In 2020, after a four-year wait, Apple lastly up to date the iPhone SE to… the iPhone SE. Hanging on to the identical title is a bit complicated—Apple differentiates the brand new mannequin when needed by calling it the 2nd-generation iPhone SE, however most individuals both name it the iPhone SE (2020) or iPhone SE 2.

We at present anticipate the brand new iPhone SE (which can be known as the iPhone SE Plus, iPhone SE (2022), iPhone SE (Third-generation), or iPhone SE 3) to be launched within the first half of 2022, doubtless at Apple’s spring occasion. Right here’s a abstract of all the most recent rumors, leaks, and different data we’ve been capable of collect in regards to the subsequent revision of Apple’s most inexpensive iPhone.

2022 iPhone SE: The most recent rumors

February 27: The iPhone SE might begin at $299, in keeping with a report in Investor’s Enterprise Every day.

January 19: Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants claims that manufacturing will start in January with shipments doubtless starting in late April or early Could.

December 21: The Chinese language language publication MyDrivers (translation) experiences that the iPhone SE has entered “trial” manufacturing with a deliberate early 2022 launch date.

December 9: Ming-Chi Kuo (through Macrumors) reiterates experiences that the 2022 iPhone SE can have the identical show as the present mannequin and can doubtless be Apple’s final iPhone with a house button.

December 1: Trendforce experiences Apple is on observe to launch the third-generation iPhone SE in the primary quarter of 2022.

October 26: Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants says the following iPhone SE will probably be “known as the SE Plus with the identical 4.7″ LCD because the 8 together with 5G.”

June 23: In a notice to buyers seen by MacRumors, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple will place the Third-generation iPhone SE as the “least expensive 5G iPhone ever.”

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2022 iPhone SE: Design and show

At the moment, essentially the most dependable analysts anticipate the following iPhone SE to bodily resemble the present mannequin. That’s maybe a bit disappointing—the iPhone SE is predicated on the physique of the iPhone 8, which is now discontinued. Nevertheless, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple plans to maneuver forward with one other SE mannequin to function the 4.7-inch LCD show, a House button with Contact ID, and no Face ID. In October, Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants reported that the following iPhone SE can have the identical 4.7-inch show as the present mannequin, including that the rumored iPhone SE with a 6.1-inch LCD is now pushed to 2024.

In different phrases, the following iPhone SE is as soon as once more rumored to be primarily based on the iPhone 8’s shell, with choose new elements. Nikkei Asia reported in July that the following SE “will seem like a refreshed model of the iPhone 8 and have a 4.7-inch liquid crystal diode (LCD) show.”

Apple can be mentioned to be engaged on an up to date model of the iPhone 11, with an LCD show between 5.7 inches and 6.1 inches and Contact ID both within the show or a part of the facility button, however doubtless for a 2023 or 2024 launch. Apple nonetheless sells the iPhone 11 for $499 and a brand new SE with an analogous design would straight compete with it at a lower cost.

2022 iPhone SE: 5G

The massive promoting level of the following iPhone SE is alleged to be that it’s the most inexpensive 5G iPhone ever. The iPhone 12 mini is at present the least costly 5G iPhone at $699, so you’ll be able to anticipate the iPhone SE to value lower than that, although it might not retain the $399 worth of the present iPhone SE.

It’s unknown if the iPhone SE will help mmWave 5G along with sub-6GHz frequencies. (For extra on what this implies, see our 5G FAQ.) The iPhone 8’s physique was by no means designed for antenna modules needed for good mmWave reception, although it’s not clear to what diploma that will be an issue, or if Apple might simply modify it. In July, Nikkei Asia reported that the iPhone SE will use Qualcomm’s X60 modem, the identical that may reportedly be contained in the iPhone 13. Japanese Apple web site Macotakara echoed the 5G rumor in October. Younger additionally reported that the iPhone SE can have 5G.

2022 iPhone SE: Processor

Apple has traditionally outfitted the iPhone SE with the very newest Apple A-series processor, which is the one utilized in the latest high-end iPhone fashions. Meaning a Third-generation iPhone SE launching within the spring of 2022 would have the identical processor because the iPhone 13 launching later this yr, which we anticipate to be the A15, which was reported by Nikkei Asia and Macotakara. Nevertheless, a report in July from DigiTimes claimed that Apple can be utilizing the A14 Bionic chip within the A12 as an alternative. Both chip will make the SE quick, a fantastic worth, and eligible for iOS updates for a really very long time, as was the case with the prior iPhone SE fashions. Apple’s cost-cutting comes from the physique, show, cameras, and different such options (don’t anticipate MagSafe, for instance).

2022 iPhone SE: Digicam

When the iPhone SE 3 lands, it’s anticipated to hold the identical single 12MP wide-angle rear digital camera as the present mannequin, together with a lone front-facing digital camera. The present mannequin has a 7MP front-facing digital camera, which we wish to see upgraded to 12MP, however we’ve heard no rumors about it by some means. Nevertheless, since Apple up to date its $329 iPad with that digital camera, it might very nicely present up within the iPhone SE 2.

Don’t anticipate enormous enhancements in digital camera high quality from fancy new sensors, although. Apple is more likely to tout the improved digital camera high quality of the brand new iPhone SE, however it would come principally from improved visible processing of the A15 relative to the A13 within the present 2nd-gen iPhone SE. Moreover, a report from the Chinese language language publication MyDrivers mentioned the brand new SE will doubtless get evening mode.

2022 iPhone SE: Value and launch

We don’t know what the iPhone SE will value, solely that it must be cheaper than another iPhone. The iPhone 12 mini at present retails for $699, and the iPhone SE for $399, every providing 64GB of storage. With the inclusion of 5G and the related licensing prices, it’s fairly potential that the iPhone SE will get a worth hike to one thing like $449 or $499, however Apple didn’t improve the price of the iPhone 12, so it’s unlikely. A report by Investor’s Enterprise Every day mentioned the iPhone SE might begin at $299, which can imply Apple will promote an LTE model alongside the 5G model.

Apple has launched the final two iPhone SE fashions within the spring, and that tracks with the present rumors for the Third-generation mannequin, which pegs it as coming within the first half of 2022. Of notice, Apple stopped promoting the 256GB mannequin of the 2020 iPhone SE in September 2021, which might point out a thinning of the out there inventory.

Trendforce reported in December that Apple is on observe to launch the following iPhone SE within the first quarter of 2022, which might doubtless imply a March launch. And in January, Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants mentioned that manufacturing of the brand new handset will start in January with shipments eyed for late April or early Could.