Apple to make low-cost phone similar to the SE next month

Apple to launch ‘budget’ iPhone SE 2 next month featuring a 4.7-inch screen and the revived TouchID fingerprint reader, report claims

Bloomberg report claims iPhone SE 2 will go into production in February
Source close to the matter says it could be launched as soon as March 2020
Price has not been revealed but the spec will be similar to the $499 iPhone 8
Report claims it will have 4.7-inch screen of iPhone 8 but processor of iPhone 11

Published: 12:47 GMT, 22 January 2020 | Updated: 12:52 GMT, 22 January 2020

Apple will begin manufacturing a successor to the hugely popular budget iPhone SE in February, a report claims.

The low-cost alternative to the Cupertino-based firm’s flagship models is expected to feature a TouchID fingerprint sensor, which was abandoned after the iPhone 8.

It is also thought to have a 4.7-inch screen, but it will be powered by the same processor as Apple’s current flagship device, the iPhone 11.

The price of the headset has not been revealed, but it is thought it could go on sale as soon as March 2020.

Apple has not commented on the reports.

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Apple will begin manufacturing a successor to the hugely popular budget iPhone SE in February, a report claims. The low-cost alternative to the Cupertino-based firm’s pricey models is expected to revive its TouchID fingerprint sensor, which was abandoned after the iPhone 8. pictured, leaked renders of the SE 2

HOW DOES TOUCH ID WORK?

Touch ID uses a small touch sensor encased around the home button that scans the layers of skin on a finger.

Users can ‘train’ their iPhone to read and learn their unique fingerprint and when they touch the home button, the phone is unlocked.

Touch ID can also be replace an App Store password when buying music, apps or books.

It uses a ‘laser cut sapphire crystal’ to take a high-resolution image scan before the Touch ID software in iOS 7 detemines whether the print belongs to the owner or not.

All fingerprint information is encrypted and stored securely inside the device’s chip.

The prints are not stored on an Apple server, or backed up to iCloud.

The Bloomberg report adds further fuel to fire of speculation that Apple is indeed working on a budget iPhone.

Myriad leaks and reports are claiming the so-called iPhone SE2 will help Apple target customers at the lower end of the smartphone market.

According to Bloomberg, a source close to the project claims the manufacturing process will begin next month, and the new handset could be released as early as March.

It is thought to be similar to the iPhone 8, which can still be purchased new for $499. When Apple released the iPhone SE in 2017, it was priced at $399.

The SE 2, which has not been confirmed by Apple, will reportedly have the same A13 chip used to power the iPhone 11.

Apple has lost ground against rivals recently, due to its failure to release a 5G-enabled phone in 2019 and its decision to focus on developing expensive handsets.

While popular with avid Apple fans around the more affluent nations of the world, smartphone users in poorer countries tend to opt for cheaper Android alternatives.

Bloomberg reports: ‘A cheaper offering may help Apple better compete in the most price-competitive and fast-growing emerging phone markets, particularly India.

‘iPhones are still a hard sell in the country, which is overrun by aggressively-priced Android rivals coming in at less than $200.’

It is widely believed Apple will launch its first 5G enabled handsets later this year which also come with aster processors and 3D cameras fitted to its flagship handsets.

Myriad leaks and reports are claiming the so-called SE2 (pictured) will help Apple target customers at the lower end of the smartphone market. It is thought to be similar to the iPhone 8, which can still be purchased new for $499. When Apple released the SE in 2017, it cost $399

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