Apple Reportedly Cutting iPhone SE Production Just Weeks After Launch Due to 'Weaker-Than-Expected' Demand

Apple is reportedly cutting production for the new third-generation iPhone SE just weeks after launch due to uncertainty caused by current global conflict and alleged low demand, according to a report from Nikkei Asia citing unnamed sources.

iPhone SE 3 stacked
According to the report, Apple has informed suppliers to cut back on production of the ‌iPhone SE‌ for this quarter by as much as two to three million units, citing "weaker-than-expected demand."

Unlike the cut in ‌iPhone SE‌ production caused partly by low demand, Apple is also cutting down on the production of the iPhone 13 series, but sources familiar with the matter told Nikkei Asia this cutback is due to seasonal demand change. Per the report, Apple is also cutting the production of AirPods but fails to specify which model or models.

Coinciding with the report, reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today in a tweet that he is cutting estimates on shipments of the new ‌iPhone SE‌ from 25 to 30 million to around 15 to 20 million units for 2022. Kuo said the lower shipments were a result of low demand.


Apple released the new ‌iPhone SE‌ earlier this month with the same 4.7-inch form factor as the previous model but with the addition of 5G. The new ‌iPhone SE‌ is the only ‌iPhone‌ in the lineup that still features a physical Home Button and Touch ID but now benefits from the faster and more energy-efficient A15 Bionic chip. The ‌iPhone SE‌ starts at $429 with 64GB of storage.

See our roundup to learn everything you need to about Apple's latest ‌iPhone‌.

Update: Two Apple suppliers responsible for AirPods have refuted Nikkei Asia's report that production has been cut, according to posts shared on Twitter by analyst Ming-Chu Kuo.

Related Roundup: iPhone SE
Tag: Nikkei
Buyer's Guide: iPhone SE (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

Fried_Gold Avatar
38 months ago
Surprise surprise not many people want an iPhone 8 design in 2022.
Score: 96 Votes (Like | Disagree)
berrymetal Avatar
38 months ago
I get the whole "I just need a smaller iPhone" crowd, but I think it's foolish on Apple to count on that small audience without at least having a design refresh. Totally expected
Score: 72 Votes (Like | Disagree)
123 Avatar
38 months ago
Maybe that ten year old design doesn't cut it anymore when every cheap China device looks way more modern and costs a fraction of the price.
Score: 52 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DragonSky Avatar
38 months ago
Upgraded from a SE1 to the new SE. Love the thing. Good battery life. Useful size and the camera is pretty good. Ok the cost was a little higher than I would like but it’s doing what I need. Happy.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Danfango Avatar
38 months ago
Market insight failure.

If you want a crap phone, you probably don't want that crap phone because it's too expensive. If you wan't a good phone, that's not it. If you want an Apple crap phone, you're probably just going to buy a 13 on contract and pay monthly and not have a crap phone.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jeffpeng Avatar
38 months ago

Surprise surprise not many people want an iPhone 8 design in 2022.
I do. And my SE 2020 is still fine. ?

I guess the actual problem is that most people this phone is for already have the SE2020. And there is no good reason to upgrade now again. Plus those folks, me included, keep the damn thing until it can’t do something important anymore or just breaks. Not gonna happen in 2 years. That why I was kinda surprised they even bothered to upgrade it. Especially since the A13 is 7nm, and that is dirt cheap as of now - so cheap they put it in a display just to drive the webcam and speakers.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)