iPhone SE - page 3

UK government splashes out for 11,000 iPhone SE handsets

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Pandemic iPhone: The 2020 iPhone SE seems perfect for the times.
The 2020 iPhone SE seems perfect for the times.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

The UK government’s Department for Work and Pensions is reportedly buying 11,000 iPhone SE handsets for use by employees.

The report claims that it is paying around (4.1 million British pounds) $5.7 million for the total quantity of 64GB handsets.

Apple offers gift cards of up to $150 in new Black Friday promotion

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Apple Black Friday 2020 promo
Start shopping Friday to bag yours.
Photo: Apple

Apple today unveiled its four-day shopping event that kicks off on Black Friday. The company is offering gift cards of up to $150 when you buy select products, including iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad and Mac.

The event runs through Monday, November 30, but it excludes some of Apple’s newest products — such as iPhone 12 and the new iPad Air.

iPhone SE fans could miss out on early 2021 refresh

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2020-iPhone-SE-lineup-hero
Delayed until 2022?
Photo: Apple

iPhone SE fans hoping for an annual refresh could face disappointment in early 2021. One reliable analyst today reports that Apple has no plans to refresh its budget device during the first half of next year.

Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities indicates that plans for an upgraded iPhone SE have been pushed back while Apple suppliers battle it out to secure orders for next fall’s iPhone 13 instead.

Apple stops bundling chargers and headphones with all iPhones

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An Apple charger and headphones don;t with all its iPhones, no matter when they were released.
This is everything that comes in the box with an iPhone ordered today. There’s no charger or headphones.
Photo: Apple

Apple won’t include a wall charger or a pair of headphones with the upcoming iPhone 12 series. And it doesn’t stop there. The company no longer bundles these accessories with any handset ordered from the Apple Store. Even if they came in the box before.

With iPhone 12, Apple finally ditches its outdated ‘S’ naming. I couldn’t be happier.

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iPhone 12: Say
No sign of an iPhone 11s in sight.
Photo: Apple

There was something big missing from Tuesday’s iPhone 12 event. And, no, I’m not talking about AirTags, AirPods Studio, a new Apple TV, Apple Silicon Macs or live attendees.

The thing that went missing was an “S” at the end of the new iPhones’ names. The demise of the naming convention to indicate alternate-year iPhones marked the end of an era. And it’s totally a good thing.

Report claims only a single iPhone 12 variant will offer fastest 5G

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iPhone 12 might mix iPhone 11 and iPad Pro designs
And only in select markets.
Concept: Ben Geskin

Those who plan to upgrade to iPhone 12 for its 5G connectivity may need to be careful about which variant they choose this fall. A new report claims only one will offer the fastest 5G technology.

While all iPhone 12 units are said to feature Sub-6 5G capabilities, one source claims you’ll need to opt for the largest, most expensive model to also enjoy faster mmWave 5G.

Score an iPhone refurb for as little as $49.99 in Woot’s latest sale

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You can score great iPhone deals right now, including a buy-one, get-one-free offer on the latest iPhone 7.
For one day only!
Photo: Apple

Woot is again offering up bargain iPhone refurbs for buyers on a budget. Prices start at just $49.99 in its latest blowout, while an iPhone 7 can be yours for as little as $149.99.

This sale is good for today only and stock is selling fast. Score your new iPhone before it’s too late!

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Apple manufacturer will start building iPhone 12 and iPhone SE in India

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An iPhone 12 concept video shows off lots of color options.
Apple's leaning more heavily on India.
Photo: Terquosive Labs

Apple manufacturer Wistron will reportedly build iPhone 12 models in India, although production will only begin in mid-2021. These handsets will reportedly be manufactured at the company’s Narsapura plant and be aimed at the local market.

The same report, from Business Standard, says that Wistron will also begin manufacturing the 2020 iPhone SE models by the end of this year.

New iPhone SE hits twin targets: switchers and slowpokes

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This short iPhone SE ad is supposedly intended for use online.
Plenty of people unboxing a 2020 iPhone SE used to be Android users.
Photo: Apple/TheApplePost

The $399 iPhone SE accomplishes two important goals for Apple, according to a market-research firm. It persuades more Android users than usual to switch to iOS. And the entry-level handset also convinces users of older Apple models that it’s time to upgrade.

These were the most popular iPhone models in the US last quarter

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iPhone 11 colors
There's not one clear runaway winner like last year's iPhone XR.
Photo: Apple

Apple no longer reveals the exact breakdown of sales when it comes to its individual iPhone models. But a new report by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners may provide some answers for the quarter ending June 27, 2020.

According to the firm, the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro made up about two-thirds of iPhone sales in the United States. This year, sales were split fairly evenly between the two models. That’s very different to Q2 2019 when the cheaper iPhone XR made up 65% of U.S. iPhone sales.

Insane iPhone sale offers refurbs for as little as $39.99 today only

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iPhone 6s
Quick! They won't last long.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Woot’s insane deals on iPhone refurbs keep on coming, and today’s might just be its best yet. With prices starting at a mere $39.99, there’s never been a better time to pick up a backup — or treat your kid to their first phone.

