We are collecting the latest leaks and rumors regarding the iPhone SE 2 release date, price, technical specifications, design and new features. If you're hoping for a new little iPhone, or a 2020 version of the SE – potentially branded XE or iPhone 9 – then read on.
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Apple sells six iPhone models, but what it currently lacks is a smaller handset at a lower price. Fans of small, affordable handsets are clamoring for a replacement for Apple's 4-inch iPhone SE, which was discontinued in September 2018.
A possible replacement for the SE was the iPhone XR, introduced in September 2018. But this handset has a higher price (although it has recently been reduced to £ 629 / $ 599) and is considerably larger . Right now, the smallest option is the iPhone 8, with its 4.7-inch screen, priced at £ 479 / $ 449.
But it is hoped that an iPhone SE 2 will be launched in the near future: TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo thinks it will happen in March 2020. Kuo thinks the new iPhone will include the following :
- 4.7 inch screen
- A13 chip
- 3 GB RAM
- 64 GB internal storage
- A updated LCP antenna for improved wireless performance
- Space gray, red and silver finishes
- Price from $ 399
We also hear that it could be considered the iPhone 9, and that there is an outside chance that Apple will launch it in two separate models. A new concept illustration shows this device as a modified iPhone 8 with frosted glass on the back.
In this article, we collect and analyze the clues indicating the release date of SE 2 (or iPhone 9), technical specifications, design, new features and price.
Release date
- IPhone SE 2 release date: March 2020
When will we have a new iPhone SE? Opinions are divided. On the one hand, it is possible that we never get such a small SE replacement – a 4-inch screen is rather cramped for today's tastes.
However, some reports indicate that we will have a new iPhone at low cost. And it could happen in the spring of 2020.
TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's publication a note in October 2019, predicts that Apple "will launch the more affordable iPhone SE2 at 1Q20". It is the first three months of 2020, if you are not familiar with the lingo – and it has since said that it should be launched in late March 2020.
Kuo reiterated his claims in a research note (via MacRumours) in mid-November, indicating that we will see the iPhone SE 2 with a new iPad Pro in the first half of 2020.
Kuo isn't the only one making this prediction. In April 2019, Barclays analyst Blayne Curtis suggested that a new iPhone with a smaller screen could arrive in 2020. According to some "suppliers" who have "mentioned a potential iPhone SE 2 with internal iPhone 8 ". More here from MacRumors.
There's a small chance that Apple will launch two small iPhones in 2020, or two slightly different versions of the same device. This is the claim of Digitimes (subscription required), and is based on information from anonymous sources in the Apple supply chain: a display driver chip supplier, Chipbond Technology, has reportedly received orders for two different LCD products. We're not totally convinced by this, but it could mean that an iPhone 9 and 9 Max are on the cards.
What will the next iPhone SE be called?
Probable options include iPhone SE 2, iPhone SE Pro and – out of left field – iPhone 9.
A December 2019 report by Macotakara cites "informed source" as support for his theory that Apple is considering this strangely overlooked number for use in its next small smartphone, after switching from iPhone 8 to iPhone X (pronounced ten), then 11.
The site develops the logic of this brand image by claiming that the new model "continues to adopt the body of the iPhone 8 as is", but "mounts (a) bionic A13 chip".
Price: how much will the iPhone SE 2 cost?
TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo estimates $ 399 (which we would translate to £ 399 or slightly above, based on Apple's usual formula).
Until September 2018, the iPhone SE cost £ 379 / $ 399 for the 32 GB version and £ 479 / $ 449 for 128 GB; it was later abandoned. These prices are comparable to the iPhone 8 (Apple's cheapest phone currently), which starts at £ 479 / $ 449 for 64 GB.
Note that if SE 2 is launched, it may not launch where you live. Some reports from 2018 suggested that a new SE handset could be launched, but that it wouldn't be available everywhere.
According to Economic Daily, a Chinese-language site, Apple was working in 2018 on a low-end iPhone named Hangzhou. This low-end low-priced model was apparently to be launched with the aim of "capturing the low-end market" in China and India.
Another report claimed that SE 2 would be launched in India before being launched in other territories. This seems doubtful to us, even if it could correspond to Apple's plans to offer a cheaper handset to certain territories (normally Apple does so by offering an older version of the iPhone to certain countries).
iPhone SE 2: Design
The research note from TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo for November 2019 indicated that the new iPhone may be available in space gray, red and silver. The iPhone SE was available in silver, gold, space gray and rose gold options.
Regarding form factor, in his research note published in October 2019, Kuo said: "For the most part, the form factor design and hardware specifications are similar to that of the iPhone 8" , indicating that the new iPhone SE will look like the iPhone 8, rather than adopting the iPhone X style, full screen, without a home button.
