Maybe Apple hasn’t given up on iPhone SE just yet

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iPhone SE camera
Apple is expected to launch a new iPhone SE in May.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple hasn’t given up on its smallest, most affordable iPhone just yet.

A new report claims the 4-inch iPhone SE is due for a refresh soon, and that it will get its very own event this August. What’s more, the new model will be even cheaper than the one Apple sells today.

Just this week, respected Chinese analyst Pan Jiutang told investors that Apple has no plans to refresh the iPhone SE. He said the company simply sees no need for a refresh with more and more people switching to larger devices.

But a source for French blog iGeneration says that’s false. They claim Apple will indeed introduce a refreshed 4-inch iPhone at a dedicated event this August. The device is expected to go on sale in Europe for €399, down from the €489 it currently charges for iPhone SE.

As expected, Apple will hold another event in September to unveil iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus, and the much-anticipated iPhone 8, the report adds.

The source doesn’t offer any other information, so it’s unclear what we can expect from the new model. If it is getting its very own event, Apple presumably has big changes up its sleeve, rather than just incremental improvements to its internals.

But don’t get your hopes up just yet. This is a pretty questionable report that offers very little information, so it’s probably best we take it with a pinch of salt. We’ve heard very little from Apple’s supply chain about plans for a new 4-inch device.

Furthermore, iOS 11 clearly wasn’t designed with small screens in mind. Many user interface elements have been enlarged and header text has gotten bolder, indicating Apple’s probable plan to focus on larger displays and phase out the 4-inch option.

It seems more likely the company will offer older models of the 4.7-inch iPhone at more affordable prices for those on a budget. However, the existing iPhone SE could be maintained for emerging markets like India, where affordable smartphones remain top dog.

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