Nikkei: 2022 iPhone SE to Feature A15 Chip, 5G, and 4.7-Inch Display

The next version of Apple's budget iPhone SE could arrive in the first half of 2022 and look very similar to the current design that's based on the ‌iPhone‌ 8, according to a new report from Nikkei Asia. The main upgrades in the new model will be Apple's A15 chip that will appear first in the 2021 flagship ‌iPhone‌ 13 lineup, as well as 5G support provided by Qualcomm's X60 modem chip.

iphone se 2020 red
Just yesterday, a report from DigiTimes claimed that the 2022 ‌iPhone‌ SE will include an A14 chip rather than the A15 chip Nikkei is claiming.

With the next ‌iPhone‌ SE remaining similar in design to the current model, it will retain a 4.7-inch LCD rather than shifting to a larger LCD or an OLED display. The report doesn't specifically address whether the new model will include a Home button, but the consistent design suggests that a Touch ID Home button will be included on the new model.

The budget 5G iPhone is set to hit the market as early as the first half of 2022, sources briefed on the matter said. It will be powered by Apple's own A15 processor -- the same chip that will go into this year's premium iPhones -- and its 5G connectivity will be enabled by Qualcomm's X60 modem chip, they added.

The report also corroborates other recent claims that the 2022 flagship ‌iPhone‌ lineup will not include a 5.4-inch "mini" model, as sales of the iPhone 12 mini have proven disappointing. Instead, Apple will introduce a second 6.7-inch model, apparently yielding two "‌iPhone‌ 14" and two "‌iPhone‌ 14 Pro" models, each in 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch sizes.

"It is pretty much decided that there won't be a Mini next year, and there will be a relatively cost-effective version of the largest iPhone Pro Max instead. However, the designs for the detailed specifications for the four new models next year are not yet locked in," one of the people with direct knowledge of the matter told Nikkei Asia.

Nikkei Asia says this year's ‌iPhone‌ 13 lineup should begin mass production next month, with Apple set to produce as many as 95 million units through the end of January. Overall, Apple is expected to produce 230 million iPhones in 2021, an 11% increase compared to 2020.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iOS 18

Here Are Apple's Full iOS 18.5 Release Notes

Tuesday May 6, 2025 2:17 pm PDT by
Apple today seeded the release candidate version of iOS 18.5 to developers and public beta testers, giving us a look at the final version of the update that will be provided to the public next week. With the release candidate, Apple provided release notes, so we have a more complete look at the new features that are included in the update, including those that weren't found during the beta...
siri glow

iPhone Users Now Able to Submit Claims in $95 Million Siri Spying Lawsuit

Wednesday May 7, 2025 11:40 am PDT by
If you owned a Siri-compatible device and had an accidental Siri activation between September 17, 2014 and December 31, 2024, you could be eligible for a payment from Apple as part of a class action lawsuit settlement. Apple in January agreed to pay $95 million to settle a class action lawsuit involving Siri spying accusations, and a website to distribute the funds has now been set up and...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17: What's New With the Cameras

Friday May 2, 2025 3:52 pm PDT by
We've still got months to go before the new iPhone 17 models come out, but a combination of dummy models and leaks have given us some insight into what we can expect in terms of camera changes. Apple is adding new camera features, and changing the design of the camera bump for some models. You might be skeptical of dummy models, but over the years, they've proven to be a highly accurate...
iOS 18

Apple Says iOS 18.5 Coming Soon, Here is What's New

Monday May 5, 2025 8:19 am PDT by
In its press release for the new Pride Band today, Apple said that iOS 18.5 is "upcoming," following more than a month of beta testing. We expect the iOS 18.5 Release Candidate to be released this week, and this should be the final beta version, barring any last-minute bugs or changes. The software update should then be released to the general public next week. iOS 18.5 is a relatively...
Nineth iOS 19 Feature

iOS 19 Beta is a Month Away With These New Features for Your iPhone

Thursday May 8, 2025 7:37 am PDT by
The first iOS 19 beta is just one month away, and there are already many new features and changes that are expected with it. Apple should seed the first iOS 19 beta to developers immediately following the WWDC 2025 keynote, which is scheduled for Monday, June 9. Following beta testing, the update should be released to the general public in September. Below, we recap the key iOS 19 rumors...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Homescreen

Foldable iPhone Said to Have Two Key Advantages

Monday May 5, 2025 6:41 am PDT by
Apple plans to release its first foldable iPhone next year, according to several reporters and analysts who cover the company. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the foldable iPhone will offer two key advantages over other foldable smartphones. First, he said the foldable iPhone will have a "nearly invisible" crease when unfolded. This means the device's...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Homescreen

Apple's Foldable iPhone Display Tech May Set New Industry Standard

Thursday May 8, 2025 3:29 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone will feature a new type of display panel developed by Samsung that has never been used in a foldable product, claims a source with links to Apple's supply chain. According to the account yeux1122 on the Korean Naver blog, the foldable iPhone will use a custom display process for which Apple will hold branding trademark rights, and that meets Apple's stringent ...
AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:30 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...

Top Rated Comments

macintoshmac Avatar
50 months ago
It should use the mini chassis now.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ian87w Avatar
50 months ago
Using A15 is a no brainer. Apple will use the same chipset as the latest iPhone on every SE generations (A9, A13). The big question is the form factor. The 2021 SE form factor's biggest issue is the tiny battery, which is not sufficient even today for smartphone use, let alone adding 5G.

Of course, Apple can simply add magsafe support on it, to nudge people to spend more money and buy the also tiny battery pack.... Wouldn't surprise me a bit. :D
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Justin Cymbal Avatar
50 months ago
I bought both of my parents the basic $399 iPhone SE when it first came out - plan on getting this iPhone in 2022 for them as gifts

I hope Apple keeps the $399 starting price and maybe increases the storage on their base model SE - it really is a great iPhone
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nickawhite Avatar
50 months ago
No doubt a great phone...just wish they'd retire the 2014 look and consolidate their design cues - all edge-to-edge screens, Face ID, and flat edges. Would much prefer to see a cheaper Mini transitioned into the SE slot.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lolOwO Avatar
50 months ago
"waaah such an old design waaaah"

No doubt a great phone...just wish they'd retire the 2014 look and consolidate their design cues - all edge-to-edge screens, Face ID, and flat edges. Would much prefer to see a cheaper Mini transitioned into the SE slot.
the old design is why it will be $400.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
50 months ago
Looks like this will be the last year for the mini before it gets discontinued. This year will determine if Mini will be saved by the consumers or not.

4.7 will sell like hot cakes.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)