This will likely appeal to those who want to upgrade to a new iPhone but who prefer Face ID less to unlock their device.
However, this suggests that the new iPhone SE 2 will not be the smallest that many hope. If Kuo is right, the new iPhone will have the same dimensions as the iPhone 8.
There is always a chance that the SE 2 will be smaller than the iPhone 8. A Chinese report In February 2018, the new iPhone SE 2 would have a design similar to the current iPhone SE, but with a larger 4.2 inch screen – which is still smaller than the 4.7 inch screen on the IPhone 8.
Dimensions
As we said above, the new iPhone SE should look more like the iPhone 8 than the iPhone SE.
The iPhone SE had a 4-inch screen (it's 4 inches measured diagonally from corner to corner). The handset itself measured 123.8mm by 58.6mm and was 7.6mm thick. He weighed 113g.
The iPhone 8, which has a 4.7-inch screen, measures 138.4 mm by 67.3 mm and 7.3 cm thick. It weighs 148g.
We could however consider a slightly larger device. At DigiTimes report, in April 2019 suggested that a 5.42 inch iPhone (which is admittedly small by current Apple standards – current generation models measure 5.8 inches, 6.1 inches and 6 inches, 5 inches) could be launched in 2020. The store's Taiwanese supply chain sources are planning three new iPhone handsets with OLED screens measuring "5.42 inches, 6.06 inches and 6.67 inches".
Antenna
Ming-Chi Kuo also predicted that the iPhone SE 2 will benefit from an updated antenna design for better wireless performance.
In a research note seen by MacRumors, analyst at TF International Securities said that suppliers of Apple Career Technologies and Murata Manufacturing will begin production of antenna components for iPhone SE 2 in time for the launch of Spring 2020. The news antenna will be in LCP, or liquid crystal polymer, a class of material known for its resistance to stresses and its extremely low ferroelectric reaction times.
iPhone SE 2: Specifications
As for the components inside the new iPhone SE 2, here is what the rumors indicate:
Processor
TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo estimates that the iPhone SE2, which it plans to launch in 2020, will adopt an A13 processor, according to its October research note 2019. Kuo also estimates that the new SE will offer 3 GB of RAM (the SE offered 2 GB of RAM).
It’s the same processor as the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max.
The SE featured the A9 chip, used in the iPhone 6S. With iOS 13 requiring the iPhone 6S or newer, it would be very surprising if Apple used an older processor than the A11 Bionic found in the iPhone 8.
However, according to a Tekz24 report In August 2017, the new iPhone SE 2 will use the A10 Fusion chip (as seen in the iPhone 7).
A Chinese man report as of February 2018, also suggested that the new iPhone would use the A10 Fusion chip.
Even the code in Apple's XCode development software seemed to suggest that a new iPhone that shares specifications with the iPhone 7 may be in the works. This phone – signified by the name iPhone XX (this is not what the phone will be called, but rather a placeholder) – seemed to have an A10 processor, like the iPhone 7.
Guilherme Rambo of 9to5Mac referred to the code in an August 2018 tweet, noting that the code refers to a device with an A10 processor and a P3 range display, but without a notch or face identifier. This could be an SE replacement.
T500 / iPhone 9,7 – Replacement of iPhone 7 ("iPhone SE2")
LCD N84 / iPhone 11.1 – 6.1 "(notch, facial identification, dual sim option)
D3x / iPhone 11.3 – 5.8 "OLED (notch, facial identification)
D3x / iPhone 11.5 – 6.5 "OLED (notch, Face ID)– Guilherme Rambo (@_inside)
Aug 22, 2018
Developer Steve Troughton Smith tweeted the suggestion that it could mean an iPhone 7 "cheaper to make".
Exactly that; a cheaper iPhone 7 to manufacture, possibly with new suppliers and component factories. I would not read more given the information we have https://t.co/i8oUvJcMZg
– Steve Troughton-Smith (@stroughtonsmith)
Aug 22, 2018
Screen
It looks like the iPhone SE 2 could have a 4.7 inch screen rather than the current 4 inch. The Home button should stay on SE 2, so don't expect the notch.
Camera
We could see a FaceTime 5Mp or 7Mp camera with Retina Flash replacing the FaceTime 1.2Mp camera in the current model.
Aside from that, the handset is likely to retain many of the features of the current iPhone SE, such as:
- 12Mp camera: The current SE offers 12Mp with an f / 2.2 aperture. The iPhone 8 has an f / 1.8 aperture.
- No Bump: A key difference between the iPhone SE and 8 is the lack of camera bump on the larger model. Hopefully the new iPhone SE camera on the back of the iPhone will also be flat.
