A new iPhone Special Edition is expected in the first part of 2022. Analysts predict this to be Apple’s most cheap 5G phone in its third generation, which might entice a billion Android customers to switch. Continue reading to learn everything there is to know about the impending iPhone SE 3.
Almost every rumour suggests that the next iPhone SE 3 will have the same design as the present iPhone Special Edition. According to Macotakara, a Japanese Apple blog, as well as analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Ross Young of DSCC, Apple’s most cheap iPhone will have the same 4.7-inch LCD display and iPhone 8-like design as the iPhone 8.
This suggests the upcoming iPhone Special edition won’t have any major design changes, will maintain Touch ID on the Home Button, and will most likely come in a Starlight or Midnight colour variation. According to Ross Young, more significant modifications, such as hole-punch design, would be left out for the 2023 model.
There were rumours at one point that the next iPhone Special Edition would get a larger 5.5-inch display and a Touch ID side button. For instance, Kuo floated the idea of an ‘iPhone SE Plus’ last year.
However, Apple was previously said that the iPhone SE 3 will be built on the iPhone 8, with a 4.7-inch screen and front Touch ID, but the current rumour claims that it would be based on the XR, with side fingerprint scanners, which, of course, does not rule out front Face ID. Even though it’s doubtful, there’s always the possibility.
The A13 Bionic processor is used in the latest iPhone Special Edition. According to Macotakara and Ming-Chi Kuo, the next generation will see a spec jump, with the A15 Bionic processor, which is the same as the iPhone 13 series, being used.
Since the iPhone special edition debuted, it has always used the same CPU as the current-generation iPhone, so it’s only reasonable that this will continue in 2022.
Rumours are also silent on storage capacities. The latest model comes in 64GB and 128GB capacities. Since Apple just changed the iPhone 13 line to start at 128GB, it’s possible that the iPhone SE 3 may follow suit.
As of now, there aren’t rumours regarding the iPhone SE 3 camera. Though, since it’s likely to have the same design as the iPhone 8, it will probably feature only one main sensor.
If Apple follows the trend, the iPhone SE 3 will probably have a camera close to the iPhone 12 or 13, as the current SE model has a sensor similar to the iPhone 11.
Since the current SE phone only features a 7MP front-facing camera, it would be great if the company puts a 12MP sensor in it. Night Mode, Cinematic Mode, and Photographic Styles would be awesome additions as well – although not rumoured.
Support for a 5G connection is one of the things that all speculations agree on. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the iPhone SE 3 will have two major upgrades: 5G and a faster CPU, in June 2021. In October, Kuo’s projection of a 5G iPhone Special Edition was backed up by Japanese blog Macotakara and analyst Ross Young.
Apple’s newest MagSafe technology will not be supported by the iPhone SE 3. The iPhone Special Edition (3rd generation), which is expected to be the successor to the iPhone Special Edition (2nd generation) released in April 2020, would keep the chassis design and continue to support Qi wireless charging, but will not support MagSafe, according to reputable sources in China.
The iPhone SE 3 might be revealed as early as March 8, according to a Bloomberg rumour from February 2022. According to Mark Gurman, Apple is planning a March event that will include the iPhone SE 3, a new iPad Air, and maybe a new Mac.
Apple is sticking to its schedule of releasing the third-generation iPhone SE in 1Q22 and four additional models in 2H22. The third-generation iPhone Special Edition is likely to be a key tool in Apple’s efforts to build a foothold in the mid-range 5G smartphone market. Its 2022 manufacturing output is expected to be between 25 and 30 million units.
There are currently no speculations about the pricing of the upcoming iPhone SE 3. Because it’s the cheapest iPhone, it’ll almost certainly stay at $399. Even if Apple doesn’t modify the design, doubling the storage option and adding 5G would be a truly nice place for this phone.
If this is the case, it’s vital to remember the JP Morgan report from December, which predicted that this iPhone will convert a billion Android users:
“While Apple’s non-iPhone trade-in programme is admittedly not as appealing as the iPhone trade-in values, it could still lead to an average starting price range of $269 to $399 for the 5G iPhone SE, which is still very competitive,” said analyst Samik Chatterjee, who has a five-star rating on Refinitiv Eikon for his estimate accuracy.
Consumer demand for big improvements like 5G models is projected to stay robust and a priority for suppliers, according to J.P. Morgan, even while demand for other hardware items such as smartphones, TVs, and PCs declines.
So far, these are the rumours regarding the iPhone SE 3. As we hear more about it, we’ll make sure to update this story.