Apple is said to discontinue its low-cost iPhone SE handset next year in favor of a new entry-level iPhone, Wall Street analysts are speculating.
In a research note this week, market analysts expect that Apple’s upcoming 11th-generation series of smartphones will come in three screen sizes. The flagship iPhone 8 handset will feature an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display measuring 5.1 or 5.2 inches. Apple also is expected to sell two LCD-screen models that are the same sizes as the current iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, which have displays measuring 4.7 and 5.5 inches, respectively. Those new LCD handsets could be called the iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S Plus.
The 4.7-inch iPhone 7S could become a new midrange or even low-end model for Apple.
Apple’s current low-end smartphone is its iPhone SE, which starts at $399. The next cheapest iPhone is the iPhone 6S, which starts at $549. (During the holiday sale $414) Apple introduced the iPhone SE in March 2016 and is expected to skip its traditional annual hardware upgrade for the product.
The iPhone SE is Apple’s bid to attract more price-sensitive consumers, especially in emerging markets like China. Still, it is quite expensive at a price around $400.
The iPhone 8 is expected to be a major redesign, featuring a bezel-free, edge-to-edge OLED display. OLED screens reduce power consumption and extend battery life. They also have faster refresh rates, better contrast, sharper color and a wider viewing angle. Plus, they can be used in curved and wraparound displays.
The iPhone 8 also might feature wireless charging or superfast charging, analysts say. It also will get a speedier processor and improved camera. The iPhone 8 is due out in fall 2017.
Apple and third-party retailers were offering Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on iPhones, iPads and other Apple products. Target was selling the Apple Watch Series 1 smartwatch for $198 on Black Friday, a $71 discount off its regular price of $269. Meanwhile, Apple was giving customers a $25 Apple gift card if they bought a full-price Apple Watch.
Apple wasn’t discounting its iPhone 7 series phones for Black Friday. But Target was giving customers a $250 Target gift card if they bought and activated an iPhone 7 handset. And Best Buy was offering gift cards of $100 to $250 depending on the model of iPhone 7 purchased.
