While a lot has been spoken and written about the three new phones that Apple has unveiled in is September 12 event, a significant development emerging out of the event has been the silent burial of some of Apple’s celebrated models, including the iPhone X, which was the flagship launched last year.
A Deccan Chronical report points out that when Apple showed its entire lineup of iPhones for the year 2018-19, the range began with iPhone 7, followed by 8, 8 Plus and the newly launched flagships. Older iPhones such as the 6S, iPhone SE and even its last flagship iPhone X were missing from the lineup, thus indicating that these have been killed off with the launch of the XS and XR models.
One may argue that it was a one-off model to coincide with the 10th anniversary of iPhones and dropping it may not be a big deal.
While the company has not come forward with any particular explanation for withdrawing the models, some observers point out that Apple failed in its attempts to lower the cost of production of the iPhone X. The so-called replacement for the iPhone X, the iPhone XR is fitted with an LCD panel and a single camera setup in the rear.
But more surprising has been the possible drop of the iPhone SE, one of the most popular iPhone models with a compact 4-inch display. The phone has recorded large volume of sales. It was considered very convenient for a single hand operation and its compact design was preferred by female users as well. The iPhone carried a reasonable price tag too.
From the Indian perspective, the iPhone SE has been one of the models being manufactured here by Apple and one will have to wait to know what plans the company has. It is also pointed out if these models are out of the window, then it is safe to say the 3.5mm headphone jack has also died with them, at least as far as the iPhones are concerned.