Mass production of iPhone SE 4 will be canceled or postponed until 2024: Ming-Chi Kuo

Apple reportedly intends to equip the iPhone SE 4 with a 6.1-inch LCD screen. Recent rumors have suggested that the Cupertino company may be aiming for a 2023 or 2024 release for this handset. However, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo now claims that Apple could choose to cancel the iPhone SE 4 or push its mass production until 2024. The company could consider taking this step due to the drop in demand for mid-range and low-end iPhone models like the iPhone SE (2022) and iPhone 14 Plus.

Kuo claims in a series of tweets that Apple is likely “to cancel or postpone the iPhone SE 4 2024 mass production plan.” Demand for mid to low-end iPhone models like the iPhone SE (2022, iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 13 mini) was reportedly weaker than expected.

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My latest survey indicates that Apple will likely cancel or postpone the 2024 iPhone SE 4 mass production plan. I believe this is due to consistently lower than expected shipments of midrange iPhones (e.g. SE 3 , 13 mini and 14 Plus),

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) December 21, 2022

There have been reports claiming that the iPhone SE 4 may resemble the design of the iPhone XR and feature a 6.1-inch LCD screen. There could also be a notch and thin bezels, instead of the thick iPhone 8-like bezel design of previous iPhone SE handsets. The analyst suggests that this increase in screen size could increase its cost. As a result, Apple may be forced to reconsider the positioning of this handset in its lineup.

According to recent reports, Apple has faced supply constraints for iPhone 14 Pro models due to strict COVID-19 lockdown measures implemented at the company’s largest manufacturing facility in Zhengzhou. , in China. However, demand for the Pro models is said to have skyrocketed, while the iPhone 14 Plus received a lukewarm reception.

Kuo says that this reduced demand for cheaper iPhone models may not be the only reason to cancel or postpone the iPhone SE 4. Apple could also try to suspend the development of unnecessary new products to manage the challenges posed by the global economic recession in 2023.