Apple may postpone the large-size version of the new low-cost iPhone SE until the second half of 2021, Tianfeng International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a report released late last night.
In a previous note, he stated that Apple is working on a "iPhone SE Plus" which is scheduled to be released in the first half of 2021. But now he thinks Apple "is likely to postpone the release of this new model until later in 2021."
The iPhone SE Plus is expected to use a 5.5 or 6.1-inch display with a full-screen design, similar to the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro. However, it will not use Face ID, but will integrate Touch ID on the power button on the right side of the device.
Without Face ID, the iPhone SE Plus will usher in a smaller notch, because the front of the device will only need to accommodate a standard front camera, microphone and speakers.
Apple just released the iPhone SE this month, a $399 iPhone with a design similar to the iPhone 8 but with an upgraded A13 processor.
It combines the design of Touch ID and old iPhones with the performance of newer iPhones. It is an attractive upgrade option for users of old iPhones such as iPhone 6 or iPhone 7.
Kuo did not provide pricing details for the iPhone SE Plus, but if it is in the SE series, despite the full-screen design and repositioning of the Touch ID button, its price will still be much lower than Apple ’s flagship device.