iPhone SE Inventory 'Quickly' Dwindling at Apple Stores Ahead of New Model With These Upgrades

[MacRumors]

Apple is widely rumored to be planning a new iPhone SE, and there is now a fresh hint that the device's launch is approaching.

In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said iPhone SE inventory is "quickly" dwindling at a "large number" of Apple Store locations in the U.S., and he believes this is a "reliable sign" that a new model is on the horizon.

The current iPhone SE is still available to order on Apple's online store.

According to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone SE 4 will be released around the quarter mark of 2025. That means the device will likely be released this March or April, just like all previous iPhone SE models were.

The new iPhone SE is said to have a similar design as the base iPhone 14. Rumored features for the device include a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, a USB-C port, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, a newer A-series chip and an increased 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence support, and the first Apple-designed 5G modem.

The current iPhone SE looks similar to the iPhone 8, with outdated features such as a Touch ID button, Lightning port, and thick bezels around the display. Pricing starts at $429, but at least a slight price increase seems probable for the next model.

Article Link: iPhone SE Inventory 'Quickly' Dwindling at Apple Stores Ahead of New Model With These Upgrades

 

[jouster]

The main camera on my 12 has failed, so I will be in the market for the SE or a 16. Curious to see how the two are differentiated.

 

[5987184]

Apple’s supply chain continues to be a thing of marvel. Tim Apple, you da man!

 

[Nilhum]

If it has a 6.1 inch screen, won’t it be too similar to the iPhone 16 models? The SE is cheap and small and all these changes will do the opposite.

 

[JosephAW]

Remember Mr. Cook the three P’s: price, price and price.

 

[ThatsMeRight]

If it has a 6.1 inch screen, won’t it be too similar to the iPhone 16 models? The SE is cheap and small and all these changes will do the opposite.

Don't forget the new SE is not only positioned against the 16, but rather also against the upcoming iPhone 17. They're setting up their new holiday line-up, starting with the SE 4 (or whatever they'll call it). The SE 4 won't be updated for years, so at some point it will also be up against the 18 and likely the 19.

It's going to be the iPhone for those that want things to just work, but don't need fancy features:

- No action button
- Just a single good camera, not 2 or 3 cameras
- No camera control
- No ProMotion (which the 17 will likely get)
- Lower screen brightness
- Maybe no camera features like Audio Mix, Wind Noise Reduction, etc.
- Maybe no new UW chip, no thread, etc.
- 'Old' notch design

In other words: it's an iPhone and you'll get the iPhone experience as it will have a very good camera, very nice display, very good chip, etc... but you're still going to miss out on features. For many people, the notch will feel dated already and they'll automatically rule out an SE 4. Apple has a very good upselling strategy. Just look at their iPads: for 90% of the people, the base iPad is actually all they need... but for just a little bit more, you get the Air with some nicer features... and then, when you're mentally in that territory, the Pro isn't farstretched either.

Apple will do the same here: you'll get a very decent SE... but just for a few hundred more, you get the iPhone 17 with modern notch design, ProMotion, extra cameras, action button, camera control, etc. + whatever new the add to the 17 this fall. (I bet something like ProMotion 90 or even 120).

And then for another $100 or $200, you can actually get the 'very cool looking and ultra slim iPhone 17 Air'.

Oh, and now you're only $100 away from a 17 Pro model.

Edit:

iPhone 14 is going to be $599 starting next month.

The new SE is bound to be cheaper to produce, because according to rumors it will share the same ‘base’ manufacturing lines along with other iPhones.

They’re also going to skimp on some features, like the removal of cameras.

It’s safe to say that the new SE will retail min. $499, max $599.

I was guessing $499 earlier in this thread. It's become $599. Fits perfectly in the 'replace iPhone 14' strategy.

 

[SactoGuy18]

Question: has anyone inspected the code on Beta 3 of iOS 18.3 and see any references to the new low-cost iPhone model?

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Also, I'm calling it now: the price will be $499.

...and almost no one will pay that. It'll be free with a phone contract, or deeply discounted with pre-paid plans...so the listed price is nearly irrelevant.

The only ones paying almost full price will be corporate customers. The only phone my company offers is the SE.

 

[mike090910]

This may just be the biggest number of units sold this year for Apple.

 

[Plutonius]

I was planning on waiting for just before the SE 4 is released but it looks like I need to order an SE 3 now if I want one.

 

[Saturn007]

Still looks like far too big a phone for many of us!

