What to Expect From Apple's Upcoming 2022 iPhone SE 5G

[MacRumors]

Update: 📢 New iPhone SE has been announced.📢

👀 Read the details. We will update this guide to reflect the release information shortly.


Apple is working on an updated version of its most affordable iPhone, and the new 2022 version of the iPhone SE could be coming out within a matter of weeks. While not the most exciting refresh, there are some features that are going to be great at the $399 price point that the iPhone SE sells at.

This guide covers everything that we know about the upcoming iPhone SE based on rumors and past release history.

Design

We are not expecting any design changes for the next version of the iPhone SE. It's going to continue to look like the current 2020 iPhone SE, which is modeled after the iPhone 8. The current iPhone SE is available in black, white, and (PRODUCT)RED, and we are expecting to see the same color options for the new model.

It will feature a 4.7-inch LCD display with thick bezels and a Touch ID Home button, making it Apple's most modern iPhone that still offers Touch ID. All other iPhones have transitioned to Face ID, and there are rumors that future versions of the low-cost iPhone will do so as well, but not at this time.

The back of the device will be made of glass to facilitate wireless charging, but it won't include MagSafe technology. Like old models, the new iPhone SE will feature IP67 water and dust resistance. We're also not expecting changes to the battery life given the lack of design updates, so battery life will likely be the same.

5G Speeds

5G connectivity will be the major selling point of the new iPhone SE, with Apple bringing 5G speeds to a much more affordable iPhone. At the current time, Apple's cheapest 5G iPhone is the $599 iPhone 12 mini, but the iPhone SE will be a good deal cheaper if the rumors are accurate.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has said it will be the most affordable 5G iPhone available, and in terms of connection speeds, it could be on par with Apple's iPhone 13 and 13 Pro models. It's worth noting that with the iPhone 13 models, the fastest mmWave 5G speeds are limited to the United States, and that's likely to be the case with the iPhone SE as well should it support mmWave speeds.

We haven't really heard either way if Apple plans to limit the more affordable iPhones to sub-6GHz networks, but it seems unlikely.

Updated Processor

The current iPhone SE has an A13 Bionic chip, and the 2022 model is expected to get a newer, faster chip. Apple could opt to go with the A15 chip, putting it on par with the iPhone 13 models, though we've also heard a rumor about the A14.

When the 2020 iPhone SE was released, it included the same A13 chip that had been used in the iPhone 11 models the prior September, so we could see the same situation in 2022 with the new iPhone SE adopting the A15.

Storage Space

Storage space is expected to start at 64GB, with 128 and 256GB options available at a higher price point.

Battery Life

The current iPhone SE lasts for 13 hours when watching videos, eight hours when streaming videos, and 40 hours when listening to audio, and it is capable of fast charging and can charge to 50 percent in 30 minutes when using an 18W power adapter or higher.

Cameras

The iPhone SE is expected to feature an updated camera, and it could adopt the latest Wide-Angle camera from the iPhone 13. We don't know specifics at this time, but camera improvements are planned.

The current iPhone SE features a 7-megapixel front-facing camera and a single-lens 12-megapixel rear camera.

Naming

Apple could call the new iPhone SE the iPhone SE 5G to differentiate it from the 2020 version, but it could also just stick with the standard iPhone SE name.

Display analyst Ross Young has said that the iPhone SE could be called the "iPhone SE Plus" even though it's not getting a larger display, but that seems unlikely because historically, the "Plus" naming has denoted a larger screen size.

Pricing

The 2022 iPhone SE is expected to be priced starting at $399, which is the same asking price as the current 2020 model.

Release Date

Apple is planning to hold its first event of 2022 on Tuesday, March 8. This "Peek Performance" event will focus on the iPhone SE, the iPad Air, and at least one new Mac with an M1 Pro/Max chip, likely the Mac mini.

A Future iPhone SE

We've heard rumors of another low-cost iPhone possibly in the iPhone SE family that features an all-display design, and this iPhone SE with a larger display and no Home button is expected to come out in 2023 or 2024.

Display analyst Ross Young believes that Apple is working on a version of the iPhone SE with a larger 5.7 to 6.1-inch display and a hole-punch camera slated. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also said that a larger version of the iPhone SE will launch in 2023, featuring an updated, bigger display and 4GB RAM.

Back in 2019, Kuo said there would be an "iPhone SE Plus" with a full-screen design, no Face ID, and a Touch ID fingerprint sensor built into the power button on the side of the device, but such a device did not surface. It's possible Apple was working on this iPhone SE for an earlier launch, but pushed it back.

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Article Link: What to Expect From Apple's Upcoming 2022 iPhone SE 5G

 

[Realityck]

A lot of possibilities with whats next for the iPhone SE 3rd gen. In any case 5G update would be very useful.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I’m hoping 5G is not a battery killer for the iPhone SE, 2022 model. Hopefully, Apple can increase the battery capacity. This is the perfect low-budget iPhone.

