The best value iPhone is nearly here, or so we thought.
It’s almost time for the iPhone SE to meet 5G.
It’s a new year and that means it's time to start looking ahead to the new toys from by Apple, Samsung, Google and Microsoft.
First up is Apple, with a spring event rumoured for March/April and the reveal of the next iPhone SE! However, we have some good news and some bad news.
The good news is that we should expect 5G and some spec bumps in the identical design of the 2020 model which of course is the same design the iPhone 6 from of 2014 except with a glass back and hopefully the same price of $399/£379.
Recent reports believe the device will be called iPhone SE+5G which is a mouthful but not unheard of from Apple when it comes to naming things.
Now the kinda bad news, strong leaks and reports have indicated that we should expect a complete redesign in 2023 so that it actually uses the 2018 iPhone XR as the design. This is a huge step up for Apple on the low end market, for too long have we seen the same old tired design from 2014 used on the low end iPhones while Android devices at a similar price point are already coming with OLED edge to edge displays and 5G.
So where does that leave the buyer? An iPhone SE with 5G, 4.7" LED display, touch ID and same small familiar design is great value in 2022 or an iPhone SE with 5G, 6.1" edge to edge display, face ID, superior modern design but a 2023 release, larger device and possible price bump.
Personally, I would wait one more year just because I can’t stand the bezels now and find the dated design very irritating but some of you might not have the luxury of time and need a new device ASAP. Maybe you need a gift for someone or your current phone is on its last legs but either way you’re getting a powerful device that will wipe the floor with any non Apple phone on the market thanks to the A15 chip, the most powerful mobile SoC right now thats rumoured to come with the iPhone SE+5G.
Some other specs we should expect with this years model are the same single 12mp wide camera lens found on the iPhone 12 models, Wi-Fi 6, Dual SIM with eSIM, possible faster wireless charging and a larger battery to deal with the drain from 5G. I don’t think we’ll see any other changes like new colours as that will be saved for next years larger device.
The only other thing I was pondering about were reports haven’t mentioned whether the iPhone SE 2022 will have MagSafe to take advantage of MagSafe accessories that are popping up everywhere now, It’s not vital but it is a nice feature that I use everyday and it’s pretty handy once you get use to it.
I have no doubt the iPhone SE will once again be a huge seller for Apple and IF we get that rumoured redesign next year then the iPhone SE will continue to be their best value device for the foreseeable future and the best option for those that don’t want to drop $1000 on a new phone.
All images are from Apple.
