Report Suggests Apple’s iPhone SE 2 Has Been Completely Scrapped

Iphone Se 2 Credit: M-TECH PRO
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Bad news for fans of smaller iPhones: a new rumor is reporting that the so-called iPhone SE 2 has been scrapped for this year.

Forbes’ Gordon Kelly, reportedly citing sources at case maker Olixar, wrote over the weekend that the second-generation 4-inch iPhone has been canceled.

More accurately, Kelly’s sources at the third-party case manufacturer apparently reported that this year’s rumored fall lineup will be the only iPhones released this year. That suggests that a fourth iPhone won’t be making it onto the docket in 2018.

In other words, this year’s iPhone lineup will be made up of the following devices:

  1. 5.8-inch OLED iPhone X successor.
  2. 6.5-inch OLED iPhone X Plus.
  3. 6.1-inch LCD iPhone that will occupy a mid-range price tier.

Up until this weekend, Olixar has believed a new 4-inch iPhone handset would be arriving this year.

Citing sources with Apple’s supply chain, Olixar leaked alleged schematics of the new device, which showed off a smaller handset with a slew of iPhone X-style features. Other websites and rumors also hinted that a new 4-inch iPhone would be arriving soon.

The company was confident enough to begin marketing screen protectors cut for the iPhone SE 2’s form factor and rumored edge-to-edge display design.

But Kelly writes that some of Olixar’s “new sources” confirmed that the three iPhones this fall will be the largest iPhones Apple has ever made (and the only ones released in 2018). Olixar so confident in this new information, Kelly writes, that it has “started production on its official line of accessories.”

Of course, it’s hard to independently verify Kelly’s information at this point. It’s also worth taking third-party information with a grain of salt. While some accessory makers get early access to information about upcoming Apple flagships, most of them rely on the same sources of rumors and specifications that we do.

Olixar has a decent track record of leaking accurate information of iPhones, but it’s possible that its sources could be mistaken. Kelly’s own record of accurate forecasting isn’t as sterling.

Scrapping an iPhone when prodution has reportedly already begun would be pretty unheard of for Apple, but it isn’t impossible. If the iPhone SE 2 was canceled, it’s probably more likely that it was a prototype device.

It could also make sense, given the current demand trend toward larger smartphones. Still, it’s worth noting that the iPhone SE was a surprise hit for the Cupertino tech giant. Additionally, just because an iPhone SE 2 isn’t coming this year doesn’t mean that Apple couldn’t debut the device in 2019.

In either case, we recommend taking this new report with some healthy skepticism until further information arises — particularly as the case for an upcoming iPhone SE 2 release is already pretty strong.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]

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