IT'S I-TIME

When does the new iPhone come out? Cheap new ‘£399’ mobile could launch TODAY

APPLE is expected to launch a cheap new iPhone later today, insiders say.

The so-called iPhone 9 was originally tipped to debut on March 31, but the coronavirus crisis is believed to have caused delays.

Now the handset – which could cost as little as $399 / £399 – may be nearly ready to launch.

Respected industry analyst Jon Prosser that Apple execs have finally decided on an April release.

The handset is likely to be announced on April 15, followed by a retail release on April 22.

He added that the dates were still "tentative".

"Keep in mind: we're in the middle of a pandemic, and things could change," Prosser added.

Experts and reputable industry leakers have been promising a cheap new iPhone in March for months.

The handset is expected to be smaller than recent models, borrowing the classic 4.7-inch iPhone 8 design.

The price of your iPhone has steadily been rising, with top models now costing close to £1,500.

Rumours of a cheap Apple handset designed to woo cash-strapped customers have been circulating for months.

recently reported that production on the handset is about to go ahead.

The handset is expected to ditch the iPhone 11's all-screen design for an iPhone 8-style look.

This includes a Touch ID fingerprint scanner and a dinky 4.7-inch screen.

That's significantly smaller than the 5.8-inch to 6.5-inch panels on 2019's round of iPhones.

However, the mysterious gadget – rumoured as the 'iPhone 9' – looks unlikely to feature Face ID facial recognition tech.

It'll also be the first "cheap" Apple mobile since the iPhone SE in 2016.

The iPhone SE was a hugely popular model that cost just £359, and had a tiny 4-inch display.

But the new 'iPhone 9' is more likely to have a curvy design, rather than borrowing the iPhone SE's blocky look.

Excitingly, it's also mooted to run on the same powerful A13 chip featured in the new iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro.

Late last year, renowned industry watcher Ming-Chi Kuo also foretold of a cheap iPhone in 2020.

The respected analyst has predicted almost every major Apple launch to date, and expects Apple to sell 20-30million of the new handsets this year.

Importantly, Kuo predicted that the phone would cost $399.

In the UK, this would likely translate to around £399-£429, based on Apple's current pricing structures.

But Apple hasn't confirmed that any such gadget exists, so take this latest prediction with due caution.

Apple event 2019 recap– Highlights included iPhone 11, Apple Watch series 5 and Apple Arcade

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