Kuo: Next iPhone SE Coming in Early 2022 With 5G and Processor Upgrades

The next-generation version of the iPhone SE won't appear until the first half of 2022, according to a new research note from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

iphonesefront
Early rumors had indicated that a third-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE could appear in the first half of 2021, but later rumors suggested it wouldn't appear until at least the second half of the year if not early in 2022. There have been rumors of a larger "‌iPhone‌ SE Plus" version and possible upgrades like a full-front display with a Touch ID power button rather than a Home button, but Kuo's latest note suggests the new model won't include many obvious changes.

According to Kuo, the new ‌iPhone‌ SE will be very similar to the existing model, with the biggest changes being 5G support and an upgraded processor.

Apple will release the new iPhone SE model in 1H22. The exterior design and most specifications are similar to the existing 4.7-inch iPhone SE. The biggest change is to support 5G and processor upgrades.

The current ‌iPhone‌ SE was introduced in April 2020 and is based strongly on the ‌iPhone‌ 8 but with some upgraded internals like an A13 chip from the ‌iPhone‌ 11 lineup.

Kuo says that he believes that the ‌iPhone‌ user experience will "significantly improve" if Apple were to adopt a ‌Touch ID‌ power button as was previously rumored for the next-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE, but he has "no visibility on the timing" for adoption of the feature.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iOS 26

When Will Apple Release iOS 26.2?

Monday December 1, 2025 4:37 pm PST by
We're getting closer to the launch of the final major iOS update of the year, with Apple set to release iOS 26.2 in December. We've had three betas so far and are expecting a fourth beta or a release candidate this week, so a launch could follow as soon as next week. Past Launch Dates Apple's past iOS x.2 updates from the last few years have all happened right around the middle of the...
ios 18 to ios 26 upgrade

Apple Pushes iPhone Users Still on iOS 18 to Upgrade to iOS 26

Tuesday December 2, 2025 11:09 am PST by
Apple is encouraging iPhone users who are still running iOS 18 to upgrade to iOS 26 by making the iOS 26 software upgrade option more prominent. Since iOS 26 launched in September, it has been displayed as an optional upgrade at the bottom of the Software Update interface in the Settings app. iOS 18 has been the default operating system option, and users running iOS 18 have seen iOS 18...
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
iphone 17 cyber

iPhone 17 Demand Is Breaking Apple's Sales Records

Tuesday December 2, 2025 9:44 am PST by
Apple's iPhone 17 lineup is selling well enough that Apple is on track to ship more than 247.4 million total iPhones in 2025, according to a new report from IDC. Total 2025 shipments are forecast to grow 6.1 percent year over year due to iPhone 17 demand and increased sales in China, a major market for Apple. Overall worldwide smartphone shipments across Android and iOS are forecast to...
iOS 26

Apple Seeds iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 Release Candidates to Developers and Public Beta Testers

Wednesday December 3, 2025 10:33 am PST by
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 updates to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming two weeks after Apple seeded the third betas. The release candidates represent the final versions of iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2 that will be provided to the public if no further bugs are found during this final week of testing....
Touchscreen MacBook Feature

Here Are the Four MacBooks Apple Is Expected to Launch Next Year

Monday December 1, 2025 5:00 am PST by
2026 could be a bumper year for Apple's Mac lineup, with the company expected to announce as many as four separate MacBook launches. Rumors suggest Apple will court both ends of the consumer spectrum, with more affordable options for students and feature-rich premium lines for users that seek the highest specifications from a laptop. Below is a breakdown of what we're expecting over the next ...
Photos App Icon Liquid Glass

John Gruber Shares Scathing Commentary About Apple's Departing Software Design Chief

Thursday December 4, 2025 9:30 am PST by
In a statement shared with Bloomberg on Wednesday, Apple confirmed that its software design chief Alan Dye will be leaving. Apple said Dye will be succeeded by Stephen Lemay, who has been a software designer at the company since 1999. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Dye will lead a new creative studio within the company's AR/VR division Reality Labs. On his blog Daring Fireball,...
iphone air camera

iPhone Air's Resale Value Has Dropped Dramatically, Data Shows

Thursday December 4, 2025 5:27 am PST by
The iPhone Air has recorded the steepest early resale value drop of any iPhone model in years, with new data showing that several configurations have lost almost 50% of their value within ten weeks of launch. According to a ten-week analysis published by SellCell, Apple's latest lineup is showing a pronounced split in resale performance between the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air....
chatgpt logo

Sam Altman Declares 'Code Red' for ChatGPT, Delays OpenAI Advertising Plans

Tuesday December 2, 2025 3:30 pm PST by
OpenAI is deprioritizing work on advertising as it focuses on improving the quality of ChatGPT, reports The Information. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman declared a "code red" on Monday, and told employees that the company needs to improve ChatGPT so it doesn't fall behind competitors like Google and Anthropic. Altman said that OpenAI needs to work on personalization for each user, image generation,...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

iPhone 17 Pro Lost a Camera Feature Pro Models Have Had Since 2020

Thursday December 4, 2025 5:18 am PST by
iPhone 17 Pro models, it turns out, can't take photos in Night mode when Portrait mode is selected in the Camera app – a capability that's been available on Apple's Pro devices since the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020. If you're an iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max owner, try it for yourself: Open the Camera app with Photo selected in the carousel, then cover the rear lenses with your hand to...

Top Rated Comments

Sir_Macs_A_Lot Avatar
62 months ago

I don't get why they need the se anymore they should retire this style and just go with the new models
Some people (like me) are fine with this style if it means getting a new iPhone at ~$500 instead of $1000+.
Plus, I prefer Touch ID to the awkward face thingy.

Come on Apple, please give us that SE Plus this year. We've been good.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Christoffee Avatar
62 months ago
I hope the SE becomes a regular part of the Apple ecosystem lineup, not just an occasional stop gap.

The cheapest iPad could be rebranded SE and then there’s a phone, iPad and watch all catering for the lower end of the market with regular updates.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
npmacuser5 Avatar
62 months ago

I don't get why they need the se anymore they should retire this style and just go with the new models
Offers a quality lower cost proven iPhone. Not to mention some like the smaller footprint.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
apparatchik Avatar
62 months ago

I don't get why they need the se anymore they should retire this style and just go with the new models
Yeah, by 2022 they could simply keep selling the 2020 iPhone Mini at a discount to match the price of the SE.

The 4.7" design looks very dated now, let alone a year from now.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AmazeSE Avatar
62 months ago
Hope they change the design it will be kinda weird in 2022 compared to other all screen phones.
Also please increase the battery size, imagine 5G with a 1821 mah battery. The battery on the current SE with 4G is not that great.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacBH928 Avatar
62 months ago

I don't get why they need the se anymore they should retire this style and just go with the new models

Just like the useless new „iPad“ still using the Apple Pencil 1, this device only exists, to justify the high starting prices of the actual latest devices
No I actually prefer this design.

-I don't have to choose between notch or punch hole
-Full touchID, no FaceID and touch strip that works really bad like on new iPad
-The screen size is manageable over the the iphone 12.something which I can't use one handed
-the colours of the display is more pleasant over the yellowish iphone 12(for me)
-Best part, its actually cheaper in price

I find it ironic that people complain about the "big ugly bezels" but somehow they just don't notice the notch ??
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)