The latest roadmap for Apple’s product lineup highlights a new, budget friendly iPhone SE that could be cheaper than any other device the company is weighing. The plan suggests a pause or cancellation of mass production before the headwinds of a potential 2023 recession take hold.
Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has indicated that Apple is weighing the option to cancel or delay the mass production of the iPhone SE 4, which was expected to debut in 2024 according to recent market research.
The stir behind this decision stems from weaker than anticipated distribution of the iPhone subranges and rising costs tied to the all screen design anticipated for the SE model. These factors could compress margins and complicate Apple’s market strategy for the SE lineup.
In a thread on social media, the analyst noted that Apple may need to reassess how the SE 4 is positioned and how the return on investment lines up with the company’s broader product strategy. The potential cancellation arrives amid broader concerns about a global slowdown and forecasted economic headwinds in the near term.
Ultimately, Apple faces a careful balancing act between affordability, feature set, and profitability. The decision on the SE 4 will hinge on how demand materializes across regions, the impact of component costs, and Apple’s ability to maintain competitive pricing while funding ongoing innovation across its device ecosystem.