A video featuring a device that appears to be a cross between an iPhone SE and an iPhone X surfaced on Weibo this morning and was shared by Japanese site Macotakara.

The smartphone in the video, which has a notch at the front, an edge-to-edge display, and a vertical rear camera in a body that's similar to the current iPhone SE, is very likely an Android clone device. Fake devices like these can often be found in China, where the video originated.


There have been rumors suggesting Apple is working on a second-generation iPhone SE, but none of those rumors have indicated the device will take on iPhone X design elements. There is no indication that the device in the video is a valid Apple product at all, and in fact, it conflicts with rumors we've heard about a potential future iPhone SE 2.

For example, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who often shares reliable information on Apple's upcoming products, has said that if a new iPhone SE 2 is indeed in the works, it's not likely to offer design updates or outward-facing changes due to Apple's work on the three iPhones expected in September of 2018. Kuo is, in fact, skeptical that a new iPhone SE 2 is in development right now.

Rumors about the iPhone SE have been somewhat conflicting in general. Supply chain rumors in November indicated an iPhone SE 2 would be released in the first half of 2018, but recent information suggests Apple has no plans to introduce a new iPhone until later in 2018.

Sketchy rumors from a Chinese site also recently said Apple would introduce a new iPhone SE that looks similar to the current iPhone SE at WWDC, but the site has no reliable track record.

All in all, Apple may have a new iPhone SE 2 in the works, but it's unlikely that the device is going to adopt iPhone X elements as the iPhone SE is a low-cost device while the iPhone X is Apple's top-of-the-line flagship smartphone.

Later in 2018, Apple is expected to introduce a second-generation iPhone X with a 5.8-inch OLED display, an "iPhone X Plus" with a 6.5-inch display, and a lower-cost iPhone with a 6.1-inch LCD display. All three of these are expected to adopt edge-to-edge displays with minimal bezels and the TrueDepth Camera system for Face ID.

It could perhaps be argued that the device in the video is the 6.1-inch iPhone, but we've heard no rumors suggesting that particular device will have an iPhone SE-style body thus far.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

loftiness Avatar
100 months ago
mmm looks real to me, go back and watch the UI closely. @Editors did you folks even watch the video before saying "There is no indication that the device in the video is a valid Apple product at all", because it doesn't match what you already know? Come on, I expected better on this site.

If this is an android copy, it's copying iOS so well and it's essentially indistinguishable, look at the unlock animation and swipe-up animation, I just don't see a cheap android copy that look anywhere close to this. It also wouldn't make any sense since most android knockoffs are really shobby. I can't see any single UI element in this video that says it's not iOS.

So possibilities I see are:
a) This is the real new iPhone SE or, more likely the new 2018 flagship iPhone X

or this is fake:
b) really good video editing CGI compositing job
c) iPhone X disguised in a different case
d) somehow iOS 11 hacked to run on android hardware
e) an almost perfect copy of iOS UI performing on a level that's rare on android

Personally I'm betting on a)
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CmdrLaForge Avatar
100 months ago
In other words - I can keep my money and keep waiting until Apple releases an iPhone SE X
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MattXDA Avatar
100 months ago
The OS shown is iOS, no doubt about it. However, the phone doesn’t look small to me, it looks a very similar size to my X.
I think it’s an iPhone X in a modded body. Pause at 0:15 and look how far the screen sticks out of the body.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tobefirst ⚽️ Avatar
100 months ago
I would sell my X and buy this in a heartbeat. I loved my 5S, and thought my 6S was a little too big. Like @JGIGS, I would love a 4.2-4.3" phone in a body roughly the size of the SE. It has to have roughly the internals of the X though. I could live without as great a camera, but it has to be speedy and have the other features.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JGIGS Avatar
100 months ago
Fake. Apple is not going to butcher sales of their high end X model by including faceID, dual camera, oled screen in a smaller, budget friendly phone.
Well I'm guessing it wouldn't be budget friendly anymore. Personally I'd be all over it. I love small phones for one handed use. I find the iphone X a bit too large for my liking (might be better without a case). Loved the size of SE. Could have maybe been a smidge bigger. like 4.2 inches.

4.2 iphone X styled SE2? Sweet! When I say 4.2 I just mean making it a little wider obviously the screen would be bigger.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonblatho Avatar
100 months ago
Real or fake it looks awful without the bezels. This bezel less obsession has to stop.
They’re not coming back.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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