iPhone SE 3 - What To Expect ?

The iPhone SE range is Apple’s budget bestseller. So far, we’ve seen two iterations of the devices. Should we expect a new model? Yes, we can. Based on rumours, we could see Apple launch the third generation iPhone SE in 2022 – as soon as March, in fact. That is yet to be confirmed. However, the rumour mill is already brimming with information on what the iPhone SE 3 could bring to the table. In Australia, you can buy a refurbished phone for a quarter of the price of a brand new one so, should you wait for the latest from Apple or are you better off buying a refurbished flagship phone? In this article, we will take a deep dive into the latest rumours surrounding the iPhone SE 3. Without further ado, let’s jump in. 

Launch Date and Price

Apple launched the first generation iPhone SE back in March 2016. We had to wait four years to see the launch of its successor, which was released on April 24, 2020. The iPhone SE 2020 price in Australia starts at $399. As you can see, the company hasn’t exactly been predictable in its approach to the range. Nevertheless, rumours strongly indicate that the iPhone SE 3 could arrive on March 8 – Apple’s next big event of the year. This lines up with Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s prediction, which suggested that the iPhone SE 3 would likely launch in the first half of 2022. 

On the matter of price, the third generation iPhone SE could launch at a starting price of $300 USD. That is according to Loop Capital Markets analyst John Donovan. If that reduction is maintained internationally, the phone could cost about $510 AUD here in Australia. Another report, however, suggests that Apple could stick to its $399 starting price. Although, it doesn’t rule out a lower price. 

Design

The iPhone SE 3 is likely to sport the same design as the current model. That means it will be modelled after the iPhone 8; hence you can expect a Home Button with Touch ID and thick bezels at the top and bottom. No edge-to-edge touch display for the iPhone SE 3. It should also come with a notch at the top for the selfie camera. Overall, though, the design should still feel modern and premium. 

Display

It is rumoured that the third-generation iPhone SE will sport a 4.7-inch display. This is quite small, given that most manufacturers have migrated to large-screen displays. It’s nonetheless the perfect phone for one-handed use and will feel compact on your palm. Rumours point to an iPhone SE Plus. Plus, models are typically larger than entry-level phones. So if Apple does release an iPhone SE Plus, it should sport a larger display. Reports hint at either a 5.7 or 6.1-inch display like the refurbished iPhone 11.

In regards to the screen resolution, the tech giant might decide to stick to an LCD display rather than upgrading to an OLED. If that’s so, this could prove disappointing as some similarly priced phones boast higher resolutions and OLED technology. 

Camera

Like the 2016 model, the iPhone SE 2022 is rumoured to feature a single rear camera, that is, a 12MP snapper. The actual sensor could be new; hence it should deliver greater photos. It is also said that it will only have one camera at the front as well – a 7MP lens, perhaps. We wouldn’t mind seeing the company upgrade the selfie camera to a 12MP sensor, at least. In addition, we may get to experience improved visual processing on account of the A15 Bionic Chip. 

Performance

The biggest upgrade we can expect from the iPhone SE 3 is a new chipset. Apple has historically outfitted the SE range with the same processor as the one on its most recent high-end iPhone model. Therefore, the phone will likely come powered by an A15 Bionic chipset, just like the iPhone 13 range. That means we can expect solid and snappy performance from the iPhone SE 2022. Connectivity should also be pretty great since the chipset comes paired with Qualcomm’s X60 5G modem. 

There isn’t much information out there about the phone’s storage capabilities. The second-generation iPhone SE is available in 64GB and 128GB variants. Apple may stick to this or start at 128GB like the iPhone 13 line. 

Battery

iPhone SE fans will certainly appreciate a bigger battery on the latest iteration of the phone as the current model’s battery is only 1821 mAh. This is not terrible, and you should get a day’s use out of it. However, the battery can certainly use some improvements. That aside, the iPhone SE 3 will reportedly support Qi wireless charging. It might not come with MagSafe, unfortunately.  

As a 5G budget phone, Apple might have to cut corners to keep costs down. Nevertheless, the phone should come with some noteworthy upgrades to the iPhone SE Second Gen. So if you are in the market for a budget-friendly iPhone, you should probably lay off until the iPhone SE 3 is launched. Don’t worry. You won’t have to wait long as we could see the phone hit the shelves in a week or two.