If you want to buy the 2022 iPhone SE, do it now

AppleInsider

Ahead of an anticipated powerful new release, inventory of the current iPhone SE is dropping at retail outlets, according to a new report.

The fourth-gen iPhone SE will be based on the iPhone 14, with upgraded internals.

Apple is expected to launch a revamped iPhone SE sometime in the spring of 2025. The new model will offer a new look, likely based on the iPhone 14, with a larger, 6.1-inch screen.

Retail inventory of the current iPhone SE is claimed to be falling fast in some locations, according to Bloomberg. AppleInsider has found that many Apple Stores in cities such as New York and Los Angeles continue to have the current iPhone SE model in stock, but it's no longer available in all stores. AT&T Wireless and Verizon are running incentives on remaining inventory.

The forthcoming revamp is expected to drop the hardware home button in favor of Face ID, and the chip and other internal systems will be beefed up in order to meet at least the minimum specs required to handle Apple Intelligence.

The updated model is also likely to get a much-improved 48-megapixel camera, though it will likely still feature only one camera lens. It may also sport the A18 chip, a possible OLED panel, new color options, and the debut of an Apple-designed 5G modem, according to rumors.

The new device -- currently going by the codename V59 -- may also see a modest price increase to accompany its new design. Currently, the model sells for $429, but rumors suggest that it could be bumped up in price to $499.

iPhone SE transition already underway

The iPhone SE, first introduced in 2018, has previously been replaced with new models on a two-year cycle thus far. The second-generation version debuted in March of 2020, with the current third-gen model appearing in March of 2022.

Despite significant internal upgrades, the iPhone SE will likely retain its single camera.

Two rumor sources have suggested that the next iPhone SE could get a new name: the iPhone 16e. However, as that name would imply that the model will get a yearly refresh, the claims of a name change have now been largely dismissed.

Rumor Score: Likely

Read on AppleInsider

afarstar

Who on earth would buy a 2022 model SE?

jas99

Afarstar said:

Who on earth would buy a 2022 model SE?

You don’t know the situation of everybody else in the world. I personally am not interested, but others may be.

I appreciate a notification like this from AppleInsider.

chasm

Afarstar said:

Who on earth would buy a 2022 model SE?

Potential switchers looking for an inexpensive entry point.

Parents pressured to buy an iPhone for their children who will probably break and/or lose it.

Poor people who want to feel rich.

People who prefer the smaller size (the next iPhone SE will be notably bigger). Related: people who don't get to have as many pockets as men.

Most US service workers, who can't afford a $1000-plus smartphone from any brand.

Yes, most of those people should wait three months and get the new one, but the new one is likely to cost more -- maybe only $70 more, or maybe $170 more. It would still be the cheapest iPhone, but that difference matters to people stuck in a job that pays at or near the US's criminal and stupid minimum wage, which just by-the-by hasn't gone up since ***2007***.

Bottom line: you're not everyman, Afarstar. Expand your horizons.

edited January 19

charlesn

chasm said:

Yes, all those people should wait three months and get the new one, but the new one is likely to cost more -- maybe only $70 more, or maybe $170 more. It would still be the cheapest iPhone, but that difference matters to people stuck in a job that pays at or near the US's criminal and stupid minimum wage, which just by-the-by hasn't gone up since ***2007***.

EXACTLY. That difference would matter A LOT to many, many people in the SE target demo for all the reasons you mention and more. Which is why I don't think we're going to see a 17% price increase to $499 and NFW a whopping 40% increase to $599. Think of all the improvements Apple has made to iPhone and iPhone Pro since the X and 8 were released, improvements for which the costs to design, develop, test and retool have to be amortized over time, and yet it has done this without raising prices (in the U.S., at least) on even its priciest and therefore least price-sensitive model. In fact, when inflation is considered, the price of iPhones has dropped significantly over time. So why would there be a need to slap a 17% increase on the new SE, which will essentially be the fully amortized iPhone 14 tech with a better chip and (if rumors are true) an Apple modem, which should theoretically cut costs over licensing from Qualcomm. It just makes no sense. But we shall see. Maybe Apple will slap its biggest iPhone price increase ever on its most budget-minded buyers. 

edited January 19

chasm

charlesn said:

EXACTLY. That difference would matter A LOT to many, many people in the SE target demo for all the reasons you mention and more. Which is why I don't think we're going to see a 17% price increase to $499 and NFW a whopping 40% increase to $599. Think of all the improvements Apple has made to iPhone and iPhone Pro since the X and 8 were released, improvements for which the costs to design, develop, test and retool have to be amortized over time, and yet it has done this without raising prices (in the U.S., at least) on even its priciest and therefore least price-sensitive model. In fact, when inflation is considered, the price of iPhones has dropped significantly over time. So why would there be a need to slap a 17% increase on the new SE, which will essentially be the fully amortized iPhone 14 tech with a better chip and (if rumors are true) an Apple modem, which should theoretically cut costs over licensing from Qualcomm. It just makes no sense. But we shall see. Maybe Apple will slap its biggest iPhone price increase ever on its most budget-minded buyers. 

Agreed. But then why would anyone buy the iPhone 15 for $699, when the iPhone SE will (probably) Apple Intelligence, and the base iPhone 15 does not?

forumpost

I am writing this on my 2018 iPhone SE. I am going to replace my 2020 SE with 2025 model. Don’t like Touch ID anymore. Always ended up with passcode instead. The new model features, if true, are too interesting  to pass now

charlesn

chasm said:

charlesn said:

EXACTLY. That difference would matter A LOT to many, many people in the SE target demo for all the reasons you mention and more. Which is why I don't think we're going to see a 17% price increase to $499 and NFW a whopping 40% increase to $599. Think of all the improvements Apple has made to iPhone and iPhone Pro since the X and 8 were released, improvements for which the costs to design, develop, test and retool have to be amortized over time, and yet it has done this without raising prices (in the U.S., at least) on even its priciest and therefore least price-sensitive model. In fact, when inflation is considered, the price of iPhones has dropped significantly over time. So why would there be a need to slap a 17% increase on the new SE, which will essentially be the fully amortized iPhone 14 tech with a better chip and (if rumors are true) an Apple modem, which should theoretically cut costs over licensing from Qualcomm. It just makes no sense. But we shall see. Maybe Apple will slap its biggest iPhone price increase ever on its most budget-minded buyers. 

Agreed. But then why would anyone buy the iPhone 15 for $699, when the iPhone SE will (probably) Apple Intelligence, and the base iPhone 15 does not?

Honestly, I'm not sure why anyone buys the iPhone 15 now. Yes, you save $100 vs the 16, but at a cost of 1) No Apple Intelligence ever 2) A chip that's 2 generations ahead in the 16 3) No Action Button 4) No Camera Control 5) No macro photography 6) Reduced resale or trade-in value vs the 16 7) Subjectively, I think the 16 has a beautifully updated design that makes it a much better and more modern looking phone. Considering the rumored feature set for the new SE, I don't know how it makes sense for Apple to keep the iPhone 14 and 15 in the current lineup and I have to think they'll be dropped.

edited January 20

bobolicious

... with soft edges and an ultra slim case I often forget I have an SE 2 in my pocket, and when shooting professionally I can still use my iPhone 7 Zeiss Exolens to take UWA photos I have found sharper than the iPhone 15/16 options I tested ...

edited January 20

lam92103

Afarstar said:

Who on earth would buy a 2022 model SE?

Came here to say the same thing. It is a really bad headline

hreb

> The iPhone SE, first introduced in 2018


First released March 31, 2016