Kuo: iPhone SE 2 Launch Still Planned for First Half of 2020 Despite Coronavirus Outbreak

We've been hearing for some time that Apple is planning to launch a new low-cost iPhone based on the ‌iPhone‌ 8, but with upgraded internals. This device has been referred to in rumors as the "‌iPhone‌ SE 2" or "‌iPhone‌ 9," although concerns over the impact of the Wuhan coronavirus on production have raised some questions about timing for the launch.

iphone 8 gold top trans
In a new research note seen by MacRumors, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo briefly mentions that the ‌iPhone‌ SE 2 is still expected to launch in the first half of this year. The mention comes in a larger report about smartphone camera lens suppliers, with Kuo noting that the ‌iPhone‌ SE 2 will not include a 7-element plastic (7P) lens, and so will not contribute toward shipments of those advanced lenses.

Because Apple expects that the new iPhone SE2 released in 1H20 will not use a 7P lens, it will not help the 7P lens shipment momentum.

It's unsurprising that the ‌iPhone‌ SE 2 won't include a 7P lens, as the ‌iPhone‌ 8 includes a 6P rear camera lens. With Apple looking to keep pricing on the new phone as low as possible, it will almost certainly be reusing components wherever possible, with the exception of key performance-related components like the A-series chip, which is rumored to move from the A11 chip in the ‌iPhone‌ 8 to Apple's latest A13 chip.

A separate report today claims that an update to Apple's iPad Pro lineup is expected "around March," so it's possible we could see a media event next month for Apple to introduce several new products.

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Top Rated Comments

PickUrPoison Avatar
69 months ago
Are people being reasonable with their expectations, it’s a $399 iphone. Less expensive than the 8, and according to rumors a bump from A11/2GB to A13/3GB.

That’s all I would expect, anything else is gravy don’t you think?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
eric89074 Avatar
69 months ago

if this phone is expected to have an A13 SoC, is it expected to also include eSIM and Gigabit-LTE as well ?

Also I hope it's not a cut down A13 with 2GB RAM - something in this form factor with more like 4GB RAM would be welcome.
I’d be surprised if this gets 4GB of ram. More likely 3GB.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sasparilla Avatar
69 months ago
Nice to hear its coming, although first half of 2020 is a good size backing off of release in March.

They need to have used the 11's or Xr's camera, it'll be a problem if its a reuse of the 8's camera.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mag33 Avatar
69 months ago

Iphone sh*te more like .
Small phones are pointless
4,7" isn't small. It's reasonably sized. Anything over 5.5" is not manufactured to be held in the palm of a regular human being which is all phones should be about.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PickUrPoison Avatar
69 months ago
Why reference a 7p lens? X, XS and even 11, 11 Pro/Pro Max all have 6-element lenses. Who in their right mind expected an upgrade to a 7p lens on a $399 iPhone?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Freida Avatar
69 months ago
You are wrong! If this is the same format as iPhone 8 I will get it straight away. iPhone 11 is just too big for me and there are other things that steer me away from that phone. So yeah, if this turns out to be as rumoured then I can't wait to get it. I think it will be very popular phone for many reasons.




Iphone sh*te more like .
Small phones are pointless
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)