New iPhone SE Inches Closer to Launch as Suppliers Begin Preparing for Shipments

[MacRumors]

Multiple component suppliers in Apple's supply chain are gearing up for shipments of a third-generation iPhone SE, slated for launch in the first half of 2022, according to industry sources cited by Taiwanese publication DigiTimes.

The full report has yet to be released, but a paywalled preview reads as follows:

VCM suppliers see no cutback in orders for new iPhones: VCM (voice coil motor) and other component suppliers have still seen no cutback in orders for the new iPhones, and are gearing up for shipments for the next generation of Apple's iPhone SE series slated for launch in the first half of 2022, according to industry sources.

Earlier this week, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the new iPhone SE will be equipped with the same 4.7-inch display size and 3GB of RAM as the current model, and the new model is also expected to retain a Touch ID home button and thicker bezels. Kuo previously said key features of the new iPhone SE will include 5G support and a faster processor — likely the A15 chip that debuted in iPhone 13 models and the latest iPad mini.

The new iPhone SE will be released in the first quarter of 2022 specifically, according to Taiwanese research firm TrendForce. If this timeframe proves to be accurate, we can expect the device to be released by the end of March.

Looking farther ahead, rumors suggest that a fourth-generation iPhone SE is slated for launch in 2023 with more significant changes, including a larger display and 4GB of RAM. It's possible this larger iPhone SE will feature a design based on the iPhone XR.

The current iPhone SE launched in April 2020, with pricing starting at $399 for 64GB of storage.

Article Link: New iPhone SE Inches Closer to Launch as Suppliers Begin Preparing for Shipments

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Nice! It might be launching sooner then expected?

 

[AxiomaticRubric]

That is surprising. I thought they were planning to move on from the iPhone 8 chassis sooner than 2023.

 

[John Connor]

They need to move away from this design.

 

[kemal]

The A15 should mean better battery life. This is needed.

 

[Andres Cantu]

Battery on the current SE isn’t very good. Adding 5G on top of that won’t make it any better. The flaw here is the thinness of the design forces it to have a very small battery.

 

[match14]

Wonder what the pricing will be?

 

[yellow8]

This is THE answer for all those making such a fuss about the notch

 

[phillypharm]

Come on, Apple. Just give me a device with an updated design in the same size as the current SE with a full front display and Touch ID like the iPad Air (assuming they don’t want to put FaceID in it). This can even reduce the notch size.

 

[sw1tcher]

Battery on the current SE isn’t very good. Adding 5G on top of that won’t make it any better. The flaw here is the thinness of the design forces it to have a very small battery.

2nd generation iPhone SE is the same thickness (0.29 inches) as iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max

 

[Aston441]

They need to move away from this design.

It's a near perfect design, second only to the 6sPlus, which was perfect. Every iPhone since then has had significant deficiencies, save for the camera improvements.

 

[spartan1967]

Come on, Apple. Just give me a device with an updated design in the same size as the current SE with a full front display and Touch ID like the iPad Air (assuming they don’t want to put FaceID in it). This can even reduce the notch size.

They have. It’s called the 13 mini.

 

[sw1tcher]

Come on, Apple. Just give me a device with an updated design in the same size as the current SE with a full front display and Touch ID like the iPad Air (assuming they don’t want to put FaceID in it). This can even reduce the notch size.

In other words, you want the iPhone 12 mini or 13 mini

 

[phillypharm]

In other words, you want the iPhone 12 mini or 13 mini

They have. It’s called the 13 mini.

I didn’t realize the Mini was $400. Plus, the mini has pretty bad battery life due to its size, which is smaller than the SE.

 

[ph001bi]

Multiple component suppliers in Apple's supply chain are gearing up for shipments of a third-generation iPhone SE, slated for launch in the first half of 2022, according to industry sources cited by Taiwanese publication DigiTimes.

