The new iPhone SE is seen on display during an event at the Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California March 21, 2016.

The new iPhone SE is seen on display during an event at the Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California March 21, 2016. Reuters/Stephen Lam

Apple is set to launch an all-new iPhone SE in August, according to a new report. Word has it that it’s going to be more affordable than the current model, and it’s launching before the highly anticipated iPhone 8 is unveiled.

The iPhone SE is reportedly going to get a refresh next month, ahead of the tenth anniversary Apple smartphone’s launch, which is supposedly taking place in October. French blog iGeneration first reported about the smaller Apple handset’s possible release. The blog’s unnamed source claims that the California-based tech titan is holding a launch event near the end of August to unveil the new iteration of the SE.

The report is, of course, somewhat questionable. Apple has never launched any new handsets in the month of August. The author of the report, Mickaël Bazoge, said that a “new source” told him about the alleged launch. Bazoge himself is sceptical about the info, but he believes that his source “seems reliable” despite the unproven track record, according to Mac Rumors.

Apple usually unveils its latest smartphones in June or September. The only exceptions so far are the iPhone 4s and the iPhone SE, which were launched in October 2011 and March of last year, respectively. Apple just recently upgraded the SE’s storage capacities, too, which makes the rumour even sketchier.

Furthermore, the alleged upcoming SE should have all of the iPhone 7’s essentials since the current model is basically a stripped down 6s. It’s unlikely that Apple boosts the new “special edition” handset’s specs with iPhone 7 muscle as it can potentially eat up the company’s revenue. A 4-inch Apple handset with contemporary flagship-like specs and a much cheaper price tag will indubitably be an instant hit.

The SE’s smaller frame appeals to Apple fans who want to enjoy the iPhone’s basics without the bulky build and hefty price tag. The smartphone industry is currently dominated by handsets that sport 5-inch displays or bigger. The most popular Android handsets right now – the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the S8 Plus – measure at 5.8 inches and 6.2 inches, respectively, which are considerable bumps from their predecessors’ (the 5.1-inch Galaxy S7and the 5.5-inch S7 Edge) sizes.

The mini iPhone received a storage upgrade in March. The previous 16 GB and 64 GB variants were replaced with 32 GB and 128 GB models, although the new units retained the original handsets’ prices. The SE, which is still Apple’s most affordable handset, starts at US$399 in North America, AU$679 in Australia and €499 in Europe. According to the French report, the new iPhone SE 2017 model may carry a €399 starting price in Europe.

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