Apple’s new budget iPhone is one of the most exciting smartphones of 2020
EverythingApplePro
Forbes
In a fascinating exclusive still-vociferous YouTuber Jon Prosser has today revealed that we shouldn’t expect Apple to release an iPhone SE2 or an iPhone 9 at all. Instead, he reports that Apple is going to give us the most logical name of all: “According to this source, the name isn’t iPhone 9, it’s not iPhone SE2, it’s just iPhone,” says Prosser. “Similar to how the base model iPad is just called iPad.”
02/21 Update: a new Bloomberg report reveals Apple may not only be shaking up its approach to iPhone branding, the company is also considering making fundamental changes to how iOS works. Starting with iOS 14, Apple is understood to be willing to allow users to replace the default apps with third party alternatives. This would means apps like Gmail or Outlook could become the default email service over Apple Mail, Google Maps could replace Apple Maps, Chrome could replace Safari, etc. This could be a deal maker for many users as the platform’s infuriating insistence to open every email, every address, every URL and more in Apple’s own apps makes life frustrating for anyone not fully aboard with every Apple service. Platform lock-in is thought to be Apple’s primary motivation for avoiding this for so long, but Apple’s position now looks so dominate that is prepared to throw users a bone in order to attract more customers and avoid anti-competitive criticism. And you know what, it might just work.
If correct (and Prosser does warn that this is a new source), I think this would an extremely smart move on Apple’s part. After all, iPhone SE2 sounds almost as bad as iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone 9 sounds underwhelming given the iPhone X launched already in 2017. In addition to what Prosser notes about the iPad naming scheme, the same is true of AirPods and iMac as well.
That said, this isn’t a slam dunk because as recently as 2019 Apple discontinued the perfectly named Macbook, leaving users with the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, the entry-level Apple TV is called Apple TV HD and the less said about Apple’s naming schemes for the Apple Watch, the better. Could naming the iPhone 9 just ‘iPhone’ signal a desire to right these wrongs? It would certainly be a pleasant surprise.
In addition to this, Prosser’s source (who claims to work at Apple) states that the new iPhone (see how that rolls off the tongue) will be priced at $399 for 64GB and $450 for 128GB. This makes both price points intriguing options, with the former a perfectly usable amount of storage at a great price and the latter a tempting upgrade for anyone who simply can’t afford a more expensive model.
iPhone 12 concept render
EverythingApplePro
Forbes
Building on the recent Nikkei warnings about iPhone supply, Prosser’s insider also states that the ongoing spread of the Coronavirus has Apple in two minds about holding a formal launch event on 30/31 March for the new iPhone. Given it launched the iPhone SE without a formal event on 31 March 2016, that’s perfectly plausible but the fact next-gen iPad Pros are set to be unveiled alongside it suggests to me that Apple will hold its nerve.
Moreover, despite its aged design, the new iPhone/iPhone 9/iPhone SE2 is a phone which deserves its time in the limelight. Given its lower screen resolution, its A13 chipset means it is likely to be the fastest smartphone in the world. The rear camera is understood to be based on the superb premium camera in the iPhone 11 and the Pixel 3a can compete in this price bracket but gets blown away in terms of raw horsepower.
No, this new iPhone won’t have the head-turning features of the 2020 iPhone 12 like its 120Hz OLED ProMotion display, long-range 3D camera, and MacBook Pro-rivalling Apple A14 chip but it will deliver Touch ID and that is a dark horse to return in the iPhone 12. So yes, the new ‘iPhone’ is worth getting excited about – whatever its name.
___
Follow Gordon on Facebook
More On Forbes
Apple iPhone 12: Everything We Know So Far
Apple iPhone SE2: Everything We Know So Far
Apple Issues Coronavirus Update As Insider Paints Dark Picture For iPhone Supplies
Apple AirPods Pro Vs AirPods: What’s The Difference?
