New Renders Visualize Apple’s Rumored iPhone SE 2

A newly released set of 3D renders imagine what Apple’s iPhone SE 2 could look like.

The renders were mocked up by iDesigner (the creator of the iOS 10 Jailbreak Noctis tweak that allows for a systemwide dark mode) and posted to Twitter in the last few days. They show off Apple’s potential second generation of iPhone SE — a device that’s rumored to be released in India in the first quarter of next year.

It’s worth noting that the renders seem to be based on available information for Apple’s recently rumored iPhone SE 2, rather than any sort of potential iPhone “XSE” device. Of course, since we haven’t heard anything about an iPhone XSE out of the supply chain, these rumors probably better represent Apple’s next 4-inch iPhone.

iPhone SE 2 Rumors

According to a report by Focus Taiwan, Apple has apparently tapped Wistron to begin development of a new generation of iPhone SE at the company’s Bengaluru, India-based plant, where it currently produces local versions of the iPhone SE.

Based on current information from local tech media in India, the iPhone SE 2 seems to be an incremental upgrade to the current generation of 4-inch iPhone. The device is expected to sport the same set of internals as the iPhone 7 generation with a slightly revamped design.

According to Indian blog Tekz24, the iPhone SE 2 will boast an A10 Fusion system-on-a-chip, 2 gigabytes of RAM, 32GB or 128 GB of internal SSD storage, a 12 MP rear-facing camera and a 5MP front-facing camera, and a larger 1,700 mAh battery.

As far as its physical design, the outlet notes that it’s rumored to feature “slightly thinner side-bezels.” While that will bring the iPhone SE 2 closer in aesthetics to the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, it’s a far cry from the bezel-free iPhone X design that could be applied to all of Apple’s 2018 flagships.

Will the iPhone SE 2 Launch in the U.S.?

The iPhone SE 2 is expected to ship in the first quarter of 2018. That’s relatively soon, but there could be a reason behind the lack of general news of an iPhone SE refresh in the U.S. According to a few of Focus Taiwan’s sources, the iPhone SE 2 could be an Indian exclusive during its initial launch, before expanding to other markets. That would be an unprecedented move for Cupertino, but it might not be that far-fetched.

India is an incredibly important region for Apple, as it recently surpassed the U.S. as the second largest smartphone market in the world. But it’s also largely untapped by Apple, which controls only about three percent of the total smartphone market share. That’s largely because of the high price of most Apple products, partly because of recent initiatives that have driven up the cost of imported phones, and partly because of the Indian government’s unwillingness to give Apple special tax breaks or other financial incentives.

The iPhone 2 SE could represent part of Apple’s strategy to expand in India. The iPhone SE is one part of that strategy, and launching a locally assembled, India-exclusive device might just be the next logical step.

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