Upcoming Low-Cost iPhone Again Rumored to Be Priced at $399

[MacRumors]

Apple is planning to price its rumored low-cost iPhone at $399, according to a new report out this week from Fast Company.

The site was told by an unspecified source that the iPhone will "likely" sell for $399, backing up a previous report from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who said in October that the iPhone would be available at that price point.

iPhone SE and iPhone 8​

At $399, the new low-cost iPhone will have the same starting price as the 2016 iPhone SE, which is why some people have referred to it as an "iPhone SE 2." Others have been calling it the "iPhone 9," but we don't yet know what Apple will name it.

We do know quite a bit about its specs, though, thanks to numerous leaks. The upcoming low-cost iPhone will be similar in design to the iPhone 8, with thicker top and bottom bezels and a Touch ID Home button.

It will be equipped with the same A13 chip that's available in the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro, and it is said to have 3GB RAM. To keep costs low, it will use a single-lens rear camera, though it's not known if the camera will be the same as the wide-angle camera in the iPhone 11. It could be available in 64 and 128GB size options, and colors are expected include Space Gray, Silver, and Red.

Render of low-cost iPhone SE from Onleaks​

Production on the new low-cost iPhone was supposed to begin in February, but Apple's supplier factories are shut down at the current time due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak in China. It's not clear if this will affect production plans and if the launch date of the iPhone will be delayed.

Prior rumors suggested we could see the new low-cost iPhone in the first half of 2020, perhaps in March. Apple often holds its first event of the year in March, and if there is indeed a March event in the works this year, we should be hearing about it soon.

The new low-cost iPhone is expected to be a popular iPhone upgrade option for those who are coming from an iPhone 6s or iPhone 7, as the design will be similar. It should also appeal to those who want an affordable iPhone option, those who like Touch ID, and those who prefer smaller form factors, even though it won't be as small as the iPhone SE, Apple's original low-cost iPhone.

Article Link: Upcoming Low-Cost iPhone Again Rumored to Be Priced at $399

 

[Seanm87]

I have a feeling this thread will be less about this phone and more about why apple doesn't make a 4 inch phone anymore...

 

[mi7chy]

Hope it doesn't come with an embarrassing near 720p display considering the upcoming $249 Moto G8 Power has 6.4" FHD+, 4GB/64GB, 5000mAh battery, mask friendly fingerprint authentication, etc.

 

[somethingelsefl]

MR Forums: “That’s too expensive. It should be free. Apple is greedy.”

 

[azentropy]

Not everyone wants a huge phone and not everyone wants to spend $700+. I fit in the first category and will be getting one, but then would also get the 5.4" in September if it ends up being even smaller.

 

[Slash787]

I assume the 128GB would be for $499 or $549?

 

[Baymowe335]

Hope it doesn't come with an embarrassing near 720p display considering the upcoming $249 Moto G8 Power has 6.4" FHD+, 4GB/64GB, 5000mAh battery, mask friendly fingerprint authentication, etc.

You’re paying for iOS as much as the hardware.

Enjoy the G8.

 

[1345873]

MR Forums: “That’s too expensive. It should be free. Apple is greedy.”

2 out of 3 correct!
[automerge]1581188728[/automerge]

I have a feeling this thread will be less about this phone and more about why apple doesn't make a 4 inch phone anymore...

So enlighten me, why don't they make the 4 inch phone anymore?

 

[LeeW]

Whatever you say, whatever you think, at $399 it will be a winner at that end of the market.

Not only that, Apple Watch sales will go up, AirPods sales will go up, more services purchased, more apps bought.

It is not about Apple wanting to do a cheap phone, they had to do it to increase market share and sell more accessories and services.

 

[pike908]

That is a shocker, yes it's been reported to be at $399, however, I was thinking it would be $449 or $499. Watch it be $399 with only 32GB of storage and $499 for 128GB of storage...

 

[ghanwani]

Ever since I heard this is based on the iPhone 8, it put a damper on my excitement. I might still get one since it would be lightest phone in the lineup.

 

[fokmik]

2 out of 3 correct!
[automerge]1581188728[/automerge]


So enlighten me, why don't they make the 4 inch phone anymore?

Because now in the same body as the 4” iphone 5 design you can fit an 4.7”

 

[Rychiar]

Why would you upgrade from a 7 to this? The 7 has a 2x zoom. I’d buy one of these for my dad but he wants the zoom

 

[BuddyTronic]

I still think it would be great if they call it the “SE X”. Hardeeharhar!

 

[Darth Sidious]

If this happens, I will buy instantly. This is amazing at the price and of course you get one of the best operating systems for the price!

 

[LeeW]

Watch it be $399 with only 32GB

Plenty for the target market.

Why would you upgrade from a 7 to this?

You wouldn't and Apple doesn't want you to.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Hope it doesn't come with an embarrassing near 720p display

you're not going to notice the difference unless you grab a super high res phone and put it side by side. let a budget phone be a budget phone. rather bump up the RAM/CPU/camera over getting a 1080p display.

 

[superiska123]

If it's the iPhone 7/8 chassis with the A13 processor, the iPhone 11 camera (minus the ultra-wide) and 64 GB at $399 I will buy it ASAP.

I have no intention of buying a phone larger than the 7, couldn't care less about the other specs and will never switch back to Android.

I suspect I'm not the only one who feels that way and Apple knows it.

 

[Elyzien]

Apple only needs 1 upgrade in this unit Qualcomm modem...

 

[goobot]

I feel like it’s more likely to be 499 imo

 

[baryon]

I'd be really happy to see Apple releasing an affordable phone again. There used to be several price tiers with MacBooks, iPhones, iPods, etc... Think original plastic MacBook, small iMac, iPod Shuffle, and iPhones that originally were much cheaper and more expensive options (like the iPhone X) were introduced along side of them, rather than being the only option. Now there's just "very expensive" and "very very expensive". This would probably be my next iPhone if the price is indeed what they say.

 

[oneMadRssn]

Hope it doesn't come with an embarrassing near 720p display considering the upcoming $249 Moto G8 Power has 6.4" FHD+, 4GB/64GB, 5000mAh battery, mask friendly fingerprint authentication, etc.

The only embarrassing thing will be in 3 years having that scratched up cheapo plastic Motorola that is slow as molasses and stuck on a 3-year-old OS.

 

[PickUrPoison]

That is a shocker, yes it's been reported to be at $399, however, I was thinking it would be $449 or $499. Watch it be $399 with only 32GB of storage and $499 for 128GB of storage...

I assume the 128GB would be for $499 or $549?

No, the base will probably be 64 GB and it will be $449 for 128 GB. But it could be 32/128 for $399/449.

 

[44267547]

Two Things will sell this phone: [Price point _and_ iOS]. There’s nothing else that needs to be said about this, being that consumers don’t need to have the latest technology, especially when they want a smaller form factor.

 

[mi7chy]

You’re paying for iOS as much as the hardware.

More reason it should cost less since iOS < iPadOS and 2019 iPad 7th gen is ~$240 street price. Shrink the iPad with lower material cost for smaller display and battery while adding cellular radio so price of budget iPhone should be no more than $299. May be a moot point afterall and a product launch failure if it doesn't include mask friendly Touch ID. Face ID + Touch ID then pattern unlock as backup would be ideal.