Kuo: iPhone SE 2 Launch Still Planned for First Half of 2020 Despite Coronavirus Outbreak

We've been hearing for some time that Apple is planning to launch a new low-cost iPhone based on the ‌iPhone‌ 8, but with upgraded internals. This device has been referred to in rumors as the "iPhone SE 2" or "‌iPhone‌ 9," although concerns over the impact of the Wuhan coronavirus on production have raised some questions about timing for the launch.

iphone 8 gold top trans
In a new research note seen by MacRumors, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo briefly mentions that the ‌iPhone SE‌ 2 is still expected to launch in the first half of this year. The mention comes in a larger report about smartphone camera lens suppliers, with Kuo noting that the ‌iPhone SE‌ 2 will not include a 7-element plastic (7P) lens, and so will not contribute toward shipments of those advanced lenses.

Because Apple expects that the new iPhone SE2 released in 1H20 will not use a 7P lens, it will not help the 7P lens shipment momentum.

It's unsurprising that the ‌iPhone SE‌ 2 won't include a 7P lens, as the ‌iPhone‌ 8 includes a 6P rear camera lens. With Apple looking to keep pricing on the new phone as low as possible, it will almost certainly be reusing components wherever possible, with the exception of key performance-related components like the A-series chip, which is rumored to move from the A11 chip in the ‌iPhone‌ 8 to Apple's latest A13 chip.

A separate report today claims that an update to Apple's iPad Pro lineup is expected "around March," so it's possible we could see a media event next month for Apple to introduce several new products.

Related Roundup: iPhone SE
Buyer's Guide: iPhone SE (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:12 pm PST by
Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley and his colleagues recently traveled to Asia to meet with various electronics manufacturers and suppliers. In a research note this week, outlining key takeaways from the trip, the analysts said they have "confirmed" that a fourth-generation iPhone SE with an Apple-designed 5G modem is slated to launch towards the end of the first quarter next year. In line with previo...
airtag purple

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch Next Year With These New Features

Sunday November 17, 2024 5:18 am PST by
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three over and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development. Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag. Timing Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman....
Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard

No, Apple CEO Tim Cook Didn't Say He Prefers Logitech's MX Master 3 Over the Magic Mouse

Sunday November 17, 2024 3:03 pm PST by
While the Logitech MX Master 3 is a terrific mouse for the Mac, reports claiming that Apple CEO Tim Cook prefers that mouse over the Magic Mouse are false. The Wall Street Journal last month published an interview with Cook, in which he said he uses every Apple product every day. Soon after, The Verge's Wes Davis attempted to replicate using every Apple product in a single day. During that...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Releases iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 With Security Fixes

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that debuted earlier in September. iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 come three weeks after the launch of iOS 18.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 17.7.2 for...
at t turbo indicator iphone 16 pro max v0 8hrh7w5f3w1e1

AT&T Turbo Indicator Showing Up in iPhone Status Bar for Subscribers

Wednesday November 20, 2024 3:42 am PST by
AT&T has begun displaying "Turbo" in the iPhone carrier label for customers subscribed to its premium network prioritization service, according to reports on Reddit. The new indicator seems to have started appearing after users updated to iOS 18.1.1, but that could be just coincidence. Image credit: Reddit user No_Highlight7476 The Turbo feature provides enhanced network performance through ...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Surpass iPhone 6 as Thinnest iPhone Ever

Monday November 18, 2024 1:07 pm PST by
In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong today, obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said he agrees with a recent rumor claiming that the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will be around 6mm thick. "We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model," he wrote. If that measurement proves to be accurate, there would be ...
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Make Sure to Update: iOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerabilities

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:52 am PST by
The iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 updates that Apple released today address JavaScriptCore and WebKit vulnerabilities that Apple says have been actively exploited on some devices. With the JavaScriptCore vulnerability, processing maliciously crafted web content could lead to arbitrary code execution. The WebKit vulnerability had the same issue with maliciously crafted...

Top Rated Comments

PickUrPoison Avatar
62 months ago
Are people being reasonable with their expectations, it’s a $399 iphone. Less expensive than the 8, and according to rumors a bump from A11/2GB to A13/3GB.

That’s all I would expect, anything else is gravy don’t you think?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
eric89074 Avatar
62 months ago

if this phone is expected to have an A13 SoC, is it expected to also include eSIM and Gigabit-LTE as well ?

Also I hope it's not a cut down A13 with 2GB RAM - something in this form factor with more like 4GB RAM would be welcome.
I’d be surprised if this gets 4GB of ram. More likely 3GB.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sasparilla Avatar
62 months ago
Nice to hear its coming, although first half of 2020 is a good size backing off of release in March.

They need to have used the 11's or Xr's camera, it'll be a problem if its a reuse of the 8's camera.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mag33 Avatar
62 months ago

Iphone sh*te more like .
Small phones are pointless
4,7" isn't small. It's reasonably sized. Anything over 5.5" is not manufactured to be held in the palm of a regular human being which is all phones should be about.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PickUrPoison Avatar
62 months ago
Why reference a 7p lens? X, XS and even 11, 11 Pro/Pro Max all have 6-element lenses. Who in their right mind expected an upgrade to a 7p lens on a $399 iPhone?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Freida Avatar
62 months ago
You are wrong! If this is the same format as iPhone 8 I will get it straight away. iPhone 11 is just too big for me and there are other things that steer me away from that phone. So yeah, if this turns out to be as rumoured then I can't wait to get it. I think it will be very popular phone for many reasons.




Iphone sh*te more like .
Small phones are pointless
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)