iPhone SE 2 Rumored to Be Made in India, Debut Early 2018
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In an effort to expand its manufacturing capacity in India, Apple has commissioned Wistron to begin developing a next-generation iPhone SE in the Middle-East, according to a new report by Focus Taiwan, which cites local sources familiar with the agreement.
Wistron is already the majority manufacturer of Apple’s current iPhone SE model, which the Taiwanese-company began building at its new factory in Bangalore, India earlier this year; and so as Apple seeks to build-out its manufacturing in the densely-populated country, within which Wistron is its dominant partner, it only seems fitting that the iPhone-assembler would be given the bulk majority of next-generation iPhone SE orders. The report goes on to cite that we can expect to see the new iPhone SE, boasting faster internals and a slightly-revamped design, sometime in the first quarter of 2018.
Sources cited within the report made a somewhat bizarre claim, however, suggesting that Apple’s upcoming iPhone SE will initially be exclusive to consumers in the Indian market — prior to its availability being expanded to other markets around the world. However this seems unlikely, even though the Cupertino-company has bold aspirations for honing in on the vast and relatively unchartered Indian market. Wistron is currently the only Apple-affiliated manufacturer in India, though, and that being the case, the company hopes to expand its production capabilities even further with the help of the Indian government.
“Taiwan-based contract electronics maker Wistron Corp. is preparing for expansion of its production base in India to produce the next-generation smaller iPhone — the iPhone SE,” sources said, while adding that “Wistron is expected to start to ship the new iPhone SE — which is expected to be more affordable than larger iPhones for many Indian consumers — in the first quarter of next year.”
iPhone SE 2 Rumored Specs
According to Tekz 24, an India-based technology blog, Apple’s ‘iPhone SE 2’ will not only feature the same slate of components used in the iPhone 7, but it will also feature a slightly-revamped design. The next-generation iPhone SE 2 will boast an A10 Fusion SoC, 2 GB of RAM, either 32 or 128 GB of SSD storage, 12 MP and 5 MP rear- and front-facing cameras, as well as a slightly larger 1700 mAh battery. Additionally, the device is said to feature “slightly thinner side-bezels,” which will render it more aesthetically similar to Apple’s iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus than the current iPhone SE.
Worth noting, of course, is that this wouldn’t be the first time we’ve heard about an impending iPhone SE refresh. Earlier this summer, a report surfaced suggesting that Apple would be releasing a revamped iPhone SE in August; however, given that it’s August now, and we’ve heard no additional news of an impending refresh, Focus Taiwan’s claim of an early-2018 debut for Apple’s next pint-sized iPhone seems a bit more realistic.
[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.]
