iPhone SE Plus Launch Delayed to Second Half of Next Year

iPhone SE Plus Release Delayed from Early to Late Next Year
iPhone SE Pre-orders Perform Better Than Expected... 'Downgrade Purchases' Are an Issue
"iPhone 12 6.7-inch Model Release Delayed... Mass Production After October"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jinju Han] Apple is expected to release a 5.5-inch 'iPhone SE Plus' sometime after the second half of next year. The pre-order performance of the 2nd generation iPhone SE is considered to be better than market expectations.

On the 21st (local time), Ming-Chi Kuo, an Apple specialist and analyst at TF Securities, explained in an investor note that "the release schedule for the iPhone SE Plus has likely been delayed from the first half of 2021 to the second half of 2021." Last December, Kuo predicted that Apple would launch a mid-range iPhone SE Plus model featuring a 5.5-inch display with Touch ID.

IT media outlet The Verge stated, "Apple has only released the 4.7-inch 2nd generation iPhone SE, leaving the design, features, and release schedule of the 5.5-inch Plus model a mystery."

Although the launch of the iPhone SE has been well received in the market, there are opinions that it could lead to a decline in sales of the iPhone 11 series. Kuo explained, "The order volume for the iPhone SE is exceeding expectations, which ultimately means consumer spending is being adjusted downward." This implies that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers are seeking more affordable smartphones and postponing purchases. Kuo has revised down the estimated iPhone shipment volume for Q2 2020 by 30% due to the impact of COVID-19.

Kuo also analyzed that the mass production schedules for some models in the iPhone 12 series, set to be released in the second half of this year, will be staggered. Apple plans to release three models: 5.4-inch, two 6.1-inch variants, and a 6.7-inch model. Kuo stated, "Only the 6.7-inch model, which has the most complex design, will be ready for mass production in October, while the other three models will begin mass production starting in September." The iPhone X, released in 2017, was launched several weeks later than other models, and the iPhone XR was also released about a month later, setting a precedent.

Among the iPhone 12 series models supporting 5G, the iPhone supporting millimeter wave (mmWave) may also face delays. Kuo explained, "This is due to antenna design changes." It is expected that Apple will reduce the shipment allocation for iPhones supporting the millimeter wave band to 5-10%. Apple is known to support both sub-6 GHz and millimeter wave (mmWave) bands in the iPhone 12 series.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.