LG will supply the LCD displays for the next iPhone SE, according to insiders.
Indeed, the Korean website The Elec has reported that Apple is currently performing last-minute quality checks on LG’s LCD display before sending the SE into mass production.
The report also suggests that Apple will release the phone in early 2020.
It’s no surprise that Apple has chosen LCD over an OLED display for its new budget smartphone, as LCD displays are much cheaper to manufacture.
The iPhone SE 2 – not its final name – is expected to feature a 4.7-inch display, similar to the iPhone 8, which would give it much more screen real estate than the original iPhone SE, which had a 4-inch display.
Fans of the original SE will no doubt be disappointed by the news of a larger display, especially for those with smaller hands or those who prefer to use their smartphone with one hand, although Apple is adamant that larger screens are good for everyday use and is racing ahead.
Whether this is to streamline its product portfolio and cut costs remains to be seen.
Ming-Chi Kuo recently revealed that the device will look similar to the iPhone 8 with large and thick bezels and a Touch ID home button, rather than Face ID which is now the norm.
Where the new SE differs from the iPhone 8, however, is with its chip.
The new model will feature an A13 Bionic chip – the same as what’s included in the iPhone 11 family – and 3G of RAM, creating a highly capable smartphone for budget-conscious consumers.
Kuo has suggested that the SE 2 will be released in three color options – Space Gray, Silver, and Red – with 64GB and 128GB storage options.
What’s more, the new model will come without 3D Touch, as Apple has replaced this technology with the Haptic Touch solution.
The device will start at $399 in the United States, according to Kuo.
It’s important to note that anything can change ahead of release and that iPhone SE 2 is unlikely to be the name of the device.
Apple is toying with the iPhone 8S and the iPhone 9 branding, according to some reports, which would perhaps be confusing but not impossible.
What are your thoughts on the iPhone SE 2? Let us know on Twitter and check back soon for more news and rumors, as and when we get them.
