Apple iPhone SE 2 Rumored For Early 2018 Debut With A10 Fusion SoC

Chatter is starting to ramp up surrounding an update to Apple's iPhone SE entry-level smartphone. Apple first introduced the iPhone SE in early 2016, and it was little more than an iPhone 5s smartphone that was modernized with an iPhone 6s-class A9 processor, Apple Pay support and improved cameras.

For people that were disappointed with Apple’s move to larger 4.7- and 5.5-inch form-factors (at the time), the 4-inch iPhone SE represented a modern, lithe smartphone for those people that didn't want to pay flagship prices. Earlier this year, Apple shuffled the storage SKUs a bit, but the smartphone remains largely the same as when it was introduced over a year.

iPhone SE Front Back

That will all change early next year according to a new report from the Economic Daily News. Tentatively called the iPhone SE 2, the device will allegedly be manufactured exclusively by Wistron in Bangalore, India. The current generation iPhone SE has been particularly popular in emerging markets like India, where consumers like Apple's premium branding, but likely don't have the money to drop $800 to $1,000 on a flagship iPhone.

A separate report previously suggested that the iPhone SE 2 will include last year's A10 Fusion SoC (which was used on the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus), 2GB of RAM and a larger 1,700 mAh battery (compared to 1,624 mAh for the current model). The iPhone SE 2 will also allegedly be available in 32GB and 128GB capacities, mirroring the storage options on the iPhone SE.

Unfortunately, there is no indication on if the iPhone SE will receive a refreshed or all-new exterior design to go along with its upgraded internals. After all, the iPhone SE's design dates all the way back to 2013.