Apple will bring super-speedy 5G connectivity and its latest A15 Bionic chip to iPhone SE in 2022, but fans shouldn’t expect a new design, one report claims.
The new “budget” device is expected to carry the same look it borrows from iPhone 8, with the same 4.7-inch LCD display and a Home button with Touch ID. But it will mean every iPhone in Apple’s lineup features 5G capabilities.
iPhone SE to get 5G next year
It’s been well over a year since Apple last refreshed iPhone SE, leading fans to wonder whether Cupertino was giving up on its most affordable smartphone. But sources in Asia say that a big iPhone SE refresh is planned for early 2022.
“The budget 5G iPhone is set to hit the market as early as the first half of 2022,” reports Nikkei. “It will be powered by Apple’s own A15 processor … and its 5G connectivity will be enabled by Qualcomm’s X60 modem chip.”
“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.”
The report doesn’t mention any other upgrades for iPhone SE, but it’s likely Apple will also make improvements to its cameras. It may also feel the need to extend battery life, with 5G connectivity consuming a lot more power than 4G.
iPhone mini’s days are numbered
Nikkei’s sources also claim that the recently launched iPhone 13 mini will be Apple’s last “mini” model. Cupertino reportedly plans to ditch the 5.4-inch device after it “failed to catch on with consumers.”
“The company has also scaled back production plans for this year’s Mini model compared with last year,” the report adds. It also echoes recent rumors that indicate Apple will add another 6.7-inch iPhone to its lineup next year.
The new device, which will be the same size as iPhone Pro Max, will reportedly drop some features to make it more affordable, in the same way that iPhone 13 is a more affordable alternative to iPhone 13 Pro.
