What you need to know
- A new report reiterates Apple's plan for a new iPhone SE coming next year.
- Nikkei Asia says that it will feature 5G and Apple's A15 processor.
- However, it also states Apple is not planning to change the phone's design.
A new report says that Apple's rumored iPhone SE, slated for 2022, will feature 5G and the same A15 processor from the iPhone 13, but no update to the design.
An extensive new report from Nikkei Asia regarding several upcoming Apple products says that the next iPhone SE will mark the end of Apple's 4G-only phone offerings, adding superfast 5G connectivity for improved browsing and download speeds.
Nikkei says that according to sources familiar with the matter Apple won't release any more 4G models next year, but will add 5G to its budget iPhone.
The report claims the new 5G iPhone SE will be released "as early as the first half of 2022", and will also feature Qualcomm's X60 modem chip, again for improved wireless connectivity.
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like the iPhone SE (2022) will feature a new design of any kind, Nikkei saying it will again look like an iPhone 8, there are also apparently no plans to improve the phone's display:
Like previous SE models, Apple's budget 5G iPhone will look like a refreshed version of the iPhone 8 and have a 4.7-inch liquid crystal diode (LCD) display, rather than the more advanced organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, according to four people familiar with the plans. Apple used only OLED screens for its first 5G range, the iPhone 12, released last year.
That might be a tough pill for some to swallow, but the continued use of LCD and recycling the design of the iPhone 8 is much of what allows Apple to keep the iPhone SE's cost down, making it the best iPhone for anyone on a tight budget.
If you can't wait until next year for a new iPhone SE, it's the cheapest iPhone available right now in our roundup of the best iPhone deals currently available.
Verizon's best deal offers the iPhone SE for $0 monthly after $399.99 promo credit is applied over 24 months meaning the phone is effectively free with a new line on Unlimited. It is also discounting online activation fees by 50% currently and offering $150 off an Apple Watch with an iPhone purchase.
