Buzz
Surrounding the iPhone 13 series, iPhone 12 series, and iPhone 11 series, the iPhone SE series, also known as the Apple family, is receiving significant attention from iFans. The iPhone SE 2020 surprised many with its compact 4.7-inch design, boasting the powerful A13 Bionic chip akin to the iPhone 11, and notably offering an unprecedentedly attractive price point.
In recent days, rumors about the next generation of the iPhone SE series - iPhone SE 3 (iPhone SE 2022) continue to surface regarding its specifications and design.
So what changes are users anticipating in this compact iPhone? Will the price remain as affordable as its predecessor? Let's delve into it in this article!
Will the new iPhone SE retain a compact design similar to its predecessors?
Besides Sony's OmniBalance design language seen in the Xperia series, the Unibody design introduced since the iPhone 6 series by Apple can also be considered a veteran in the smartphone industry.
From 2014 to the present, it's been over 7 years, and Apple seems reluctant to abandon this design language, as noted not only by the 'prophet' Ming-Chi Kuo but also by many major publications, indicating that Apple will continue with another 4.7-inch iPhone model featuring an LCD display, Retina HD resolution, and the legendary Touch ID home button.
However, there's still hope for design changes, as purported images of the iPhone SE 3 (iPhone SE 2022) were recently leaked on Weibo, suggesting a fusion of design elements from previous iPhone generations.
Specifically, the images reveal that the iPhone SE 3 boasts squared-off edges reminiscent of the iPhone 12 series, while the glass back and horizontally arranged dual-camera module bear a striking resemblance to the iPhone 8 Plus.
Perhaps the most noticeable change is on the front, where the notch has seemingly vanished, replaced by a hole-punch style camera. The bezels surrounding the display have also been slimmed down, and the Home button is notably absent, departing from its predecessor.
The tech community is abuzz with various speculations about the design of the new iPhone SE. Some prefer Apple's traditional compact design.
However, others favor a larger-screen iPhone SE in 2022. If Apple adopts a bezel-less design for a higher screen-to-body ratio while maintaining the overall size, eliminating Touch ID entirely is entirely feasible.
iPhone SE 2022 to be the most affordable 5G iPhone
The iPhone 12 mini and more recently the iPhone 13 mini, upon their releases, were dubbed by Apple as the smallest 5G-capable iPhones and also the most affordable in Apple's lineup. The upcoming iPhone SE is predicted to take this position.
According to Nikkei Asia Review, all Apple mobile devices launched next year will feature 5G connectivity, even the most budget-friendly ones. They also suggest that there might be no more iPhone mini variants, with the compact segment being handled by the iPhone SE instead.
Turning back to the iPhone SE 2022, if it indeed comes with the predicted Apple A15 chip - albeit slightly underclocked.
Hence, with a starting price of just $399 for the SE lineup, this will undoubtedly be the most affordable 5G iPhone yet. As for performance, Apple will undoubtedly optimize the chipset to perform admirably within a compact form factor.
In case Apple doesn't equip the iPhone SE 2022 with the A15 chip, the current A14 chip is still a viable option, as its performance remains robust, and importantly, it still supports 5G technology.
iPhone SE 2022 will still be positioned as a compact yet powerful device, catering well to users' basic needs such as calls, email checking, and light web browsing.
Enhancements to the camera on iPhone SE 2022
According to some information, the iPhone SE 2022 will still feature a single rear camera with a 12 MP resolution. At this point, many iFans might be somewhat disappointed that even in 2022, the iPhone only sports a single 12 MP camera.
However, the previous iPhone SE 2020 model performed admirably with just a single 12 MP camera. Despite having only one 12MP camera with an f/1.8 aperture on the rear, the iPhone SE 2020 still supported various portrait modes such as Portrait Lighting, High-Key Light Mono, post-shot aperture adjustment, and more.
Regarding video recording capabilities, the iPhone SE 2021 is rumored to feature crisp 4K video recording, optical image stabilization (OIS), and the Quick Take feature for capturing photos while filming.
During the iPhone 13 launch event, Apple emphasized camera features significantly, so who knows, budget-friendly models like the iPhone SE might also receive some additional features.
For the front camera, Apple has already introduced a 12 MP wide sensor on the $329 iPad Gen 9, so it's plausible that they could upgrade the front camera of the slightly more expensive iPhone SE. Rumors suggest an upgrade to a 12 MP front camera with an f/1.6 aperture, which could indeed happen according to tech pundits.
However, while iPads may have reasons for improved online learning and meetings, a 12 MP front camera sounds reasonable. Yet, for a budget-friendly iPhone like the SE, it's a different story. Apple might view this as a clear differentiation factor among its lineup.
Finally, it's about the price and release timing
The iPhone SE 2020 was priced at $399 for the 64GB version, quite reasonable for an iPhone, hence earning the moniker 'affordable iPhone'. Based on recent iPhone generations like the iPhone 12 and 13 Series, it's highly likely that Apple won't increase the price for the iPhone SE 2022.
This seems quite reasonable because the exterior of the SE won't undergo much change, with upgrades mainly focusing on internals such as a newer processor and high-speed 5G connectivity.
Since the iPhone 11 is still priced at $499 and the iPhone 12 at $599, the SE lineup at $399 remains the most attractive and fitting option for Apple's 2022 product lineup.
All that's mentioned above is a compilation of rumors and community expectations for the iPhone SE 2022. As for the reality, we'll need to await official confirmation from Apple in upcoming launch events.
Upcoming is the Apple Unleashed event on 18/10. Hopefully, alongside the Apple M1X, new MacBook Pro, and AirPods 3, Apple might also drop some hints about the iPhone SE 2022.
Regarding the official release date, if predictions by experts hold true, the next generation of iPhone SE will be introduced in Q1/2022.
Are you eagerly anticipating this new iPhone model? What significant changes are you expecting on this compact iPhone? Drop your comments below!
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