Apple said to begin mass production of next-gen iPhone SE in February

Apple is planning to start mass production of its next generation iPhone SE model (also known as iPhone 9) next month. 

Sources familiar with the plan told Bloomberg that Apple suppliers Hon Hai Precision Industry, Pegatron and Wistron Corp will begin assembling the new, low-cost iPhone in February. Apple is expected to announce the phone as early as March. 

Bloomberg reiterated that the new iPhone SE model will look similar to the iPhone 8 with a 4.7-inch LCD display, Touch ID and A13 chipset. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo estimates the price of the phone to be US$399, which should help Apple reach out to more customers in price-sensitive and emerging markets such as India. 

Source: Bloomberg