DigiTimes: Apple Suppliers Gearing Up for iPhone SE 2, But iPhone 12 Production May Fall Behind Schedule [Updated]

Taiwan-based suppliers are gearing up for production of a new lower-cost iPhone, a device that has been tentatively referred to as the iPhone SE 2 or iPhone 9, according to paywalled information shared by DigiTimes.

While the lower-cost iPhone may be on track, DigiTimes also reports that Apple has stopped sending engineers to China to assist with the Engineering Validation Test or EVT stage of iPhone 12 development. Last month, Apple said it was restricting travel to China to "business critical" purposes only due to the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, which has also forced many Apple suppliers to suspend operations.

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As a result, DigiTimes believes iPhone 12 models are unlikely to enter production in June, citing unnamed industry sources. Given the coronavirus outbreak is a fluid situation, though, timeframes may change. If the production delay ends up materializing, it is still very possible that Apple will announce its iPhone 12 lineup in September as usual, even if supply of the devices is tighter than usual.

Rumors suggest that the iPhone 12 lineup will include four new models, including one 5.4-inch model, two 6.1-inch models, and one 6.7-inch model, and each will likely be equipped with a faster Apple-designed A14 chip. DigiTimes expects A14 chip orders to be 50-60 percent higher than A13 chip orders.

All of this information was shared in DigiTimes' Daily Digest for paying subscribers, with the full reports likely to be released by tomorrow.

Update: The full DigiTimes report has been released and, as we suspected, it claims that the iPhone 12 production delays are unlikely to affect Apple's plan to announce the new devices in September.

Related Roundup: iPhone SE
Buyer's Guide: iPhone SE (Don't Buy)
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Top Rated Comments

44267547 Avatar
65 months ago

more reason some may switch to the new Samsung S20.
So you’re suggesting consumers are switching to the S20 just because of iPhone production ‘may’ fall behind? That’s Not really a valid argument. That’s like me saying ‘if Samsung falls behind on their latest smart phone, customers are just going to abandon ship and totally jump to the iPhone.’ That doesn’t make sense. Consumers are devoted to the platform they choose, if the production is behind, that means they just have to wait a little bit longer.

it’s a much bigger leap to switch smart phone platforms, especially if you’re devoted to iOS, which extends to the AirPods, HomePod, etc.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rp2011 Avatar
65 months ago
I think everyone is cool with waiting a little longer for our gadgets under these circumstances. we just hope things get better soon for everyone and everyone’s sake.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Freeangel1 Avatar
65 months ago
more reason some may switch to the new Samsung S20.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Braderunner Avatar
65 months ago

more reason some may switch to the new Samsung S20.
Good! More iPhones available for the rest of us.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rocko99991 Avatar
65 months ago

Call me arrogant but why should their flagship model EVER be effected by the production of a $300 dollar budget phone? Apple shouldn’t be producing those anyway, waste of resources and time. There are millions of iPhone 7’s on eBay that should serve that demographic.
Many people want new. Warranty, clean.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PickUrPoison Avatar
65 months ago

Call me arrogant but why should their flagship model EVER be effected by the production of a $300 dollar budget phone? Apple shouldn’t be producing those anyway, waste of resources and time. There are millions of iPhone 7’s on eBay that should serve that demographic.
Read the article. The potential delay of the 12 has nothing at all to do with the “SE2”


Unfortunately, some people can’t afford “new.” And that’s okay. But why should the people who are contracted to receive a new phone every year, on the same month have the inconvenience of waiting longer for a flagship product?
Because there’s a deadly epidemic that’s affecting the engineering schedule. And your contract doesn’t specify what month the new iPhone will be available. If there is a delay, you’ll have to somehow figure out how to live with it. Life is really tough sometimes.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)