 

[Juicy Box]

Coming from the SE1, I am kind of stuck between the rumored SE3 and the 13 Mini for my next iPhone.

My SE1 is getting older, so I would like to get something new. I really dislike the design of the SE2/Rumored SE3, and it is a little too big than what I want, but I like Touch ID and the cheaper (rumored) price is nice.

I like the design of the 13 Mini, and the size of it will be closer to the SE1, but think I will miss Touch ID.

I think I am leaning towards the iPhone 13 Mini.

 

[JPack]

I wouldn't be surprised if the price was bumped up by $50 or the lack of mmW support. The likely buyers are price-sensitive and on pre-paid plans.

 

[Realityck]

I’m hoping 5G is not a battery killer for the iPhone SE, 2022 model. Hopefully, Apple can increase the battery capacity. This is the perfect low-budget iPhone.

Some of the wireless carriers won't do as well betting on mm5G band usage that uses more energy. A phone this cheap should offer the bands not related to mm5G.

Look at this article to see how AT&T screwed themselves.

List of 5G Bands in the US for Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile

Check out the list of 5G Bands in the US for Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile. We have included which carriers offer n41 5G and much more.

beebom.com

• Verizon​

Of all the carriers, Verizon offers the fastest average 5G speed (722Mbps), according to an Opensignal report. It’s because Verizon has a healthy balance of 5G bands from mid-band to mmWave bands. On top of that, Verizon also uses DSS (Dynamic Spectrum Sharing) to bring 5G speed by combining 4G spectrums in non-urban areas.
Not to mention, Verizon has the highest share of the 28GHz band which makes it one of the biggest potential mmWave carriers in the US. Note that Verizon calls sub-6GHz frequency as Nationwide 5G and mmWave frequency as Ultra Wide Band 5G.

• AT&T​

While AT&T won the 39GHz spectrum in May 2020, it’s still relying on its old 850MHz frequency band to offer low-band 5G to users. The average 5G speed of AT&T is currently 59.3Mbps. According to this report, AT&T has launched 39GHz 5G in parts of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It’s expected that AT&T’s 39GHz 5G will offer speed up to 3Gbps.

• Sprint​

Sprint only has one 5G frequency band right now, but the 2.5GHz frequency band is a sweet spot when it comes to offering great speed and good coverage. Now Sprint has been merged with T-Mobile and the latter is taking great advantage of the 2.5GHz frequency band. The mid-band frequency is offering download speed around 180Mbps on average.

• T-Mobile​

After Verizon, if there is one carrier that offers both mmWave and Mid-band 5G then it’s T-Mobile. As I mentioned above, after the Sprint-T-Mobile merger, the company is offering Mid-band 5G services using the 2.5GHz band. In addition, it has the spectrum for mmWave 5G as well: 28GHz and 39GHz. And to serve the downtown areas, T-Mobile is using 600MHz 5G. The best part is that it has an average 5G speed of 243Mbps, right behind Verizon.

More recent purchases see https://www.networkworld.com/articl...llions-while-verizon-sits-out.html#tk.rss_all

 

[Glideslope]

I’m hoping 5G is not a battery killer for the iPhone SE, 2022 model. Hopefully, Apple can increase the battery capacity. This is the perfect low-budget iPhone.

It’s going to be interesting to see. No way this SE has mmW. Hopefully they go with the efficiency of the A15 to offset 5G battery drain. No matter the carrier, mmW, or GHz band 5G uses battery.

I don’t see a bigger battery, perhaps a battery with improved efficiency but most likely the same as the SE you can buy today.

Apple will hopefully use the power efficiency of the A15.

 

[bmot]

„which is modeled after the ‌iPhone‌ 8“

Are you getting payed by Apple for whitewashing this outdated design? This phone is not modeled after the iPhone 8 design. It is modeled after the iPhone 6 design which is now eight years old.

 

[JPack]

It’s going to be interesting to see. No way this SE has mmW. Hopefully they go with the efficiency of the A15 to offset 5G battery drain. No matter the carrier, mmW, or GHz band 5G uses battery.

I don’t see a bigger battery, perhaps a battery with improved efficiency but most likely the same as the SE you can buy today.

Apple will hopefully use the power efficiency of the A15.

If you're banking on A15, I'd say forget about it.

iPhone 13 saw big improvements because of better OLED emitters and an average 12% higher capacity battery across the lineup. A15 is a small part of the story because Apple always chooses higher performance which eats into any efficiency gains.

 

[VertPin]

„which is modeled after the ‌iPhone‌ 8“

Are you getting payed by Apple for whitewashing this outdated design? This phone is not modeled after the iPhone 8 design. It is modeled after the iPhone 6 design which is now eight years old.

