No one knows for sure if Apple is going to launch a refreshed version of iPhone SE. But rumors about the so-called iPhone SE 2 have been circulating online for the last several months. Past reports claimed that Apple could launch the second-generation iPhone SE in March this year. However, a new report coming out of China suggests that the device would be unveiled at the WWDC 2018 event.
Apple traditionally holds the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June. Chinese publication QQ.com has learned from its sources that Apple would show off the iPhone SE 2 at the WWDC 2018. The site also mentioned the upcoming phone’s specifications, and most of them seem realistic. It claims the iPhone SE 2 would run the A10 Fusion processor that was found inside the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
QQ.com added that the upcoming phone would pack 2GB RAM, and would be available in 32GB and 128GB storage options. The device would retain the Touch ID fingerprint sensor rather than switching to Face ID. It makes sense considering the iPhone SE 2 would target the low- and mid-range segments. The phone won’t look like iPhone X, meaning it would still have bezels at the top and bottom of the screen.
The Chinese site claims that Apple would increase the screen size to 4.2-inch from just 4-inch on the original iPhone SE. It makes little sense considering 0.2-inch of the extra screen won’t offer any major benefits. And it would require a lot of internal design changes. It’s a lot of work for a phone that would cost only about one-third of the iPhone X. MacRumors says Apple could trim the top and bottom bezels to accommodate the 4.2-inch display, which would ensure that the overall size of the smartphone remains the same.
It’s entirely possible for Apple to unveil the iPhone SE 2 at the WWDC 2018 event, but the company hasn’t launched a new phone at WWDC since 2010. Another report claimed last month that the second-generation iPhone SE would launch in May or June with wireless charging and a glass back.
The original iPhone SE looks similar to the iPhone 5S. It features an A9 chipset, 2GB RAM, Touch ID fingerprint sensor, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a 12-megapixel main camera. It would be interesting to see if Apple keeps the audio jack on the iPhone SE 2. Last year, Apple doubled the storage capacity on the iPhone SE while keeping the same $349 price tag.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has cast doubt on the iPhone SE 2 release. There are no reports in the supply chain about such a device. It means either there is no iPhone SE 2 or it won’t have any major design changes. The analyst told clients that Apple doesn’t have sufficient spare development resources to launch yet another smartphone. Apple is gearing up to launch three iPhones in September – two OLED models and one with LCD screen.
We saw last year how Apple had to delay the iPhone X launch as the company managed to introduce three iPhones in the same year. The company wouldn’t want to repeat the same mistake this year, says Kuo. Apple has likely dedicated most of its development resources to the 5.8-inch iPhone X2, 6.5-inch iPhone X Plus, and 6.1-inch LCD iPhone. The iPhone SE 2 is not a priority for now. If there are no major design changes, Apple could still manage to launch the second-generation iPhone SE this year.
Apple hasn’t yet announced the dates for the WWDC 2018 event. However, MacRumors reports that the event may take place between June 4 and June 8 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose. It’s the same venue where the 2017 edition of WWDC was held. Apple traditionally announces the WWDC dates in April, though it had revealed the dates for WWDC 2017 in February itself.
WWDC tends to be a software-focused event, and the WWDC 2018 will be no exception. Apple will likely show off the iOS 12, macOS 10.14, and newer versions of watchOS and tvOS at the event. The rumor mill claims that Apple could also announce a few hardware products at this year’s WWDC, including the iPhone SE 2 and a new model of iPad Pro. The iOS 12 will be released to the public in September along with the iPhone X2, iPhone X Plus, and the LCD iPhone.
