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

iphone 17 models

No iPhone 18 Launch This Year, Reports Suggest

Thursday January 1, 2026 8:43 am PST by
Apple is not expected to release a standard iPhone 18 model this year, according to a growing number of reports that suggest the company is planning a significant change to its long-standing annual iPhone launch cycle. Despite the immense success of the iPhone 17 in 2025, the iPhone 18 is not expected to arrive until the spring of 2027, leaving the iPhone 17 in the lineup as the latest...
duolingo ad live activity

Duolingo Used iPhone's Dynamic Island to Display Ads, Violating Apple Design Guidelines

Friday January 2, 2026 1:36 pm PST by
Language learning app Duolingo has apparently been using the iPhone's Live Activity feature to display ads on the Lock Screen and the Dynamic Island, which violates Apple's design guidelines. According to multiple reports on Reddit, the Duolingo app has been displaying an ad for a "Super offer," which is Duolingo's paid subscription option. Apple's guidelines for Live Activity state that...
Clicks Communicator Feature

'Clicks Communicator' Unveiled — Will You Carry This With Your iPhone?

Friday January 2, 2026 6:35 am PST by
The company behind the BlackBerry-like Clicks Keyboard accessory for the iPhone today unveiled a new Android 16 smartphone called the Clicks Communicator. The purpose-built device is designed to be used as a second phone alongside your iPhone, with the intended focus being communication over content consumption. It runs a custom Android launcher that offers a curated selection of messaging...
Low Cost MacBook Feature A18 Pro

Low-Price 12.9-Inch MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Reportedly Launching Early This Year

Friday January 2, 2026 9:08 am PST by
Apple plans to introduce a 12.9-inch MacBook in spring 2026, according to TrendForce. In a press release this week, the Taiwanese research firm said this MacBook will be aimed at the entry-level to mid-range market, with "competitive pricing." TrendForce did not share any further details about this MacBook, but the information that it shared lines up with several rumors about a more...
Apple Fitness Plus hero

Apple Announces New Fitness+ Workout Programs, Strava Challenge, and More

Friday January 2, 2026 6:43 am PST by
Apple today announced a number of updates to Apple Fitness+ and activity with the Apple Watch. The key announcements include: New Year limited-edition award: Users can win the award by closing all three Activity Rings for seven days in a row in January. "Quit Quitting" Strava challenge: Available in Strava throughout January, users who log 12 workouts anytime in the month will win an ...
Low Cost A18 Pro MacBook Feature Pink

Apple's 2026 Low-Cost A18 Pro MacBook: What We Know So Far

Friday January 2, 2026 4:33 pm PST by
Apple is planning to release a low-cost MacBook in 2026, which will apparently compete with more affordable Chromebooks and Windows PCs. Apple's most affordable Mac right now is the $999 MacBook Air, and the upcoming low-cost MacBook is expected to be cheaper. Here's what we know about the low-cost MacBook so far. Size Rumors suggest the low-cost MacBook will have a display that's around 13 ...
Mac Pro Feature Blue

What's Happening With the Mac Pro?

Wednesday December 31, 2025 9:59 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Mac Pro since 2023, and according to recent rumors, there's no update coming in the near future. In fact, Apple might be finished with the Mac Pro. Bloomberg recently said that the Mac Pro is "on the back burner" and has been "largely written off" by Apple. Apple apparently views the more compact Mac Studio as the ideal high-end pro-level desktop, and it has almost...

Top Rated Comments

Sir_Macs_A_Lot Avatar
63 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
63 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
63 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
63 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
63 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
63 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)