Drums
The battery inside the SE2 would have a slightly increased rating from 1640 mAh to 1700 mAh – this might be necessary to power the slightly larger screen, if this occurs.
New features
The new iPhone SE will not be a flagship, so you shouldn't expect completely new features – it's more a question of what features will flow from high-end iPhones.
Face ID
This is biggie, and if we look at an iPhone SE with Face ID, that would imply that we also get an edge-to-edge screen and no Home button.
It seems unlikely, as Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF International Securities, said: "The form factor design and hardware specifications are similar to those of the iPhone 8".
Wireless charging
The new iPhone SE 2 could offer wireless charging thanks to the rumored glass back. In January 2018, Tekz24 city a "very reliable source" who said the new iPhone SE 2 would have a glass back panel and "could support wireless charging".
Leaks from photos, videos, and illustrations
Despite the lack of certainty as to whether Apple will update the SE, we have seen a number of iPhone SE 2-related leaks in recent years. There have also been many concept illustrations: images and videos created to explore design concepts rather than actual leaks.
The latest offer appears on iGeeksBlog, but was created by OnLeaks. These illustrations conceptualize the iPhone SE 2 essentially like an iPhone 8 but with frosted glass on the back instead of shiny.
Going back a little further, this conceptual video from (or technically for) ConceptsiPhone shows an iPhone SE 2 with a notched full screen display, two rear camera lenses (in the iPhone 11 layout) and a headphone jack … which seems unlikely at this point. point.
A leak, published May 31, 2018, presents screen protectors for the SE 2 and the iPhone X, and seems to confirm that the first will have the same notch design as the second. (According OnLeaks, accessory manufacturers, including Alibaba, are also preparing for a notch design.)
imagery appearing on April 26, a design with a new glass back for wireless charging – and a 3.5 mm hole for a headphone jack. This latest news will be a surprise to some, given that a few days earlier, another image appeared which seemed to show no headphone jack.
The images appeared on a Chinese social networking site, and their reliability is unclear.
Slashleaks released an image allegedly showing the chassis of the iPhone SE 2 in two colors – gold and rose gold. And they clearly have glass backs, which suggests wireless charging support.
A concept video from Gunho Lee for ConceptsiPhone shows an iPhone SE 2 imagined with a full edge-to-edge screen. So if you're wondering what a 4 inch iPhone with a notch and no home button would look like, you might like to watch the video below. This concept also includes a glass back to allow wireless charging.
Here is a CAD photo of the factory OnLeaks, who warns that he "is still unable to confirm this":
Case maker Olixar has created an iPhone SE 2018 rendering for a screen protector that it plans to sell; the image was provided to us by Mobile Fun. The company says it is based on information from the supply chain.
Here's an idea of what we might expect from Concept Creator, imagining what the iPhone SE 2 might look like if Apple were to give it an iPhone X-like redesign and new vivid color finishes:
Concept Creator previously made another iPhone SE 2 video with an iPhone X remake theme:
Why Apple Needs a New iPhone SE
Apple still sells a lot of iPhones, but by company stellar standards, sales have plummeted in recent quarters. Is this due to the lack of a small affordable handset in the Apple range?
May be. Tim Cook suggested that China was the key to reducing Apple's estimates for Apple's first quarter 2019, blaming trade wars and the economic slowdown in this part of the world. But the current range of iPhones does not seem well suited to this huge and largely untapped market, which is amply supplied with cheaper phones from its own manufacturers in the Far East.
Assuming China does not ban Apple in retaliation for (apparently temporary) Huawei ban, seems ripe for the launch of a low-cost Apple handset that would appeal to fashion-conscious consumers who don't want to settle for a phone more than two years old. Apple may have seen iPhone XR (and its successor the non-iPhone 11) as meeting these criteria: at an introductory price of £ 749 / $ 749, the XR was cheaper than the XS, and the iPhone 11 was announced at $ 699 in the United States. But these are always higher figures than what the SE costs when it is new.
Interestingly, in the first months of 2019, Apple started selling SE shares in surprise sales. The stock quickly disappeared, suggesting that there is both a demand for an iPhone of this size (4 inches) and that people are desperate for a cheap iPhone. After establishing the level of demand, could Apple now determine that it is time to launch a new iPhone SE?
In what could be seen as an attempt to disguise the high price of the XR, Apple announced the handset as if it cost £ 499 / $ 499 – but this is only for exchange if you have a handset reasonably new to exchange. What Apple needs is a phone Actually costs £ 499 / $ 499.
Well, that’s it for now. Check back regularly for the latest rumors on the iPhone SE 2. For buying advice on the current line of Apple phones, take a look at our roundup of best iPhone deals as well as our IPhone buying guide.