Home Technology Apple planning to release iPhone SE 2 in 2020, says Ming Chi-Kuo

Apple planning to release iPhone SE 2 in 2020, says Ming Chi-Kuo

Reports surfaced last year about Apple’s planning to launch a new 4-inch iPhone model inspired by the iPhone X. However, the launch was shelved as the company reportedly wanted to focus entirely on its 2018 iPhone lineup. That said, key sources now indicate that Apple might soon launch the long-awaited successor to the iPhone SE.

According to a report by MacRumors, credible Apple insider Ming Chi-Kuo reveals that Apple is indeed working on the rumored iPhone SE2. Kuo further notes that it’ll get powered by the new A13 Bionic SoC, the company’s top-end chipset that powers the latest iPhone 11 Pro range. The chipset will be paired with 3GB LPDDR4X RAM, also found on the new iPhone 11.

Kuo also stated that the iPhone SE 2 will not be a smaller version of the iPhone 11. Instead, the handset’s form factor will be similar to the iPhone 8 making it much more compact than most of the smartphones currently available these days.

Interestingly, Kuo also notes that the iPhone SE2 will feature Touch ID, which is quite faster compared to Face ID. Industry experts suggest that Apple plans to bring back Touch ID for its 2020 iPhone lineup.

Kuo also suggests that if the handset becomes a reality, it would be a great upgrade choice for millions of users as shipments for the same are expected to reach 40 million units next year. He also believes a certain section of customers isn’t excited about new features such as Face ID and multiple cameras, indicating that the “iPhone SE 2” will only offer Touch ID and a single-lens rear camera.

Notably, Kuo’s predictions fall in line with other key sources, who’ve also claimed that Apple plans to launch a cheaper iPhone next year in order to boost its share in the mid-tier smartphone market. It’ll be aggressively priced at around $649 and will rival smartphones from the likes of Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi.

To recall, Apple surprised everyone with the launch of the iPhone SE at a time when 5-inch smartphones were the norm of the day. The original iPhone SE was targeted at a specific user base that preferred 4-inch handsets as opposed to giant-sized screens. However, 4-inch smartphones are fast diminishing now given the widely adopted trend of bezel-free smartphones, allowing manufacturers to fit bigger screens in a compact form factor.