Rumors suggest that a 5G iPhone SE 3 could arrive in a matter of days, two years after Apple first revamped its budget iPhone SE – especially with Apple next event now confirmed for March 8.
The rumour mill is a persistent force, and it continues to dish out information about what the iPhone SE 3 might look like. If you've been waiting for Apple low cost smartphones, keep reading and returning here for the latest stuff.
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Apple next iPhone SE could arrive on March 8
Apple invited the media to an event on March 8 at 10 a.m. PT on Wednesday. According to iMore, stock levels of the previous iPhone SE model were dwindling in some Apple stores prior to the event. iMore also discovered an online listing for a new iPhone SE case with a March 10 release date, possibly supporting the rumour that the SE 3 will be released on or around the day of the Apple event.
Bloomberg Mark Gurman stated in his PowerOn newsletter on February 27 that Apple is expected to introduce the 5G iPhone SE at such an event. This is consistent with a research note from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who predicted that the third-generation iPhone SE would most likely be released in the first half of 2022.
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Kuo rumoured timeline was later confirmed by a DigiTimes report, which speculated that a new 5G iPhone SE with an updated A14 Bionic chip could be on the way. Meanwhile, TrendForce has already predicted that the iPhone SE 3 will be available in the first quarter of this year.
According to 91mobiles, Apple has imported three iPhone SE models with model numbers A2595, A2783, and A2784 to India for testing. This could indicate that the phone is about to be launched. According to the report, the imported iPhone SE model costs 23,000 rupees (approximately $305 when converted) in India.
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On the other hand, performance analyst Ross Young predicted in January that the new low-cost iPhone would be available in late April or early May. Although many rumors point to a spring release date for the third-generation iPhone SE, Young previously speculated that the iPhone SE Plus, rather than the iPhone SE 3, could debut in 2022. The Apple iPhone SE 3 may not appear until 2024, according to Young.
Face ID could be coming to the iPhone SE 3
If this rumour is true, there may be a new way to unlock your iPhone SE: Face ID. Except for the 2020 iPhone SE reboot, all of Apple current iPhones already have Face ID. Fans of Apple's midrange handset would rejoice if their iPhone SE 3 could be unlocked using facial recognition (especially since iOS 14.5 added an option for using Face ID while wearing a mask).
According to Gurman latest PowerOn newsletter, Apple intends to incorporate the face scanner into all relevant products, including not only the iPhone SE 3, but also all iPads and Macs.
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The iPhone SE 3 won't get smaller or bigger
In a world of increasingly large smartphones, the iPhone SE has become a best-seller, thanks in part to its small size and powerful combination of prices and features. The first-generation iPhone SE had a 4-inch screen and was praised by CNET Scott Stein for being "amazingly pocket-friendly," among other things. Apple second-generation iPhone SE wasn't as small, but it made up for it in power. (Apple outfitted it with the flagship-level A13 Bionic chip, which also powers the four iPhone 12 family members.)
However, according to Kuo, Apple will not change the size of the upcoming iPhone SE 3. The next-generation iPhone will have a 4.7-inch screen, similar to the 2020 iPhone SE. However, Apple may release a plus-size iPhone SE alongside it for those looking for a more expensive iPhone. More on that in a moment. Remember, the iPhone SE appeals to two models: those on a tight budget who don't want to pay $799 for an iPhone 13 (much less $999 for a Pro or $1,099 for a Pro Max) and those who prefer compact phones.
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A retro design for the iPhone SE 3
According to the report, which was obtained by MacRumors, the third-generation iPhone SE will be similar to existing SE models, implying that the retro design is here to stay. That means we'll get the iPhone SE's signature top and bottom bezels, as well as a physical home button, possibly with Touch ID, for a more tactile user experience. (This may contradict the rumour of a FaceID addition, as Apple has never included both FaceID and a home button on the same phone.) The upcoming iPhone SE, like the 2016 model, is said to have a single camera on the back of the phone.
However, the iPhone SE 3 may still receive a design refresh. According to a rumour from the Chinese site MyDrivers, which was reported on by Forbes, Apple next affordable iPhone will use the iPhone XR chassis rather than the iPhone 8.
iPhone SE 3 tipped to get LCD display, 5G
Rumors suggest that Apple will stick with an LCD display for the third-generation SE rather than upgrading to an OLED screen. OLED are typically more vibrant than LCD, with higher contrast and deeper blacks. I'd love to see Apple go with an OLED display for the SE 3, especially since similarly priced phones like the OnePlus Nord and Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro have sharp OLED displays. However, according to Kuo, the iPhone SE 3 will not bring many major changes, only incremental upgrades to things like 5G support and processor.
Will there be an iPhone SE Plus?
The short answer is: Kuo has been speculating about a larger iPhone SE for some time, first predicting a late 2021 release before shifting his prediction to the first half of 2022, which would potentially coincide with Apple's usual spring release of the iPhone SE. Back in April 2020, tech YouTuber Jon Prosser tweeted about the existence of a plus-size iPhone SE.
As previously stated, Young believes the iPhone SE Plus will be released in 2022. The rumoured iPhone is said to have 5G support as well as the same 4.7-inch LCD display as the current iPhone SE.