Everything We Know About Apple’s ‘iPhone SE Plus’ and ‘iPhone SE 3’

Just last year, Apple finally updated the iPhone SE after four long years. The second-generation iPhone became a favorite because of its small design and powerful chip inside. 

Now, it seems like Apple won’t take another four years to release a new iPhone SE. Not only that, but it seems like Apple’s working not on one but two iPhone SE models – albeit they won’t come out at the same time. 

If you’re in the market for a small yet powerful phone, you might want to wait a little longer.

Apple’s Releasing a New iPhone SE Next Year

Many rumors point out that Apple’s currently working on a third-generation iPhone SE, albeit it won’t be that much different from the current model. 

According to different sources, Apple will call the new affordable device iPhone SE Plus, but it’ll stay the size as the current iPhone SE. Yes, it really doesn’t make much sense, so take these rumors with a grain of salt.

With that said, it’s possible that Apple would consider this a “Plus” model because of the new connectivity features it’s rumored to have, but more on that later.

That isn’t the only iPhone SE Apple’s currently working on, however. According to many rumors, a totally different iPhone SE will be released a couple of years after the iPhone SE Plus.

What Will the New iPhone SE Look Like?

As we mentioned before, Apple will continue using the same design as the current iPhone SE. Meaning, the company will keep recycling the iPhone 8 carcass while bumping up the processor inside.

If the rumors are correct, the 2022 iPhone SE will have the same 4.7-inch LCD display with the same camera on the back and Touch ID on the front.

Some renders have also showcased an iPhone SE with the body of an iPhone XR, but most rumors say that’s not going to happen next year. 

The so-called iPhone SE 3, however, would have a bigger redesign. According to many rumors, this iPhone will feature a bigger display—probably between 5.7 to 6.1 inches— but Apple won’t upgrade it to OLED and will keep using LCD instead.

The first rumors said that Apple would release two different iPhone SE models that would use the same design as the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. Ultimately, that didn’t happen, and it’s speculated that Apple couldn’t pull it off because of the pandemic. 

There have also been rumors that Apple’s working on an iPhone SE with no notch, as amazing as that sounds. It would have a hole-punch camera instead, and it could possibly feature Touch ID on the side button like the current iPad Air and iPad mini.

iPhone SE 5G

According to many rumors, Apple will bring 5G to the 2022 iPhone SE, which seems entirely possible. The company’s been pushing 5G hard since the debut of the iPhone 12, and it would make sense if Apple decides to add 5G support to the affordable iPhone to make it as future-proof as possible –since most people with an iPhone SE don’t upgrade phones often.

The New iPhone SE Will Be the Most Powerful and Affordable iPhone Yet

Just like with previous models, Apple is said to add one of their most powerful chips to the third-generation iPhone SE, albeit we don’t know exactly which one yet.

The first rumors said that Apple would use the iPhone 12’s A14 Bionic Chip, which would still make the new iPhone SE one of the most powerful and affordable smartphones available. 

On the other hand, other rumors were more optimistic and said Apple would use the A15 Bionic chip instead, which is the same one the current iPhone 13 lineup uses. 

In the 2020 iPhone SE, Apple used the A13 Bionic chip, which was also used in the iPhone 11 in 2019.

If Apple repeats this cycle, it’s more likely that we’ll see the A15 Bionic chip. That is, of course, if Apple manages to solve the current supply chain issues.

Will We See Face ID on the New iPhone SE?

Face ID might be possible, but not on 2022’s iPhone SE. As we mentioned before, Apple is said to continue to use the old iPhone 8 design on the new iPhone SE, which means that it’ll still use Touch ID to unlock. 

The so-called iPhone SE 3, which is said to come out after next year’s iPhone SE Plus, might come with Face ID. There have been rumors that Apple’s working on bringing Face ID to all of its products, so it’s possible but unlikely.

New iPhone SE Release Date

As of right now, the only thing we know is that Apple plans to release a new iPhone SE in 2022, but we don’t know exactly when.

If Apple plans to use the same strategy it used for the current iPhone SE, we should expect to see this new iPhone SE Plus sometime in the first quarter of 2022.

The iPhone SE 3, on the other hand, will take a little longer to get here. According to the rumors, Apple won’t release the third-generation iPhone SE until 2024, which would make sense if Apple’s planning on a two-year upgrade cycle for its affordable iPhone. 

How Much Will the New iPhone SE Cost?

As for the price, we don’t know the exact figures yet, but we could use the current model as an example. The current iPhone SE starts at a price of $399, which would be a reasonable price for next year’s model. 

One leak mentioned that the next iPhone would cost 3,499 yuan, which is almost $550. Even though that price would still make the iPhone SE Apple’s most affordable iPhone, it might be a bit too high for people to be interested in it. 

Still, we’ll have to wait for next year to actually see what Apple brings to the table and how much it will cost. 

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]