DigiTimes: New Low-Cost iPhone Component Orders 'Deferred' Until Second Quarter

Apple's upcoming low-cost LCD iPhone has reached the final stage of product verification at assembly lines in China, but delayed components mean it could yet be delayed to the second quarter of the year, according to DigiTimes.

iphone 9 onleaks 1

"‌iPhone‌ 9" concept render by @OnLeaks via iGeeksBlog

In two separate reports today, the hit-and-miss Taiwanese industry publication claims that the so-called "‌iPhone‌ 9" or "‌iPhone‌ SE 2" has reached verification at Foxconn and Pegatron plants, but that Apple has deferred PCB orders for the device from the first quarter to the second due to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, suggesting a possible launch delay.

Taiwan-based flexible PCB makers in the supply chain of Apple devices will see their shipments for the upcoming entry-level iPhone SE2 deferred from the first quarter to the second, and their second-quarter revenues may buck seasonal trends because of the deferral, according to industry sources.

Up until now, all the rumors have been pointing to a launch for the low-cost device as early as this month. Rumors have suggested the new ‌iPhone‌ could be announced on March 31, with a launch to follow on April 3. However, it's possible that production on the new low-cost ‌iPhone‌ could potentially see some delays due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak in China, according to multiple sources.

Apple's new low-cost ‌iPhone‌, which is expected to look more like an ‌iPhone‌ 8 than anything else, will feature a 4.7-inch LCD display, but will come upgraded with the same A13 chip that's in the ‌iPhone‌ 11 and 11 Pro, according to rumors. It is said to include 3GB RAM, and will continue to offer Touch ID instead of Face ID, with a Home button at the bottom of the device.

The upcoming low-cost ‌iPhone‌ is expected have a $399 price tag, so it should be a popular upgrade option for ‌iPhone‌ users who currently have an ‌iPhone‌ 6 or 6s and are looking for an affordable upgrade that offers the same feature set.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iphone 16 apple intelligence

Apple Aiming to Release 'Breakthrough' New iPhone Accessory

Wednesday February 18, 2026 12:43 pm PST by
Apple is looking for a "breakthrough" with its push into wearable AI devices, including an "AirTag-sized pendant," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a report this week, he said the pendant is reminiscent of the failed Humane AI Pin, but it would be an iPhone accessory rather than a standalone product. The pendant would feature an "always-on" camera and a microphone for Siri voice...
Multicolored Low Cost A18 Pro MacBook Feature

Low-Cost MacBook Expected on March 4 in These Colors

Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple will announce its rumored low-cost MacBook at its event on March 4, with the device coming in a selection of bold color options, according to a known leaker. Earlier this week, Apple announced a "special Apple Experience" for the media in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Posting on Weibo, the leaker known as "Instant Digital" said that the...
iphone 17 pro green

iPhone 17 Pro Max Curiously Becomes Most Traded-In Smartphone

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:13 am PST by
New trade-in data indicates that Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max has rapidly become the single most traded-in smartphone. According to a new report from SellCell, Apple's latest flagship iPhone has quickly risen to the top of the independent trade-in market, accounting for 11.5% of all devices appearing in the top-20 trade-in rankings just months after release. The analysis is based on SellCell...
CarPlay Liquid Glass Dark

iOS 26.4's New CarPlay Video Feature Shown in Action

Wednesday February 18, 2026 9:29 am PST by
Back at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that it was planning to allow CarPlay users to watch video via AirPlay in their vehicles while they are not driving, and the first beta of iOS 26.4 suggests the feature may be nearing availability. There are several new references to CarPlay video streaming functionality within the iOS 26.4 beta's source code. The feature is not yet visible to users, but...
Dynamic Island iPhone 18 Pro Feature

10 Reasons to Wait for Apple's iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:12 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...

Top Rated Comments

78 months ago

Unless I missed something... isn’t there still a possibility for iOS 14 on the SE?

I mean yes there is a high probability that iOS 13 is the end of the road, but isn’t there still a chance that iOS 14 will also be compatible... especially if it is focusing on bug fixing?
Only Apple knows.
As a developer I can tell you the sooner they drop support for 4'' displays the better, because the screen is too tiny and you have to shrink you UI to fit. If people increase the font size it is even worse.
As a user I know some people like small phones, but I wish they made an X like iPhone mini without bezels, so you'd still have a small phone with a decent display.

Sorry for being a little off topic. To answer your question I think the SE and 6s may still be updated. Apple now needs to focus on services, and is better for them to have a customer keeping its old iPhone that switching platform. And having more devices on the latest OS is good too, as you don't have to support older versions of the OS for a long time.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
78 months ago

Clearly, Apple could make it even better by offering OLED on iPhone 9.
#1.)Clearly an OLED panel would only raise the price, and isn’t the point of this phone to keep it entry level/affordable?

#2.) ‘Better’ is always subjective. OLED panels don’t necessarily make the viewing experience better for everyone, not when consumers can’t even differentiate between the OLED v.s. LCD.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mag33 Avatar
78 months ago
Many people prefer LCD to OLED and most can't even tell the difference in daily use.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
78 months ago
this is much needed and would be I BIG seller for APPLE

I owned an iPhone SE up until just recently when iOS 13 was the last OS compatible with the SE
Then I moved to an iPhone 8 Plus

People want cheap iPhones and ones that can fit in your pocket still with the latest processing power but without the HUGE price tag of the iPhone 11.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bmac89 Avatar
78 months ago

I owned an iPhone SE up until just recently when iOS 13 was the last OS compatible with the SE
Then I moved to an iPhone 8 Plus
Unless I missed something... isn’t there still a possibility for iOS 14 on the SE?

I mean yes there is a high probability that iOS 13 is the end of the road, but isn’t there still a chance that iOS 14 will also be compatible... especially if it is focusing on bug fixing?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
78 months ago
I'm part of the minority that doesn't like OLED. The oversaturated colors, ghosting and burn-in issues completely negate the perfect blacks...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)