The iPhone 8 takes inspiration from the iPhone 6. The differences being home button, glass back, and camera. The SE uses the iPhone 8 style (an iteration of the iPhone 6). It's fair to say that since the iPhone SE will look most like the iPhone 8, not the iPhone 6, that it is modeled after the iPhone 8.

 

[CarlJ]

Hopefully, Apple can increase the battery capacity.

If they keep it in the same chassis as the last SE, where would they put this extra capacity?

 

[jclo]

„which is modeled after the ‌iPhone‌ 8“

Are you getting payed by Apple for whitewashing this outdated design? This phone is not modeled after the iPhone 8 design. It is modeled after the iPhone 6 design which is now eight years old.

iPhone 6 didn't have a glass back. In my opinion, it's more accurate to say it's modeled after the iPhone 8.

 

[miq]

Hard to get excited about an 8 year old phone design with embarrassingly woeful battery life.

 

[tomacwhite]

If it’s out a week after March 8th, that would be great. My 7+ is knackered now.

 

[nutmac]

Hard to get excited about an 8 year old phone design with embarrassingly woeful battery life.

Agreed. But at least Apple seems to be accelerating the update cycle from 4 years (from 1st to 2nd) to 2 years (from 2nd to 3rd).

iPhone SE (4th gen) is rumored to launch as early as next year with 5.7" (iPhone X/XS/11 Pro) or 6.1 (iPhone XR/11) design.

 

[Paddle1]

„which is modeled after the ‌iPhone‌ 8“

Are you getting payed by Apple for whitewashing this outdated design? This phone is not modeled after the iPhone 8 design. It is modeled after the iPhone 6 design which is now eight years old.

I agree it's outdated but the iPhone 6 chassis was a completely different (and infamously bendable) material compared to the iPhone 8's glass. The distinction is important.

 

[Glideslope]

If you're banking on A15, I'd say forget about it.

iPhone 13 saw big improvements because of better OLED emitters and an average 12% higher capacity battery across the lineup. A15 is a small part of the story because Apple always chooses higher performance which eats into any efficiency gains.

I wasn’t banking on it. I was simply looking at what I could only see as added efficiency with 5G. Of curse we don’t know the extent of other new components. I assume it will have the QC X60.

I don’t see how battery life will stay the same on 5G with the same battery capacity. It’s still an iPhone 8 chassis. Although I suppose there could be some creative rearranging of internal components to allow for a new battery shape with a slight increase, but unlikely.

 

[Paddle1]

From the sounds of it the 2nd and 3rd gen SEs are kind of boring. The mediocre battery, throttled performance, less RAM and long in the tooth design aren't very exciting.

The original SE with a camera and specs that matched the current flagship and great battery life at the time was more intriguing. Very future proof as well.. still getting updates 6 years later.

 

[julesme]

“We're also not expecting changes to the battery life given the lack of design updates, so battery life will likely be the same.”

This could be an overly simplistic take…

The A15 is a far more advanced chip (relative to the A13), and the A15 used a 5nm fabrication process. At the very least, I would expect the video streaming to be more efficient on the A15. In addition, if the SOC is more efficient, generates less heat, and takes up less physical space (vs the current SE), then there may be more room and/or thermal envelope for a slightly larger capacity battery.

 

[traveltoromantis]

„which is modeled after the ‌iPhone‌ 8“

Are you getting payed by Apple for whitewashing this outdated design? This phone is not modeled after the iPhone 8 design. It is modeled after the iPhone 6 design which is now eight years old.

Perhaps a happy medium would be:

It's going to continue to look like the current 2020 iPhone SE. The 2020 iPhone SE is modeled after the iPhone 8, which in itself shares many design similarities with the 2014 flagship iPhone 6.

 

[CrazyForCashews]

Fingers crossed for an updated camera and night mode capabilities!

 

[JPack]

I wasn’t banking on it. I was simply looking at what I could only see as added efficiency with 5G. Of curse we don’t know the extent of other new components. I assume it will have the QC X60.

I don’t see how battery life will stay the same on 5G with the same battery capacity. It’s still an iPhone 8 chassis. Although I suppose there could be some creative rearranging of internal components to allow for a new battery shape with a slight increase, but unlikely.

The download speed of the modem can be limited to 3.5 Gbps instead of 7.5 Gbps. We see this with X52 which lowers power consumption.

It’s not a given that 5G will necessarily increase power consumption.

 

[return2sendai]

Nothing here for me. I’ll stick with my 2020 SE. Fab device. No reason whatsoever to add another phone to the toxic waste pile of novelty.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Nobody was clamoring for either of these... How's about an M1X/M2 MacBook Air and Mac mini?

 

[Glideslope]

The download speed of the modem can be limited to 3.5 Gbps instead of 7.5 Gbps. We see this with X52 which lowers power consumption.

It’s not a given that 5G will necessarily increase power consumption.

Reducing the modems capability seems an inefficient way to offer 5G. Especially with the X60, IMO.

Perhaps this SE will have the X52 then?