Apple Targets Mid-April Launch for Budget-Friendly iPhone 9
Apple plans to announce the budget-minded iPhone 9 on April 15 and ship the device on April 22. This affordable $399 smartphone serves as a crucial strategy for the tech giant to maintain a 2020 handset release amid pandemic delays.
Industry insiders report that Apple prepares to launch its budget-minded iPhone 9 by mid-April, with a targeted announcement date of April 15 and retail shipments beginning on April 22. Well-regarded Apple analyst Jon Prosser shares these specific timelines based on an internal company meeting, though he cautions that the ongoing global pandemic could still alter these plans.
The iPhone 9, previously known among leak enthusiasts as the "iPhone SE 2," carries a highly accessible price tag of $399 USD. This aggressive pricing represents a significant shift from Apple's typical premium launch costs and forms a strategic push to capture market share in developing nations like India, China, Brazil, and Russia.
Releasing this affordable device provides Apple with a crucial opportunity to debut at least one new smartphone in 2020. The company's flagship iPhone 12 faces likely delays until 2021 due to the same coronavirus disruptions that initially threatened the iPhone 9's spring timeline.