How will its actual physical dimensions compare to those of the iPhone SE 2022 — or, of more importance, at least to many of us, to those of the iPhone SE 2016?

I have big hands, but the modern slab iPhones are simply too big and uncomfortable to hold. The iPhone SE 2016 remains the perfect size. Give me a physical home button every day of the week!

 

[Populus]

I was planning on waiting for just before the SE 4 is released but it looks like I need to order an SE 3 now if I want one.

Yeah, if you want an SE 3, order it now. The last iPhone with Touch ID, a great device for those that still love LCD displays in a compact form factor. Even today, its A15 chip with 4GB of RAM is very capable of almost anything.

 

[Populus]

Still looks like far too big a phone for many of us!

How will its actual physical dimensions compare to those of the iPhone SE 2022 — or, of more importance, at least to many of us, to those of the iPhone SE 2016?

I have big hands, but the modern slab iPhones are simply too big and uncomfortable to hold. The iPhone SE 2016 remains the perfect size. Give me a physical home button every day of the week!

Just grab a regular iPhone 12/13/14, and that’s the size of the next iPhone SE. It’s going to feel BIG to many of us, sadly.

 

[klasma]

Don't forget the new SE is not only positioned against the 16, but rather also against the upcoming iPhone 17. They're setting up their new holiday line-up, starting with the SE 4 (or whatever they'll call it). The SE 4 won't be updated for years, so at some point it will also be up against the 18 and likely the 19.

It's going to be the iPhone for those that want things to just work, but don't need fancy features:

- No action button
- Just a single good camera, not 2 or 3 cameras
- No camera control
- No ProMotion (which the 17 will likely get)
- Lower screen brightness
- Maybe no camera features like Audio Mix, Wind Noise Reduction, etc.
- Maybe no new UW chip, no thread, etc.
- 'Old' notch design

It also might not have MagSafe (only Qi).

 

[WarmWinterHat]

It also might not have MagSafe (only Qi).

If it doesn't then case makers will step in with MagSafe cases, just like the current SE.

 

[Populus]

If it has a 6.1 inch screen, won’t it be too similar to the iPhone 16 models? The SE is cheap and small and all these changes will do the opposite.

The SE on the iPhone SE never stood for “small edition”. The SE products such as the Apple Watch SE or the iPhone SE, are entry level devices that re-utilise an older design with newer internals to offer an affordable product for people who aren’t looking for the latest design, and just want a product that works well.

 

[shamus99]

just ordered,,,, nothing in stock nearby

 

[Expos of 1969]

...and almost no one will pay that. It'll be free with a phone contract, or deeply discounted with pre-paid plans...so the listed price is nearly irrelevant.

The only ones paying almost full price will be corporate customers. The only phone my company offers is the SE.

Not true at all for Europe and possibly other areas outside the US.

 

[Expos of 1969]

The Apple Store in the EU is no longer selling the SE 3 due to the USB C issue. However, some Apple Resellers are still offering the SE 3. Prices are still what Apple was charging, the equivalent of USD 645 for the 128 GB model. This price includes the 25.5% VAT in my country.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don't believe Gurman saying current SE stock is quickly depleting. I don't see the SE as a hot ticket item.

 

[lenningj]

looking forward to seeing what the upgrade is against the base 13, hopefully a big push from apple with newer set of features to combat growing competition with similar price points, even if it might edge closer towards the offering from the 16/16 pro etc

 

[ghanwani]

Yeah, if you want an SE 3, order it now. The last iPhone with Touch ID, a great device for those that still love LCD displays in a compact form factor. Even today, its A15 chip with 4GB of RAM is very capable of almost anything.

It's usable but there is noticeable lag. It is no where near as responsive as it was when new. I still wish they would refresh it. It's the last phone that works for me. I think I may buy one when they offer it on clearance as a backup.

 

[Populus]

It's usable but there is noticeable lag. It is no where near as responsive as it was when new. I still wish they would refresh it. It's the last phone that works for me. I think I may buy one when they offer it on clearance as a backup.

Your experience, not mine (with iOS 18.1)

 

[Expos of 1969]

It's usable but there is noticeable lag. It is no where near as responsive as it was when new. I still wish they would refresh it. It's the last phone that works for me. I think I may buy one when they offer it on clearance as a backup.

I do not notice any lag on my SE 3. My wife has no complaints about her SE 2 either. My battery capacity is at 93 and hers is at 83 so hopefully we have some time left. Do not want an OLED screen or Face ID.

 

[Chuckeee]

What about iPhone 14 inventory?