If you still doubt it: yes, Apple is preparing a successor to the iPhone 8 (or the iPhone SE according to rumors). But what we did not know is that the manufacturer also plans to replace the iPhone 8 Plus.

This is what we learn from the source code of iOS 14, from which 9to5mac was able to obtain a few lines clearly referring to an “iPhone 9 Plus”.

The iPhone 9 Plus in question would have a 5.5-inch screen, a Home button of the “Taptic Engine” type (as on the iPhone 7 and 8), and would, therefore, prefer Touch ID to Face ID. The novelty? The presence of an A13 SoC – the same on the one built into the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro.

A lot of analysts expected a presentation in mid-March for these new smartphones, but the evolution of the coronavirus pandemic has probably forced Apple to review its plans.

IPHONE 9 LAUNCH HAS BEEN DELAYED INDEFINITELY

According to a source inside Apple who has spoken to the Cult of Mac, the company has postponed the launch of the iPhone 9 indefinitely. This news will be heart-breaking for all Apple fans who have been waiting a long time for a sequel for the iPhone SE. The iPhone 9 will be a throwback on Apple’s old designs and even includes a Touch ID home button. Reports indicated that the launch would happen in March, however, Apple had to delay it until WWDC 2020 event. However, the developer’s conference is likely to be canceled as Santa Clara county banned gatherings of over 1,000 people until the end of the month.

However, the loss of the venue isn’t the only reason for the delay. Apple’s supply line has been suffering a lot across China since several factories were closing during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Apparently, Apple has prepared a tentative timeline of when mass production may begin. However, the situation with COVID-19 is changing day by day. For that reason, the Cupertino company doesn’t want to officially commit to a release date and sees no point in announcing a new product that probably won’t be ready for shipments.