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, the next generation of the iPhone SE series - iPhone SE 3 (iPhone SE 2022) continues to leak information about its specifications and design.
So what changes are users expecting in this compact iPhone? Will the price be as affordable as its predecessor? Let's find out in this article!
Will the new iPhone SE still feature a compact design similar to its predecessors?
Alongside Sony's OmniBalance design language with the Xperia lineup, the Unibody design introduced with the iPhone 6 series by Apple can also be considered a veteran in the smartphone industry.
From 2014 until now, it's been over 7 years, and it seems like Apple still has no intention of abandoning this design style, not only according to 'Apple prophet' Ming-Chi Kuo but also many major news outlets 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 is hope for a design change as images purportedly of the iPhone SE 3 (iPhone SE 2022) were leaked on Weibo, showing an appearance crafted from previous iPhone generations.
Specifically, the images reveal that the iPhone SE 3 has square edges like the iPhone 12 generation, while the glass back and horizontal dual-camera setup closely resemble the iPhone 8 Plus.
The front of the device is perhaps where the most noticeable change is perceived, as the notch has disappeared, replaced instead by a hole-punch camera design. The bezels surrounding the screen have also been slimmed down, and the Home button is no longer present like its predecessor.
The tech community is buzzing with various speculations about the design of the new iPhone SE, with some favoring Apple's traditional compact design.
However, others prefer a larger-screen iPhone SE in 2022, speculating that if the company adopts a bezel-less design for a higher display ratio while maintaining the overall size unchanged, removing Touch ID is entirely possible.
iPhone SE 2022 to be the most affordable 5G iPhone
The iPhone 12 mini or more recently the iPhone 13 mini, upon their releases, were dubbed by Apple as the smallest 5G-supported 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 launching next year will feature 5G connectivity, even the most affordable ones. They also suggest that there may not be any more iPhone mini versions next year, with the compact iPhone segment being handled by the iPhone SE.
Turning back to the iPhone SE 2022, if it follows predictions, the device will run on the Apple A15 chip - a slightly downclocked version.
Therefore, with the starting price of $399 for the SE lineup, this is undoubtedly the most affordable 5G iPhone yet. As for performance, Apple will surely optimize the processor to run efficiently within a compact form factor.
In the event that Apple doesn't equip the iPhone SE 2022 with the A15 chip, the current A14 is still a solid option. Its performance is robust, and importantly, it still supports 5G technology.
iPhone SE 2022 will continue to be positioned as a compact yet powerful device, capable of meeting users' basic needs such as calling, checking emails, or browsing the web smoothly.
Enhancements to the camera on iPhone SE 2022
According to some information, the iPhone SE 2022 will still be equipped with a single rear camera with a 12 MP resolution. At this point, many iFans might be somewhat disappointed because by 2022, there's still only a single 12 MP camera on the iPhone.
However, the previous iPhone SE 2020 model performed very well in photography with just a single 12 MP camera. Despite having only one 12 MP 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, it's rumored that the iPhone SE 2021 will also feature crisp 4K video recording, optical image stabilization (OIS), and Quick Take functionality for capturing photos while filming.
During the iPhone 13 launch event, Apple emphasized a lot on camera features, so who knows, budget-friendly models like the iPhone SE might also receive some additional features.
As for the front camera, Apple has brought a 12 MP wide sensor to the $329 iPad Gen 9, so it's plausible that they could upgrade it for the slightly pricier iPhone SE. Therefore, rumors of a slight upgrade to the front camera of the iPhone SE 3, featuring a 12 MP resolution and f/1.6 aperture according to the tech community, might just come true.
However, while an iPad might have reasons to prioritize better online learning and meeting experiences with a 12 MP front camera, it's a different story for a budget-friendly iPhone like the SE. Perhaps Apple sees this factor as a means to clearly differentiate between models.
Finally, let's talk about the price and release timing
The iPhone SE 2020 was priced at $399 for the 64 GB variant, quite reasonable for an iPhone, hence earning the nickname 'budget iPhone'. Based on the pricing trends of 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 as the exterior of the SE won't undergo much change, with upgrades mainly focused on the internals, featuring a newer processor and high-speed 5G connectivity.
Considering that 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 for Apple's 2022 product lineup.
Everything mentioned above is a compilation of rumors and community expectations for the iPhone SE 2022. As for the actual details, we'll need to wait for official confirmation from Apple at upcoming launch events.
Coming up, we'll be eagerly awaiting the Apple Unleashed event on 18/10. Alongside expectations for the Apple M1X, new MacBook Pro, and AirPods 3, hopefully, Apple might drop some hints about the iPhone SE 2022.
As for the official release date, if predictions from experts hold true, the next generation of the iPhone SE will likely be introduced in Q1/2022.
Are you looking forward to this new iPhone model? What significant changes are you anticipating for this compact iPhone? Leave a comment below!
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