The only downside to this sale is that it’s good for one day only, and stock is selling quickly. Act fast or miss out!

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Snag an original iPhone SE for under $90 today only

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iPhone SE
What a steal!
Photo: Sam Mills/Cult of Mac

Apple’s newest iPhone SE is a big (literally) disappointment to those who still have a thing for 4-inch screens. But no one is forcing you to go large. Instead, why not pick up an original iPhone SE for as little as $89.99?

Be quick — this sale is good for today only!

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

iPhone SE uses software trick to give photos beautiful bokeh

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The iPhone SE bokeh effect is do we entirely with software.
The iPhone SE can take a 2D image and make it into a Portrait Mode picture with the bokeh effect.
Photo: Apple

The 2020 iPhone SE is the first Apple smartphone to offer Portrait Mode photos created entirely with software techniques rather than hardware. That’s not true of any previous iOS device, not even the one you think it is.

Lux Optics, maker of Halide, examined how Apple’s new budget phone adds the bokeh effect to 2D pictures.

Haptic Touch goes missing on new iPhone SE notifications

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haptic.touch_.image_.jpg
Haptic Touch notifications aren't working - sort of - on the new iPhone SE.
Photo: Brad Gibson / Cult of Mac

Since receiving their new 2020 iPhone SE mobile phones on Friday, customers have been reporting the inability to press on notifications in the Notification Center and to select various shortcuts and commands, better known as Haptic Touch. From all indications, it appears the specific inability is deliberate on the new device.

No pet detection on iPhone SE Portrait Mode? These apps will help

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iPhone SE pet photos: With Halide Camera and Spectre, you can bokeh everyone in your household, human or otherwise.
Now you can bokeh everyone in your household, human or otherwise.
Photo: Halide

The iPhone SE does a great job of taking the body of the iPhone 8 and infusing it with some of iPhone 11’s cutting-edge tech. But not every feature carried across to Apple’s new budget phone. For instance, the iPhone SE lacks the ability to take Portrait photos of pets.

That’s somewhat confusing, since iPhone SE’s Portrait mode works impressively. Fortunately, updates to a pair of highly rated apps will let iPhone SE owners take Portrait photos of nonhumans for just a few bucks.

Lots of iPhone SE components are swappable with iPhone 8 — but not all

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2020-iPhone-SE-lineup-hero
Well, that should make repairs a bit cheaper.
Photo: Apple

A 2020 iPhone SE teardown shows just how similar the new phone is to the iPhone 8. Many — but not all — components of the new handset are totally swappable with the 2017 iPhone, according to a weekend report from iFixit.

The iPhone SE’s cameras, SIM tray, Taptic Engine and display assembly can be directly swapped out with the iPhone 8. However, not all parts are so switchable. The iPhone SE’s battery might look the same, but it won’t work on the earlier iPhone due to a different logic board connector.

iPhone SE comes in hot! [Cult of Mac Magazine 346]

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Good reviews (and giddy owners) greet Apple's budget iPhone SE.
Good reviews (and giddy owners) greet Apple's new budget iPhone.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

The reviews are in: The 2020 iPhone SE is a wallet-friendly speed machine with features that make it totally tempting. You can almost hear new owners squealing with delight as their preorders arrive.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 12 faces delays due to the worldwide COVID-19 shutdown. Get those stories and more in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download the app now for a smooth read on your iOS device of choice. Or hit the links below for the week’s top Apple news, reviews and how-tos.

Sorry! Order an iPhone SE today and you’ll wait till mid-May

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The iPhone SE backordered around the world.
You can’t buy an iPhone SE from the German Apple Store without a lengthy wait. Or in the U.S., the U.K, and many more countries.
Screenshot: Apple

Those who pre-ordered an iPhone SE last week started receiving their handsets today, but Apple sold out of its supply. Orders placed Friday for this $399 handset won’t arrive for over two weeks.

The latest iOS handset is backordered in the U.S. and in countries around the world.

First iPhone SE reviews: Victory in value

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2020-iPhone-SE-lineup-hero
It might even make you miss the Home button.
Photo: Apple

The iPhone SE, with its iPhone 8 form factor, proves that you can teach an old dog new tricks. With the first reviews for the new handset having hit the internet, pundits are in agreement that, well, the iPhone SE is pretty darn great.

In fact, if Apple’s made any kind of misstep it may have been showing us that you can get a pretty amazing iPhone for the price of a mid-level handset. Here’s what the initial reviewers are saying:

Kuo: 5G iPhone delayed until October; iPhone SE Plus pushed back until late 2021

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iPhone 12 with LiDAR scanner
The 5G iPhone allegedly won‘t be out quite as soon as many might hope.
Photo: svetapple.sk

The first iPhone with 5G reportedly won’t debut alongside the other new iOS handsets early this autumn. Trusted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts Apple will begin producing a pair of 4G handsets in September, but won’t start making the 5G model until October.

Kuo also says an iPhone SE Plus with a larger screen than the current one might come out far later than he originally thought.