While speculation continues that coronavirus may delay Apple's first 5G iPhone from its usual fall release date, multiple media reports now say that Apple is preparing to announce another iPhone, possible as soon as Friday.

While rumors have been rampant for weeks that Apple was preparing to bring out a lower-cost, entry-level iPhone this spring, one possibly called the iPhone 9, a report Thursday night included some more solid details, while also stating that Apple could open orders as early as today.

The new phone, 9to5Mac reported, will be called the iPhone SE, and will run on the Apple A13 processor from last fall's iPhone lineup. Color choices will include white, black and red, with storage sizes of 64MB, 128MB and 256MB.

Pricing, however, remains unknown.

In a long tradition of accessory makers jumping the gun on confirming iPhone features before they're announced, The Verge had noticed earlier this week that Apple's website had listed a Belkin screen protector, for "iPhone SE," as well as for iPhone 8 and 7. The listing was later removed.

If the "iPhone SE" name sounds familiar, it's because Apple released a phone of that name in 2016, months after the arrival of the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus, but still considered part of the same generation. The first iPhone SE was released in March of that year, with a larger-capacity re-release that followed a year later. But after that, Apple seemingly retired the iPhone SE name, at least until now.

The "SE," for the 2016 version, stood for "Special Edition."

Whenever it arrives, the new iPhone SE will not be sold at Apple Stores, at least at first. Due to coronavirus, the stores are closed everywhere, and will remain so until at least early May, <em>Bloomberg News</em> reported this week.

In recent weeks, there have been various conflicting reports about whether or not combinations of supply chain difficulties and the lack of demand caused by the related economic crash, will lead to a delay in the arrival of this fall's iPhone lineup. That lineup is expected to include the first iPhone with 5G capability.

Analysts clued into the Chinese supply chain have differing interpretations, with some arguing that Apple could delay the lineup to Christmas or even into 2021, while others say the company will likely deliver the models in time for the usual fall release.

Stephen Silver, a technology writer for The National Interest, is a journalist, essayist and film critic, who is also a contributor to Philly Voice, Philadelphia Weekly, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Living Life Fearless, Backstage magazine, Broad Street Review and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons.