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
94 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
94 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
94 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
94 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
94 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
94 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)

Popular Stories

Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's 'CarPlay Ultra' Experience Now Available

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:07 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its next-generation CarPlay experience, now dubbed "CarPlay Ultra" begins rolling out today, starting with Aston Martin vehicles. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. CarPlay Ultra is now available with new Aston Martin vehicle orders in the U.S. and Canada. It will also be available for existing models that feature the brand's next-generation ...
Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's CarPlay Ultra Is Here – Does Your iPhone Support It?

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:17 am PDT by
Apple's recently announced CarPlay Ultra promises a deeply integrated in-car experience, but not all iPhone users will be able to take advantage of the new feature. According to Apple's press release, CarPlay Ultra requires an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or later. This means if you're using an iPhone 11, iPhone XR, or any older model, you'll need to upgrade your device to access...
CarPlay Ultra Climate Controls

Apple Says These Vehicle Brands Plan to Offer All-New CarPlay Ultra

Thursday May 15, 2025 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. CarPlay Ultra features deep integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster and systems, built-in Radio and Climate apps, customizable widgets, and more. The interface is tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's identity, and drivers can also adjust...
iPhone 12 Made in India

Trump Tells Tim Cook to Stop Building iPhones in India

Thursday May 15, 2025 2:21 am PDT by
President Donald Trump has asked Apple CEO Tim Cook to halt the company's manufacturing expansion in India, in a potential disruption of Apple's plan to shift iPhone production away from China. "I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday," Trump said during his state visit to Qatar, according to Bloomberg. "He is building all over India." "They [India] have offered us a deal where...
apple music

Apple Music Gets New Transfer Tool to Make Switching From Spotify Easier

Wednesday May 14, 2025 5:17 pm PDT by
Apple this week introduced a new feature designed to allow prospective Apple Music users to import their saved music and playlists from third-party music services to Apple Music. The feature is either in an expanded testing phase or it has started rolling out, and it is available in Australia and New Zealand according to an Apple Support document. Signs of the transfer option first surfaced...
maxresdefault

Here's the First Real-World Look at Apple's CarPlay Ultra

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:52 am PDT by
The first videos of Apple's CarPlay Ultra experience are now available, providing a never-before-seen look at the long-anticipated iPhone-linked infotainment software. British automaker Aston Martin today shared the first video of Apple's CarPlay Ultra experience in-action, followed by a detailed walk-through of the CarPlay Ultra system on Top Gear's YouTube channel, which provides the...
iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.5 With New Wallpaper, Screen Time Changes, Carrier Satellite Support for iPhone 13 and More

Monday May 12, 2025 10:06 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, the fifth updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that came out last September. iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 come a little over a month after Apple released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. The iOS 18.5 update has a...
fortnite apple logo 2

Epic Resubmits Fortnite to U.S. App Store After Not Hearing From Apple for 120+ Hours

Wednesday May 14, 2025 1:01 pm PDT by
On Friday, Epic Games submitted Fortnite to the U.S. App Store, and since then, we've been waiting to see if Apple would approve the game and allow it back on the iPhone and the iPad. There's been no word from Apple so far, but Epic Games opted to pull its first App Store review request, and has now resubmitted Fortnite. Fortnite leaker Shiina shared the news, with the information reposted by...