The full report has yet to be released, but a paywalled preview reads as follows:Earlier this week, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the new iPhone SE will be equipped with the same 4.7-inch display size and 3GB of RAM as the current model, and the new model is also expected to retain a Touch ID home button and thicker bezels. Kuo previously said key features of the new iPhone SE will include 5G support and a faster processor — likely the A15 chip that debuted in iPhone 13 models and the latest iPad mini.

The new iPhone SE will be released in the first quarter of 2022 specifically, according to Taiwanese research firm TrendForce. If this timeframe proves to be accurate, we can expect the device to be released by the end of March.

Looking farther ahead, rumors suggest that a fourth-generation iPhone SE is slated for launch in 2023 with more significant changes, including a larger display and 4GB of RAM. It's possible this larger iPhone SE will feature a design based on the iPhone XR.

The current iPhone SE launched in April 2020, with pricing starting at $399 for 64GB of storage.

Article Link: New iPhone SE Inches Closer to Launch as Suppliers Begin Preparing for Shipments

Will this design support eSim? They're quite widely bought by companies trying to keep their hardware cost low. Having the ability to dual sim with eSim would help with roaming costs too...when travelling happens again.

 

[sw1tcher]

I didn’t realize the Mini was $400

Apple's suggested retail price for it might not be $400, but there are/were ways to get it for that around that price or less.

Depending on what your current model iPhone is, you could have traded it in to Best Buy and gotten up to $725 off an iPhone 13 mini. Offer was for new and existing T-Mobile customers.

 

[spartan1967]

I didn’t realize the Mini was $400. Plus, the mini has pretty bad battery life due to its size, which is smaller than the SE.

With everything you have on your wishlist, your SE would probably be more than the 13 mini. Also go to Apple’s comparison page. The 13 mini has hours more of battery life than the current SE.

 

[tedley]

Wonder what the pricing will be?

Probably near what the current SE sells for - maybe a tad higher. It's an entry-level item. Just my guess though.

 

[JM]

Oh goody. Now the battery can drain even faster.

 

[JM]

Come on, Apple. Just give me a device with an updated design in the same size as the current SE with a full front display and Touch ID like the iPad Air (assuming they don’t want to put FaceID in it). This can even reduce the notch size.

It would really be flipping cool with touchID in power button on the mini, and true full screen.

Just imagine ?

 

[tedley]

They need to move away from this design.

Why??? There are many who really like the design. Apple sales bears this out and they wouldn't do it if it wasn't profitable for them. Not everyone wants or needs the latest, most modern design and spec.

 

[one more]

Will this design support eSim? They're quite widely bought by companies trying to keep their hardware cost low. Having the ability to dual sim with eSim would help with roaming costs too...when travelling happens again.

iPhone 2020 supports eSim already, so SE 2022 most certainly will too.

 

[Mainsail]

Seems like this will just be a spec bump.....A15 (better battery life?) and perhaps 5G. Apple will release the new SE when they have ramped up production of the A15 and have plenty of A15 chips available. Like the base iPad with its older design, they need to keep the price of the SE down around $399. Otherwise, it really has no reason to exist in their line-up. So, it will be released when they can produce it profitably at roughly the lowest price point.

As for the design, I have the 2020 SE and it is great. Absolutely no problems with the design. Personally, I prefer Touch ID. Just because it is old and dated doesn't mean the design is bad.

 

[one more]

It would really be flipping cool with touchID in power button on the mini, and true full screen.

Just imagine ?

Sure it would, it is just that Apple is very unlikely to put so much effort into their cheapest device, risking to damage sales of 12 mini, for example.

 

[jntdroid]

I didn’t realize the Mini was $400. Plus, the mini has pretty bad battery life due to its size, which is smaller than the SE.

The physical size is, but the battery size is bigger in both the 12 and 13 mini. The 13 Mini actually has solid battery life, but both the 12 and 13 mini are better than the SE.

I love the SE in concept as I still like that form factor and Touch ID. But they need to get the battery life bumped up to make it worthwhile. I don't really know why they're releasing this new one in a few months if the leaked info is true. A bump to the A15 will help a little bit in battery, but not that much.