Fans of small iOS phones are unlikely to have a new handset to buy next year, according to KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The chance of Apple releasing a new 4-inch iPhone SE in 2017 is low, says Kuo. A decline in iPhone sales overall and the already limited market for the SE contributed to Apple's decision not to release a new SE.

Apple came out with the iPhone SE earlier this year. Its design is essentially the same as the iPhone 5's, but it features upgraded specs that put it more in-line with the iPhone 6S.

It appears more likely the 4-inch model will be less frequently updated to continue serving its comparatively niche market.