According to a new report, Apple’s first special event of 2022 could be another virtual affair held in March or April. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is expected to announce the next-generation iPhone SE with 5G connectivity at the event.
Next-gen iPhone SE with 5G connectivity to debut at Apple’s first event of 2022
In the last edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman writes that the Cupertino tech giant will likely hold a virtual event in March or April:
Apple gets ready for its first virtual event of 2022. Apple’s first virtual event of 2022 is coming up in just a few short months and is likely to take place in either March or April, I’m told.
What should we expect? Probably a new iPhone SE, at least. It was at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in April 2020 that Apple ushered in the current iPhone SE.
Gurman’s sources say that the rumored iPhone SE 3 with 5G connectivity will be the main focus of the event. He agrees with elements of other reports on the device suggesting the device will retain the appearance of the existing model, but it will come with significant internal upgrades.
According to a previous report from TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the next-generation iPhone SE will have a similar design to the current model with a 4.7-inch LCD panel, unlike high-end iPhones which feature OLED panels. Alongside 5G connectivity, the smartphone will be equipped with the A15 chip which is featured in the iPhone 13 lineup.
According to J.P. Morgan analysts, this phone has the potential to attract “nearly 1.4 billion low-to mid-end Android phones and about 300 million older iPhone model users.” The analysts also estimate a rise in iPhone SE “unit sales to 30 million units and annual iPhone shipments expectations to 250 million units, 10 million higher than a year earlier.”
Other products that could be announced during the event could include Apple Silicon launches, such as a refreshed Mac mini or MacBook Air.
After the spring special event, Gurman says the second major launch event will be June’s WWDC, which will see the announcement of Apple’s operating system updates. However, much to the dismay of fans, Gurman believes there is a “near certainty” it will be held virtually for the third year in a row.
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