Report Claims iPhone 8 Will Launch in October, but With a Twist
The return of an old favorite.
Apple could be gearing up to launch four new iPhones later this year, if a report published Wednesday is accurate. Alongside the iPhone 8, the premium smartphone is expected to bring a radical redesign to Apple’s product line, and the company may also announce an update to the 4-inch iPhone SE. If accurate, this could mean the company will launch four smartphones at the end of this year: the 8, the SE, and the previously-rumored iPhone 7S and 7S Plus.
The report from iGeneration (translated by 9to5Mac from French) claims the SE would go on sale for €399 ($462), which would represent an €80 ($93) discount from the current 32 GB model. Few have tried to claim that Apple would introduce a new version of the device, which first went on sale in March 2016.
A new version of the SE would likely follow a similar pattern to the previous phone. The device looks almost identical to the iPhone 5S, which first launched in September 2013, but it includes the same internal processor as the iPhone 6S. It also features the rear camera, Apple Pay, always-on Siri, and Live Photos found in the more expensive model. An updated version of the SE could offer similar features and performance as the iPhone 7 or rumored 7S model but in the smaller 4-inch package.
The current iPhone SE
The report claims the SE would debut the phone at an event next month in August, with the iPhone 8 launching later on at an October event. This comes along with previous rumors that Apple is struggling to finish the iPhone 8 because of its exotic features, like a 5.8-inch OLED display, dual rear cameras with 3D laser scanning capability, and a new wireless charging platform.
Previous rumors suggest the iPhone 7S and 7S Plus would look similar to the previous iterations, except for the inclusion of a few upgrades. A faster processor is likely, as is the same wireless charging feature found on the iPhone 8. Apple is expected to price the iPhone 8 around the $1,000 mark while also offering the 7S and 7S Plus as a cheaper alternative.
A new iPhone SE could satisfy consumers seeking to buy a new phone, but who can’t afford the higher price tag of the newer models. This could lead to improved sales for the year, as current rumors have left analysts scratching their heads at how Apple could hope to achieve the high sales figures suggested in some quarters. A low-end model launching in the same year as the iPhone 8 could provide a welcome boost.
