iPhone SE 2 secs and price

iPhone SE 2 release date, price & tech specs

If you prefer your iPhones to be smaller and cheaper - and many do - then you may be pleased to hear that there are some rumours pointing to a new version of the iPhone SE launching in 2018, or at least a new handset that is being positioned as a cheaper version of the iPhone X.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that along with updates to the iPhone X and a bigger version of that full-screen iPhone with an OLED screen, Apple will launch a cheaper iPhone - except that handset will be a 6.1in model with an LCD screen, so perhaps not the smaller handset many are hoping for, but still a potential successor to the iPhone SE.

If this rumoured LCD handset is indeed the replacement for the iPhone SE, does that mean Apple will no longer continue to sell a smaller handset? It's starting to look that way... But before you rush off to look at smaller Android handsets, bear in mind that the iPhone X squeezes a bigger screen into a smaller handset that's 143.6mm by 70.9mm, and is 7.7m thick, while the iPhone SE is still a small 123.8mm by 58.6mm and 7.6mm thick. That's just 2cm longer and slightly more than 1cm wider, so the iPhone X may not be as massive as you were thinking...

But if you think small is perfect, don't completely give up hope - we have seen details of a leaked screen protector and "factory CAD shots", both of which point to an iPhone X-style notch design on a small SE-sized handset.

So, read on to find out more about the iPhone SE 2 as we collect and analyse the clues, hints and evidence pointing to the release date of Apple's follow-up to the iPhone SE, as well as the iPhone SE 2's tech specs, design, new features, pricing and leaked images.

This page will be updated whenever new information emerges relating to the launch of an updated iPhone SE, so check back regularly for the latest iPhone SE 2 rumours. For buying advice related to the current range, take a look at our roundup of the best iPhone SE deals as well as our iPhone buying guide.

iPhone SE 2 release date

Lots of rumours point to a new version of the iPhone SE being launched in 2018.

There was some speculation that the new phone would arrive in May 2018. When it failed to materialise, there was some hope that an iPhone SE 2 would launch at Apple's WWDC event on 4 June, but Apple used the event to show off software including iOS 12 and watchOS 5 instead. 

So, are we going to have to wait until September for Apple to update the iPhone SE? It's looking that way. Making his predictions about the new LCD iPhone, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, has pointed to a possible September release date alongside the successor to the iPhone X.

Will the iPhone SE be discontinued?

First the bad news. Several analysts have suggested that there won't be a new iPhone SE at all.

In January 2018 Ming-Chi Kuo wrote a research note arguing that Apple had "used up its development resources" and would not be able to produce a new SE for the spring launch window.

"The announcement of three new iPhone models in the same quarter in the second half of 2017 was the first time Apple made such a major endeavour," he wrote.

"We believe the delay of iPhone X, which had the most complicated design yet, shows that Apple doesn't have enough resources available for development. With three new models in the pipeline for the second half of 2018, we believe Apple may have used up its development resources."

And back in July 2017 China's Huaquang Research analyst Pan Juitang predicted that Apple wouldn't update its 4in phone, arguing that there isn't enough demand for smaller devices as many consumers opt for larger displays for watching movies, playing games and browsing the web. The vast majority are accustomed to 5in or bigger displays, he added.

iPhone SE 2 availability

Even if the SE is updated, it may not launch where you live. Some reports suggest that the new SE handset might not be available everywhere.

According to the Economic Daily, a Chinese-language site, Apple is working on a low-end iPhone codenamed Hangzhou. This low-end, lower-priced model will apparently be launched in an attempt to "seize the low-end market" in China and India.

Another report claims that the SE 2 will launch in India prior to launching in other territories. This sounds dubious to us, although it might fit with Apple's plans to offer a cheaper handset to certain territories (normally Apple does this by offering an older version of the iPhone to certain countries).