on the other segments. The thing is, most manufacturers offer better value at those price points. Many people in Asia, Africa and Latin America find iOS too restrictive and these iPhones too old looking with huge notches and few selling points compared to the premium devices other than price.

Keep in mind that the iPhone XR and iPhone 11 were the top selling phones in 2019. Apple does have the mindshare, they just need to offer more options in the lower ranges. I fully expect an iPhone9/SE to sell well due to it's ecosystem and the A13 SoC.

 

[munpip214]

Thanks Apple but can we get an iPhone 11 Mini instead?

 

[lkalliance]

Though the addition of a plus size doesn't affect my buying decisions, this makes sense to me from a product line angle. Every iPhone (except the XR) has a smaller size and a larger size. Having one exception -- a model that is unique in other ways too -- is OK, having two exceptions starts to degrade this reliable organization (small one/large one).

 

[iLoma]

I'm sure this has something to do with the rumors of Apple splitting their iPhone release between March and September.

 

[Freeangel1]

would sell better if it was 5g able. But no mention so I think people will still wait for the ephor 12 especially with the fast A14 3 Gigahertz chip.

PS since the A14 is such a fast chip why not allow it to function as a on screen computer device like Samsungs DAX which allows you to plug in your S10 and have an android desktop on your home computer?

 

[The Game 161]

A13 chip on a £400 device? Impressive

 

[kemal]

$399 in France (358 Euro). Maybe. This is starting to smell a lot like the iPhone 8 refresh and will be priced at over $800.

 

[glowplug]

I’d pay big bucks for a new iPhone X or 11, but I’m not willing to give up TouchID. Make a high end iPhone 12 with TouchID and there will be a boatload of 7/8 holdouts wanting to buy it.

 

[CyberBob859]

So, with supposedly two phone sizes, more than likely it will be called iPhone 9 and iPhone 9 Plus. No way these are "SE2" type of phones.

 

[nordique]

If they release a plus model, and the name is just “iPhone” as was rumoured, then iPhone and iPhone Plus doesn’t really fit neatly in the line up

I started to doubt the iPhone 9 name but now given this news I think it will be the most likely, iPhone 9 and iPhone 9 plus

makes much more sense to avg customer who has an iPhone6/6+ model

in store, Apple employees will be calling the newer phones the “Ten are, Eleven, and Eleven Pro/Max”

so I suppose talking about upgrading to the 9, Ten (Xr), or 11 will be an easy way to distinguish models for the sales team

SE 2 just doesn’t make sense.

although iPhone 4.7 and 5.5 (2020) make sense, i don’t think they make more sense unless they adopt next years line up as iPhone Pro and iPhone Pro 5G or something like that.

then again, who knows with Apple.

I know two family members are waiting for the regular and plus sized models, these are people who still have the 6 and 6 plus so for them the “9” moniker would indicate a huge upgrade. They don’t care for Face ID which is why they haven’t upgraded yet. They were going to go for the 8/8+ recently but told them to hold on another 1-2 months

 

[Unami]

A13 chip on a £400 device? Impressive

I doubt that it makes a noticeable difference for apple manufacturing the a13 vs. the a10 - it's just the ongoing development costs, which are probably mostly covered by the older a13 devices (and now spread out over yet another product).

 

[nfl46]

These are likely the prices and lineup.

iPhone 11 Pro Max - $1,099
iPhone 11 Pro - $999
iPhone 11 - $699
iPhone XR - $599
iPhone 9 Plus - $499
iPhone 9 - $399

 

[Unami]

I know two family members are waiting for the regular and plus sized models, these are people who still have the 6 and 6 plus so for them the “9” moniker would indicate a huge upgrade. They don’t care for Face ID which is why they haven’t upgraded yet. They were going to go for the 8/8+ recently but told them to hold on another 1-2 months

same here, I've been telling people for months to hold out until march and not to buy a 3 year old phone that'll probably not get updates for more than 2-3 years be slower and cost more (it's still €539/$590 inkl. VAT) than the rumored iphone 9. if there's no iphone 9, they can still buy an 8 or XR (but those people usually don't want a phone that's that big).CoVid probably f*** that late march date a bit, but we'll see. lots of people don't earn anything at the moment, so it can take it's time...

 

[Zdigital2015]

Thanks Apple but can we get an iPhone 11 Mini instead?

The short answer is no...that phone is plenty small enough already. I’m not sure why anyone thinks it needs to be smaller...

 

[zorinlynx]

Wow, this is going to make the "TouchID forever!" crowd who have Plus-sized phones VERY, VERY HAPPY. I'm all for that as not everyone cares for FaceID and people should have options.

 

[alexandr]

let's not forget the low-cost pro model now...

 

[thadoggfather]

I would definitely welcome this!

 

[now i see it]

FINALLY!!!
A successor to the 8+!
1080p LCD screen, A14 processor. 4GB of RAM, Touch ID.
Take my money. I'll buy it even if it's the most expensive iPhone available.

Please please please let this rumor be true

 

[mannyvel]

My parents are still rocking their 6+ and 7. I'm sure they'd move up to this if the price was right. My SE isn't going anywhere anytime soon, looks like.

 

[Ysdufufi]

All these different numbers and models are going to start getting confusing to many people.

This feels like the nineties when Apple cranked out more and desktop models with overlapping specs. The one thing Jobs did first was to simplify the product lines so the choice was much more clear. Seems Apple needs another effort at pruning the number of products.

 

[jackietreeh0rn]

These are likely the prices and lineup.

iPhone 11 Pro Max - $1,099
iPhone 11 Pro - $999
iPhone 11 - $699
iPhone XR - $599
iPhone 9 Plus - $499
iPhone 9 - $399

So...the $599/$699 phones will have a sub 1080p screen, while a $499 phone will have a 1080p screen? (I know the XR has faceID and all the jazz, but still...)