Rumors about the refreshed 4-inch iPhone being referred to as the iPhone 5se are growing, this time with a report that Apple is adding Wistron as a second assembler for the handset. The company is expected to unveil the phone at a March event which could also bring the first glimpse of the iPad Air 3.
Wistron signed on as iPhone 5se supplier
Digitimes reports that while Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision) will remain the main supplier for the new 4-inch iPhone 5se, Wistron will also supply some of the phones. It’s a known fact that Apple has been mitigating risks by diversifying its supply chain, so if the iPhone 5se is real, this isn’t much of a surprise. Apple struck an agreement with Compal Electronics to supply the iPad Mini and with Wistron for the lamination on the touchscreens of the iPhone about a year ago. According to Digitimes, Apple’s decision to add the company as an iPhone assembler with “a small portion” of the orders is its attempt to “nurture Wistron to become an iPhone assembly house.”
The website also reports that at some point, the company may look to Wistron and Foxconn to both be suppliers for the next-gen 5.5-inch iPhone. Foxconn will reportedly remain the biggest supplier for the iPhone Plus models, while Pegatron and Foxconn will continue to share assembly of the 4.7-inch model.
Other iPhone 5se rumors
Apple has been rumored to be planning a 4-inch iPhone refresh for quite some time, with the device being referred to as the iPhone 6c before the iPhone 5se name was introduced. It’s expected to be unveiled on March 15 and then go up for sale three days later. Rumors suggest the phone will actually have a metal casing, unlike the plastic one on Apple’s first attempt at a “less expensive” iPhone, the 5c.
The iPhone 5se is also expected to have a design with curved edges to make it look more like the iPhone 6s and updated components, possibly an A8 or A9 process and Apple Pay support, which means adding near field communication.
