The top-of-the-line iPhone 12 as well as the rumored iPhone SE Plus could suffer significant delays, making the new iPhone SE 2020 even more attractive. However, despite the difficulties posed by the coronavirus outbreak, production is still moving forward.

These predictions come from an investor note written by Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF International Securities with a strong track record for communicating what Apple will be working on soon (via 9to5Mac). His sources come from Apple's component supply chain in Asia, which helps paint a picture regarding all of Apple's product ranges, including the iPhone.

The full iPhone 12 lineup is expected to be announced, probably in September. However, the largest 6.7-inch model, believed to be the iPhone 12 Pro Max, will arrive later than the other three models we expect.

The 5.4-inch and two 6.1-inch iPhone 12 models will hit the production line in September, while the 6.7-inch version will instead go into production in October. This could be a similar situation to that seen with the iPhone X and iPhone XR, where Apple released certain models after the normal September launch window.

The iPhone 12 models appear to have been tested by local staff at a manufacturing plant in China rather than by Apple's US engineers due to travel restrictions implemented to slow the spread of the coronavirus. As a result, the manufacturing process is a month later than it should be.

Another unfortunate delay is due to the mmWave antenna, which is critical to making the iPhone 12 series 5G-ready. It is believed that all series will carry the more future-proof mmWave version of 5G and the currently used but less advanced sub-6Ghz signal. If Apple is going to include both versions in all new models, the delays could be more severe.

Assuming the remaining rumors about the iPhone 12 are still valid, we still have a lot to be excited about when Apple makes its announcement this fall.

All products will have OLED displays and smaller front camera notches. The Pro models are also expected to have a 120 Hz refresh rate, run on a new CPU that is believed to be named A14 Bionic, and have improved cameras including a new LiDAR depth sensor camera like the one on the iPad Pro 2020.

Fortunately, if you don't want to wait for Apple's top-of-the-line model, the new iPhone SE 2020 is quite a bargain: the same A13 Bionic CPU found in the iPhone 11, a solid camera, and a durable, lightweight design, all for $400. all for $400.

But if you want a bigger version of the iPhone SE, there's bad news.

Apple just announced the second-generation iPhone SE, and according to Kuo, it sold far better than expected. However, a larger 5.5-inch version will be released to complement the existing 4.7-inch version and will likely be named the iPhone SE Plus.

Unfortunately, its launch has been delayed until late 2021. Kuo had previously stated that the phone would appear in the first half of 2021, but has now changed his prediction, claiming that Apple has changed its product timeline.

A tweet by Jon Prosser helps to further put things in perspective: the SE Plus will continue to use the A13 CPU found in this year's SE, but at that point the chip is outpaced by the A14 expected to be in the iPhone 12.

Mass production of the SE Plus has not yet begun, which is to be expected for a phone more than a year away; Prosser also said that the standard SE will not get an overhaul next year.