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 Roundup: iPhone SE
Buyer's Guide: iPhone SE (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

recoil80 Avatar
40 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)
44267547 Avatar
40 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
40 months ago
Many people prefer LCD to OLED and most can't even tell the difference in daily use.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Freeangel1 Avatar
40 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
40 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)
superiska123 Avatar
40 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)

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