We’ve been hearing rumors about a refresh of the iPhone SE for quite some time. Early rumors referred to the device as the “iPhone SE 2,” but more recent rumors have attached the “iPhone 9” moniker. Now there’s a new iPhone 9 rumor which suggests there could be not one, but two new, less expensive models with LCDs.
A new iPhone 9 rumor
Digitimes reports that Apple will likely launch up to six new iPhones this year, including four with OLED displays and two with LCDs. The two LCD-equipped iPhones are expected to look a lot like the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, but with their internals updated to be like the iPhone 11. Supposedly, these phones will bear the iPhone 9 and 9 Plus names.
The Taiwan-based news outlet cites sources in Apple’s supply chain for the claim about the two iPhone 9 models. However, the only proof that was offered was a report that Apple ordered chips for two different LCD models from Chipbound Technology. The company builds display driver chips used for LCDs.
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A more likely story
9to5Mac suggests that there could be a simpler explanation than an iPhone 9 rumor about two different models with LCDs. The tech blog believes it is more likely that Apple is getting LCD panels from two suppliers which require driver chips that are a bit different.
Another possibility is that there could be a minor upgrade at some point later in the year. The tech blog thinks it is unlikely that there will be two iPhone 9 models this year. Instead, it seems more likely that the second driver chip could have something to do with the Plus model that’s rumored to be coming next year.
Other iPhone 9 rumors
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has been talking about the low-end iPhone model that’s rumored to be in the works for quite some time. In October, he said it will share the same design as the iPhone 8 and come in 64 GB and 128 GB storage options. He said the starting price will be $399, and it will be available in three colors: red, space gray and silver.
If he is correct, the device will also feature the A13 chip and 3 GB of RAM that was in the iPhone 11 line-up, but it won’t have 3D Touch. It would also mean that the iPhone 9 will end up being like an iPhone 8 with iPhone 11 internals. Google did something similar with the Pixel 3 and 3a last year.