Apple’s long-rumored iPhone SE 3 with 5G connectivity could be announced in late April or early May, according to a new report. It was previously reported that the smartphone could be announced at Apple’s first special event of 2022, a virtual affair likely to be held in March or April.
Production for ‘iPhone SE+ 5G’ set to begin in March
Following his claim that the third-generation iPhone SE will be a minor update with a redesigned model coming in 2023 with a 5.7-inch display, Display Supply Chain Consultants analyst Ross Young now says the phone is entering panel production this month.
Young also claimed that the upcoming iPhone SE will be called “iPhone SE+ 5G,” as it will be the first smartphone in the lineup to feature 5G connectivity. The analyst further expects the device to have a 4.7-inch display, in line with previous reports.
Apple 5G SE model starting panel production this month. Phone production likely from March. This means a launch is likely for 2H April/early May with shipments from late April or early May.
— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) January 19, 2022
Young’s expected launch date can be corroborated by previous reports from TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Taiwanese publisher DigiTimes and research firm TrendForce. All sources have said that the smartphone will arrive in the first half of 2022.
According to previous reports from TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, 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.”
If the Cupertino tech giant announces the third-generation iPhone SE in April or May, a new iPad Air could possibly be unveiled alongside it. The fifth-generation iPad Air’s rumored specs include the A15 Bionic chip, 5G connectivity, and improvements to the front-facing camera, which will be upgraded to a 12MP ultra-wide sensor and feature Center Stage.
Other products that could be announced during the event could include Apple Silicon launches, such as a refreshed Mac mini or MacBook Air.
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