While the 4-inch iPhone SE released in March was a sales hit, Apple is unlikely to bring an updated version of the lower-cost handset in 2017’s second quarter, a respected analyst has claimed.
KGI Securities’ Ming-Chi Kuo, who regularly issues accurate predictions about in-the-works Apple products, made this admission in words quoted by 9to5Mac. The analyst reckons that Apple’s strategy here is aimed at keeping gross margins high and avoiding taking too many sales away from pricier iPhones.
To us, the report makes a lot of sense. With its price point starting at $399, the least that Apple charges for any new and non-refurbished iPhone, the SE could be seen as a spiritual successor to the iPhone 5C. That phone was released in September 2013, so Apple clearly didn’t hurry to bring out the follow-up.
If Apple does hold a March media event, it evidently could focus on new iPads in 12.9-, 10.1- and 7.8-inch sizes and updated iMacs – leaving little time for a refresh to the SE, which today remains great value for the price given its A9 processor, 2GB of RAM and support for in-store Apple Pay.
