Rumors from the last quarter of 2017 have claimed that Apple could be working on a second-generation model for the iPhone SE that was launched in March 2016. According to TrendForce market search company from Taiwan, the Cupertino company will be releasing iPhone SE (2018) in this year to target mid-range market. The research firm has also spilled some information on other iPhones that will be released this year.
It is speculated that the rumored iPhone SE 2 may debut in the first half of this year. Previous leaks have revealed that the Apple supplier Wistron is assembling the compact-sized iPhone at its factory in Bangalore, India. The iPhone SE 2 is likely to borrow tech specs from the iPhone 7.
TrendForce has also stated that apart from the second-generation iPhone SE, there will be two new flagship iPhones from the company that will be equipped with AMOLED display. Previous reports that Apple may release a new 5.8-inch OLED iPhone X as a second-generation model for the original iPhone X alongside a larger 6.5-inch OLED iPhone X Plus. The rumor mill has also suggested that there will be entry-level iPhone that will feature a LCD screen of 6.1 inches.
In related news, a South Korean publication has revealed that LG Display is expected to supply OLED panels for the 2018 iPhones. Latest information reveals that LG Display will be producing 15-16 million OLED panels, but Samsung Display is expected to function as the major supplier of OLED panels for the 2018 iPhones. The report has also stated that Samsung Display will be providing Apple with 5.8-inch or 6-inch OLED panels whereas LG Display will be producing 6.5-inch OLED panels.
TrendForce has stated Apple will improving the performance of Face ID on the 2018 iPhones while other smartphone manufacturers will be sticking capacitive fingerprint scanners. It also claims that apart from enhanced Face ID, the 2018 iPhones will arrive with more RAM and higher screen-to-body ratio. The iPhone SE 2 may not feature Face ID, but may come equipped with Touch ID fingerprint scanner.
The market research firm has forecasted that the production volume of iPhones will encounter a growth of 7.5 percent. Even though Samsung will be ruling the worldwide smartphone market, it may come across a 3 percent decline in production volume due to tough competition not only from Apple but also Chinese smartphone vendors.