KEY POINTS

  • Some retailers are now offering iPhone 11 models at discounted prices
  • But, a new report claims that Apple might launch two affordable iPhone models this year
  • These upcoming iPhone might be called iPhone SE 2 or iPhone 9

Apple officially launched its latest flagship smartphone series in Sept. 2019, the new iPhone 11. Several retailers all over the world are now offering the premium smartphone series at a discount. But, it seems that this may not be necessary for the coming months as Apple is releasing two more affordable iPhone models—iPhone SE 2, according to a new report.

The Cupertino company could launch the low-cost iPhone SE 2 with a 4.7-inch display earlier this year. It will be followed by another budget iPhone SE 2 model with a 5.5-inch or 6.1 display, according to Digitimes. The launch of the iPhone SE 2 with a bigger display might be pushed to the later part of 2020 or early 2021, reveals that report, which received the information from supply chain insiders in Taiwan.

Unfortunately, Digitimes does not say the reason for this release pattern for the iPhone SE 2. Six iPhone models will launch in 2020, according to the report. It is one model less than the prediction revealed by TFI analyst and reliable Apple tipster Ming-Chi Kuo in the early part of 2019. From these numbers, it appears that four models will be under the iPhone 12 flagship line up.

iPhone 8
Apple’s iPhone 8 is experiencing sluggish sales in South Korea. Reuters/Edgar Su

The iPhone SE 2 might launch by the end of Mar. 2020, according to reports. Apart from this, the Cupertino company is also working on a bigger version of iPhone SE 2, said Ming-Chi Kuo. The model might be called iPhone SE 2 Plus because of its size, but it might not arrive until 2021, added the TFI analyst.

It is possible that the iPhone SE 2 that Digitimes is referring to is what Ming-Chi Kuo calls the iPhone SE 2 Plus, considering the ‘bigger’ display and the release window. But, there is no way to know for sure. If the reports are to go by, it seems that consumers will have to wait longer for the arrival of the iPhone SE 2 Plus.

Reports claim that iPhone SE 2 will be a budget-friendly iPhone model that will share the design of the iPhone 8. Speculations have it that the low-cost iPhone might be called iPhone 9. For now, it is wise not to get too excited about these exciting details considering that these are not official.