Rumors of a new entry-level iPhone have picked up steam lately, thanks in
large part to reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The new low-cost iPhone
will reportedly target people still using older devices like the iPhone 6
that can't run iOS 13. Read on as we round up what we know so far about the
iPhone SE 2 features, specifications, and more.
Update 1/11/20: As of the beginning of 2020, all signs still point to a
spring release for the iPhone SE 2, but we've learned a few more details
about the device.
First off, as far as naming, a report has suggested
<https://9to5mac.com/2019/12/06/iphone-9-could-be-iphone-se-2/> that the
iPhone SE 2 might actually be called the "iPhone 9." This would make sense
given the device's rumored similarities to the iPhone 8, both in terms of
design and form factor.
Speaking of design, a new set of video renders
<https://9to5mac.com/2020/01/07/iphone-9-video-renders-again-show-iphone-8-d
esign-with-frosted-glass-back/> has offered a closer peak at what the
iPhone 9 might look like. These renders depict a home with a form factor
nearly identical to the iPhone 8, but with a frosted glass back similar to
the iPhone 11 Pro finish. This would create a sense of uniformity among
Apple's iPhone lineup, despite the other differences in design.
Those renders also show that the iPhone 9 might be around 0.5mm thicker than
the iPhone 8, measuring in at 7.8mm thick. Other than that difference, the
device is expected to be identical to the iPhone 8.
All in all, it's more clear than ever that the so-called iPhone SE 2 isn't
really a followup to the iPhone SE. Instead, it's a refreshed version of the
iPhone 8 with the A13 processor and a guarantee of iOS updates for many more
years. With a $399 rumored starting price, it's also an easier upgrade than
the more expensive iPhone 11 lineup.
The iPhone SE
As a bit of backstory, the first iPhone SE was introduced in 2016,
continuing the iPhone 5-era design amid the launch of devices like the
iPhone 6s and iPhone 7. The iPhone SE was positioned at the low-end of the
iPhone lineup, priced at $399 for 16GB of storage.
The iPhone SE was unique for offering the specifications of the then-modern
iPhone lineup, at a lower-end price and in a smaller form factor. Parts of
that will hold true for the rumored 'iPhone SE 2,' but there are also some
key changes to Apple's strategy.
Design
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo
<https://9to5mac.com/2019/10/13/kuo-iphone-se-2-details/> , the iPhone SE 2
will feature a design similar to that of the iPhone 8. This means the device
will have a 4.7-inch display with a Home button, as opposed to the
bezel-less design and Face ID authentication of the iPhone 11 lineup.
On the back will reportedly be a single-lens rear camera. In an effort to
keep costs low, Apple will keep the camera array of the iPhone SE 2
relatively simple, though it remains unknown if features like Portrait mode
could be enabled via software.
As for colors, Kuo has said that the iPhone SE 2 will come in space gray,
silver, and red. The addition of red is notable, as it is generally a
popular color and came to the iPhone 8 lineup in a mid-year update
<https://9to5mac.com/2018/04/09/apple-announces-special-edition-productred-i
phone-8-and-8-plus-order-from-tomorrow/> .
All in all, Apple clearly isn't trying to reinvent the wheel with the iPhone
SE 2. Instead, it's sticking to the design that made the iPhone 6, iPhone 7,
and iPhone 8 so popular - which makes sense considering the upgraders that
Apple is targeting.
Tech specs
Much like with the original iPhone SE, the new iPhone SE will be just as
powerful as modern-day iPhones. According to supply chain reports, the
iPhone SE 2 will likely feature Apple's A13 processor. This is the latest
and greatest Apple processor, which is also used in the iPhone 11 and iPhone
11 Pro. The iPhone SE 2 will also reportedly feature 3GB of RAM, which is
1GB less than the iPhone 11 lineup, but still more than enough for almost
anything you could throw at it.
While there are whispers that Apple is working on an iPhone that supports
both Face ID and Touch ID, don't expect the iPhone SE 2 to be that device.
With an iPhone 8-like design, it's expected that the iPhone SE 2 will
support Touch ID for biometric authentication.
Most notably, the inclusion of the A13 processor means that the iPhone SE 2
will be supported by iOS for years to come. Apple is targeting iPhone 6
users with the new iPhone SE, and those people have been holding onto their
phones for as long as five years. Thanks to the A13 processor, they should
be able to do the same with the iPhone SE 2.
Price and release
According to Kuo, Apple is targeting a $399 entry-level price
<https://9to5mac.com/2019/10/13/kuo-iphone-se-2-details/> for the iPhone SE
2 with 64GB of storage. You'll also be able to upgrade to 128GB, likely at
either $449 for $499.
The original iPhone SE debuted back in 2016 at $399 for a 16 GB
configuration. When Apple discontinued the SE in 2017, the entry price had
dropped to $349 and the base storage capacity had been doubled to 32 GB.
Essentially, you'll be able to get the iPhone SE 2 for the same price as the
original iPhone SE, but with 4 times as much storage.
What about the current iPhone 8? It's still available in Apple's lineup,
with the company selling the 64GB iPhone 8 for $449. Given that
the iPhone SE 2 will likely be cheaper and more powerful, one has to assume
that the iPhone 8 will be removed from Apple's lineup in conjunction with
the iPhone SE 2 launch.
When should we expect the iPhone SE 2 to be released? Kuo anticipates a
release sometime during the first quarter of 2020. Apple has made a habit of
holding special events in March over the last several years, so that's
certainly something that could continue in 2020 - especially considering
that the original iPhone SE was released in March of 2016.
Naming
Last but not least, a note on naming. Kuo continues to refer to this
low-end, 4.7-inch iPhone as the "iPhone SE 2." As we have pointed out
<https://9to5mac.com/2019/10/09/the-iphone-se-2/> , this new iPhone isn't a
followup to the iPhone SE in terms of form factor.
The original iPhone SE featured a 4-inch display, which is what made it so
popular among many people. The so-called iPhone SE 2 will get significantly
bigger at 4.7-inches, with the goal being to bring iOS 13 to more users -
not to appeal to those who like the smallest possible phone.
Kuo doesn't have any insight into Apple's marketing plans, so it's unclear
whether Apple will call this device the iPhone SE 2, iPhone 9, or something
completely different.
Wrap-up
As Kuo has said, Apple's goal with the iPhone SE 2 is to incentivize those
still using the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus to upgrade. That makes quite a
bit of sense, especially considering that those devices were dropped by iOS
13 this year.
Because iOS 13 is not supported on the iPhone 6 series, those users are
unable to access Apple's newest services such as Apple Arcade and Apple TV+.
A low-cost iPhone SE 2 makes it easier for those users to upgrade and
therefore increases the active user base capable of accessing Apple Arcade
and Apple TV+.
Apple's goal is clearly to drive more users towards its subscription
services, even if that means offering more affordable, yet just as powerful
iPhone hardware. Analysts have predicted that Apple could sell over 30
million iPhone SE 2 phones across all of 2020. What you shouldn't expect
from the iPhone SE 2 is a 4-inch followup to the original iPhone SE. Apple
has clearly changed its trajectory, and seemingly has no plans to release
another 4-inch iPhone.
By Chance Miller at:
www.9to5mac.com
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