Apple iPhone SE Updates: Tech Giant Intends to Prolong the Life of iPhone SE; No New Updates During First Quarter of 2017

Updates for the Apple iPhone SE have been in question the past few months but it seems there will be no new updates during the first quarter of 2017. Instead, the tech giant Apple intends to prolong the life of their flagship iPhone SE to focus more on the recently released iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.

Read on to find out why.

AppleInsider obtained a note from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicating the reason behind Apple keeping the iPhone SE as is beyond the usual one year rotation is to boost gross margins and minimize cannibalization of high-end flagships like the iPhone 7.

Moreover, Kuo did not mention plans of an upgrade for the iPhone SE beyond the second quarter of 2017. This could mean that a refresh might land later in the year or the following year.

According to a source, when the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus were officially revealed at a press event in Cupertino, California, last September 9, 2014, and released on September 19, 2014, the iPhone SE followed suit. And on March 21, 2016, the iPhone SE (iPhone Special Edition) was unveiled and was released on March 31, 2016.

The iPhone SE was marked a long overdue admission for a good number of iPhone users. This is because users of iPhone prefer a smaller 4-inch phone. For many, Apple's 4.7-inch iPhone 6s and 5.5-inch iPhone 6s Plus models are simply too cumbersome for daily use.

However, the tech giant Apple didn't do anything to hinder the iPhone SE or deter users from buying it. What made the iPhone SE standout from its predecessors is that it looked much like the iPhone 5s but lacked of 3D Touch. Aside from that, the iPhone SE at launch has practically the same internals as the then-current iPhone 6s.

In fact, Apple CEO Tim Cook even noted that the demand for Apple iPhone SE was much higher compared to what Apple had anticipated. Hence, one can much say that the iPhone SE has been something of a sleeper hit for Apple.

Now, iPhone SE fans have been wondering if there will be a new release since other iPhone counterparts receive their annual updates. Unfortunately, Apple is looking to keep the iPhone SE as is to focus on the recently released iPhone 7 and 7 Plus instead, BGR reported.

Regarded as the most accurate Apple analyst, Kou also predicted Apple will slash price points of its newly unveiled MacBook Pro models in 2018.