Leaf&Core

iPhone 9 (iPhone SE 2) Rumors Solidify. Is it Finally Time?

Danielle from Leaf and Core
Reading Time: 3 minutes.

The smaller iPhone 8We have been hearing rumors about the “iPhone SE 2″ since the first incredibly popular iPhone SE. The fact is, people still want small phones. They don’t want to spend $700 for a hunk of metal and glass that doesn’t fit in their pockets. People want something small and affordable. Unfortunately, the iPhone SE 2 rumors have evolved since they first started. Initially, we were promised an iPhone X-like device with an iPhone 5 body. Imagine that. A 6” screen in the palm of your hand. It would have been incredibly popular. However, the “iPhone 9,” as we’re now calling Apple’s future inexpensive iPhone, won’t be that.

It will, however, be Apple’s most affordable new iPhone.

So here’s what we think we know about the iPhone 9—formerly iPhone SE 2—so far, including a possible release date and price point.

Rumored Hardware

We’re not getting a full-screen iPhone SE, unfortunately. I’d love something small and compact like that, especially with the square sides instead of these infuriatingly hard to grip and awkward feeling rounded sides Apple has been obsessed with since the iPhone 6. Instead, we’re getting a more modern familiar design.

You guys liked the iPhone 8, right?

The iPhone 9 will, rather than retain the popular small form factor of the iPhone SE, will adopt the… less popular form factor of the iPhone 8. It’ll be the 4.7″ design, specifically, which is about the size of the 5.8″ iPhone 11 Pro, but with more bezels. It will, however, come with the same processor and memory of the iPhone 11. Unlike the iPhone 11, expect Touch ID and a smaller screen on this device. If you were hoping for a more pocket-friendly iPhone, you’re out of luck. However, if you were looking for a cheap iPhone 8 with the power of the iPhone 11, I guess you’ve got your answer.

The camera would likely be the same as the primary camera in the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro. However, that will likely be the sole camera. It could also have the primary camera from the iPhone XS instead.

Rumored Release Date

Recent leaks from frequently accurate leaker Evan Blass point to a mid-March release. This would fall in line with the previous iPhone SE release, as well as other special iPhone releases, such as the first (Product)Red iPhone. This aligns with many other sources pointing to a sprint release, including Bloomberg and Nikkei.

Rumored Price

This may be the main selling point for most buyers. The screen size won’t be special, the form factor is disappointing, but the price will make it the cheapest new iPhone by a large margin. The iPhone 9 supposedly will sell for $399. That’s $50 less than the iPhone 8 is selling for now, but would come with Apple’s latest processors. That’s the power of the iPhone 11 for $300 less. It would be a steal, matching the price of the first iPhone SE. This would help Apple claim some of the low cost Android market, which is a primary driver for Android marketshare worldwide.

Rumored…

Okay, here’s the real kicker: this isn’t the first time we’ve heard an iPhone SE rumor. Every year, around spring, we hear the same thing. “The iPhone SE 2 is coming! Apple fans, rejoice!” Every year since the iPhone SE 2, that has been false. Apple has not provided anything like the iPhone SE since March of 2016. The rumors have changed, from a new iPhone in the ever popular iPhone 5 body, to a full-screen iPhone 5, to now this, an iPhone 9. It’s likely a great way for Apple to expand their market to include people who can’t shell out $1,000 every year for a new iPhone (you know, most people). It’s an opportunity for Apple, and a great deal for consumers. However, every year, this perfect storm of both profitable for Apple and consumers has passed us by.

Could 2020 be the first year since 2016 we haven’t been disappointed? Maybe!

Sources:

 

Exit mobile version