Apple may have accidentally leaked the name for its own upcoming low-cost iPhone, courtesy of an Apple Online Store listing discovered Thursday.
The $39.95 Belkin InvisiGlass Ultra screen protector is advertised as fitting the iPhone 7, iPhone 8 and… iPhone SE. Previous rumors suggested that the new low-cost iPhone would be named either the iPhone 9 or iPhone SE 2. Instead, it seems Apple could go back to the well by reusing the iPhone SE name.
The new screen protector is available for one-day shipping. It is not currently available for pickup, since Apple Stores remain closed outside of China.
Publishing the iPhone SE name appears to be a snafu. While it is listed in the product name on Apple’s website, the drop-down menu makes mention only of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7. (It’s also available in a slightly larger size for the iPhone 7 and 8 Plus.)
Reusing the iPhone SE name
If this naming is accurate (and, since it’s listed on Apple’s website, that would seem likely), this would be the first time in Apple history that it has used the same name for two separate iPhones. The original iPhone SE, an upgraded iPhone 5, debuted in March 2016. The 16GB and 64GB models were discontinued in March 2017. The 32GB and 128GB models were discontinued in September 2018.
Unlike that handset, the new iPhone SE is an upgraded version of the iPhone with new internals. It is rumored to cost $399, the same as the original iPhone SE.
Right now, the biggest question mark over the new handset is when it will ship. It was originally scheduled for March, but pushed back due to the supply chain-disrupting COVID-19. A recent rumor suggested that it would debut April 15. However, a report published Thursday claimed, surprisingly, that Apple could unleash it on the world as soon as today (Friday, April 3.)
Which of these will be the case? We’ll have to wait to find out. Until then, though, at least it seems we know the name of Apple’s next iPhone.
