There’s a glimmer of hope that Apple will once again make a truly budget handset. Information leaking out of this company’s supply chain indicates that there could be an iPhone SE 2 introduced in 2020.
The iPhone 6s is still alive and well in some markets — one of which is India, where the 2015 flagship is now being manufactured.
Apple is using this to sell the handset to locals. India has become an increasingly important market for the company as smartphone growth in other areas slows to a crawl.
Apple is preparing an entry-level “iPhone XE” that will be introduced this fall, according to a sketchy new report.
The device is claimed to be an iPhone SE successor with huge improvements, including an edge-to-edge display and Face ID. It could also pack Apple’s latest A12 Bionic processor.
Apple has seemingly given up on the iPhone SE form factor. However, it’s not given up selling them — as evidenced by the fact that Apple’s diminutive, 4-inch handset just turned up on Apple’s Online Store.
Apple is selling the handsets in silver, gold, silver, and space gray — with prices starting at a mere $249. That’s great news for anyone who doesn’t want to drop the money necessary to pick up an iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or XS Max.
After Cult of Mac published an editorial recommending an iPhone SE 2, many readers chimed in with support.
The editorial argued that Apple’s success in emerging markets requires a small, inexpensive iOS handset, but quite a few of the comments gave reasons why this model should be released in the U.S. and Europe.
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The iPhone SE is making a rare appearance on Apple’s clearance page. This discontinued model was already inexpensive, and it’s available now for $100 or $150 less than the usual price, depending on the model.
But don’t dither; it’s likely to sell out again quickly.
A sketchy rumor or two indicates that a replacement for the iPhone SE is in development, and an artist ran with this idea to create a video of an updated version of this low-cost handset.
Watch it now:
Apple seemingly scrapped plans for an iPhone SE 2, but there’s good news for fans of Apple’s 4-inch handset. For the third time this month, Apple is offering brand-new, unlocked models of the iPhone SE for up to $150 off.
The handsets are available in rose gold, gold and silver options on Apple’s clearance webpage. The 32GB models cost just $249 and the 128GB models go for $299.
Apple is hoping to secure new tax incentives in India that will allow it to increase local iPhone production and export more devices to be sold in other countries.
The company has teamed up with other large names in the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) to propose a raise in export credits on smartphone shipments, as well as tariff cuts on imports of components and machinery.
The group argues that manufacturing growth cannot be sustained and accelerated without the changes.
