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 slightly complicated—Apple differentiates the brand new mannequin when vital by calling it the 2nd-generation iPhone SE, however most individuals both name it the iPhone SE (2020) or iPhone SE 2.

We presently count on 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, seemingly at Apple’s spring occasion. Right here’s a abstract of all the newest rumors, leaks, and different data we’ve been capable of collect concerning the subsequent revision of Apple’s most reasonably priced 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 Day by day.

January 19: Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants claims that manufacturing will start in January with shipments seemingly 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 could have the identical show as the present mannequin and can seemingly be Apple’s final iPhone with a house button.

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

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

June 23: In a observe 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 count on the subsequent iPhone SE to bodily resemble the present mannequin. That’s maybe slightly disappointing—the iPhone SE relies on the physique of the iPhone 8, which is now discontinued. Nonetheless, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple plans to maneuver forward with one other SE mannequin to function the 4.7-inch LCD show, a Residence button with Contact ID, and no Face ID. In October, Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants reported that the subsequent iPhone SE could 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 subsequent iPhone SE is as soon as once more rumored to be based mostly on the iPhone 8’s shell, with choose new parts. Nikkei Asia reported in July that the subsequent SE “will appear to be a refreshed model of the iPhone 8 and have a 4.7-inch liquid crystal diode (LCD) show.”

Apple can also 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 seemingly for a 2023 or 2024 launch. Apple nonetheless sells the iPhone 11 for $499 and a brand new SE with the same design would straight compete with it at a cheaper price.

2022 iPhone SE: 5G

The massive promoting level of the subsequent iPhone SE is claimed to be that it’s the most reasonably priced 5G iPhone ever. The iPhone 12 mini is presently the least costly 5G iPhone at $699, so you possibly can count on the iPhone SE to price lower than that, although it might not retain the $399 value 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 vital 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 can reportedly be contained in the iPhone 13. Japanese Apple website Macotakara echoed the 5G rumor in October. Younger additionally reported that the iPhone SE could 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 newest 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 count on to be the A15, which was reported by Nikkei Asia and Macotakara. Nonetheless, a report in July from DigiTimes claimed that Apple could be utilizing the A14 Bionic chip within the A12 as a substitute. Both chip will make the SE quick, an incredible 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 count on 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 digicam as the present mannequin, together with a lone front-facing digicam. The present mannequin has a 7MP front-facing digicam, which we wish to see upgraded to 12MP, however we’ve heard no rumors about it somehow. Nonetheless, since Apple up to date its $329 iPad with that digicam, it might very effectively present up within the iPhone SE 2.

Don’t count on large enhancements in digicam high quality from fancy new sensors, although. Apple is more likely to tout the improved digicam high quality of the brand new iPhone SE, however it would come largely 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 seemingly get night time mode.

2022 iPhone SE: Worth and launch

We don’t know what the iPhone SE will price, solely that it must be inexpensive than some other iPhone. The iPhone 12 mini presently 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 doable that the iPhone SE will get a value 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 Day by 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 observe, Apple stopped promoting the 256GB mannequin of the 2020 iPhone SE in September 2021, which might point out a thinning of the accessible inventory.

Trendforce reported in December that Apple is on monitor to launch the subsequent iPhone SE within the first quarter of 2022, which might seemingly 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.