Months before the expected iPhone 8 release date on September or October 2017, a 32GB iPhone 6 appeared in Asia and is being touted as Apple's budget-friendly device. The move generates the question: Is the iPhone SE on its way out?

It appears to be the case in India and Taiwan, 9to5Mac reported. In the latter, the 32GB iPhone 6, which Apple first introduced in 2014, is now part of the Taiwan Mobile handset menu and is being dangled to consumers for free.

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The same iPhone 6 model is ready for the taking for only $45 per month (the rough equivalent of Taiwan's local currency) with 30 months of lock-in period. Of note is that the 32GB storage option is not widely available in other markets where Apple sells its flagship iPhone.

It could be that with the introduction of the 32GB iPhone 6, the tech giant is tweaking its market strategy to make its flagship offerings more accessible to as many consumers as possible. But the latest move brings to question: What's the plan for the 4-inch iPhone SE?

In a recent note, reputed Apple watcher Ming-chi Kuo said the SE is not up for an upgrade this year, indicating that while the smallest of the iPhones will continue selling there will be no new models to expect.

However, rumors emerged that Apple will stage an event this March and among the revelations will be a 128GB iPhone SE that likely will take the price of the 64GB model. If true, it's possible that the iPhone 6 and SE will serve as the company's budget offering on the line with specific market destinations.

The compact SE is reportedly more appealing to users in North America while the bigger iPhone 6 is supposedly more preferred in Asia where large-screen handsets continue to gain immense popularity. And with storage options of both devices available at relatively affordable price levels, the selling strategy is extending Apple's market reach.