“>
We think we know a lot about Apple’s all-new budget iPhone, including its familiar design, exciting specifications and, of course, that highly appealing price tag. But what if we were all wrong about its most fundamental aspect?
Apple’s new budget iPhone is one of the most exciting smartphones of 2020
Forbes Gordon Kelly
In a fascinating exclusive still-vociferous YouTuber Jon Prosser has today revealed that we shouldn’t expect Apple to release an iPhone SE2 or an iPhone 9 at all. Instead, he reports that Apple is going to give us the most logical name of all: “According to this source, the name isn’t iPhone 9, it’s not iPhone SE2, it’s just iPhone,” says Prosser. “Similar to how the base model iPad is just called iPad.”
02/21 Update: a new Bloomberg report reveals Apple may not only be shaking up its approach to iPhone branding, the company is also considering making fundamental changes to how iOS works. Starting with iOS 14, Apple is understood to be willing to allow users to replace the default apps with third party alternatives. This would means apps like Gmail or Outlook could become the default email service over Apple Mail, Google Maps could replace Apple Maps, Chrome could replace Safari, etc. This could be a deal maker for many users as the platform’s infuriating insistence to open every email, every address, every URL and more in Apple’s own apps makes life frustrating for anyone not fully aboard with every Apple service. Platform lock-in is thought to be Apple’s primary motivation for avoiding this for so long, but Apple’s position now looks so dominate that is prepared to throw users a bone in order to attract more customers and avoid anti-competitive criticism. And you know what, it might just work.
If correct (and Prosser does warn that this is a new source), I think this would an extremely smart move on Apple’s part. After all, iPhone SE2 sounds almost as bad as iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone 9 sounds underwhelming given the iPhone X launched already in 2017. In addition to what Prosser notes about the iPad naming scheme, the same is true of AirPods and iMac as well.
That said, this isn’t a slam dunk because as recently as 2019 Apple discontinued the perfectly named Macbook, leaving users with the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, the entry-level Apple TV is called Apple TV HD and the less said about Apple’s naming schemes for the Apple Watch, the better. Could naming the iPhone 9 just ‘iPhone’ signal a desire to right these wrongs? It would certainly be a pleasant surprise.
In addition to this, Prosser’s source (who claims to work at Apple) states that the new iPhone (see how that rolls off the tongue) will be priced at $399 for 64GB and $450 for 128GB. This makes both price points intriguing options, with the former a perfectly usable amount of storage at a great price and the latter a tempting upgrade for anyone who simply can’t afford a more expensive model.
iPhone 12 concept render
Forbes Gordon Kelly
Building on the recent Nikkei warnings about iPhone supply, Prosser’s insider also states that the ongoing spread of the Coronavirus has Apple in two minds about holding a formal launch event on 30/31 March for the new iPhone. Given it launched the iPhone SE without a formal event on 31 March 2016, that’s perfectly plausible but the fact next-gen iPad Pros are set to be unveiled alongside it suggests to me that Apple will hold its nerve.
Moreover, despite its aged design, the new iPhone/iPhone 9/iPhone SE2 is a phone which deserves its time in the limelight. Given its lower screen resolution, its A13 chipset means it is likely to be the fastest smartphone in the world. The rear camera is understood to be based on the superb premium camera in the iPhone 11 and the Pixel 3a can compete in this price bracket but gets blown away in terms of raw horsepower.
No, this new iPhone won’t have the head-turning features of the 2020 iPhone 12 like its 120Hz OLED ProMotion display, long-range 3D camera, and MacBook Pro-rivalling Apple A14 chip but it will deliver Touch ID and that is a dark horse to return in the iPhone 12. So yes, the new ‘iPhone’ is worth getting excited about – whatever its name.
___
Follow Gordon on Facebook
More On Forbes
Apple iPhone 12: Everything We Know So Far
Apple iPhone SE2: Everything We Know So Far
Apple Issues Coronavirus Update As Insider Paints Dark Picture For iPhone Supplies