Apple fans continue to wait for a new version of the second-gen iPhone SE, a hugely popular 4.7in budget handset that replaced the old stalwart iPhone 8 in April 2020. That launch feels a lifetime ago: aside from momentous changes in the world, two full generations of premium handsets – the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 families – have come along since Apple announced the second SE model.
But the wait may be almost over. There are strong indications that the third-gen iPhone SE will launch at a spring event in March or April.
According to the display expert and reliable analyst Ross Young, the name of the new device will be the “iPhone SE+ 5G”, to distinguish it from the current model and advertise one of its most important spec bumps – to fit in with all of the iPhones launched since the last SE came along, the new SE will get support for 5G.
Next SE model is rumored to be called SE+ 5G and will have a 4.7″ LCD. Previously said the next SE model, SE3, would either have a 5.7″ or a 6.1″ display. It is now looking like it will be 5.7″. May be launched in 2023 rather than 2024.
— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) January 17, 2022
Now, this purported branding is potentially confusing, because there has been lots of talk of an iPhone SE Plus – “Plus” specifically, rather than the plus symbol used in Young’s tweet – which would be larger than the current SE model. That’s not what we’re talking about here: Young indicates that the third-gen iPhone SE will have a 4.7in display once again. Indeed, there is every indication that Apple will completely stick with the old design in this year’s model, which means it will be a while longer before there is a change on that front.
The larger 5.7in model, Young says, will have to wait until 2023 at the earliest. Mind you, that’s a more optimistic prediction than we’ve been hearing from other analysts, who believe that the (fourth-gen) iPhone SE Plus will be delayed until 2024.
To clear things up, and to include clarifications from subsequent tweets, here’s Young’s timeframe:
- 2022: iPhone SE+ 5G (3rd gen; 4.7in)
- 2023 or 2024: iPhone SE ‘Plus’ (4th gen; 5.7in)
Other than support for 5G, we can expect the third-gen iPhone SE to offer a more powerful processor (the A14 or A15), although we’re hearing Apple will keep it to 3GB of RAM. Hopefully there will be improved cameras. You can keep up with the latest rumours with our regularly updated new iPhone SE hub.
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This article originally appeared on Macworld Sweden. Translation (using DeepL) and additional reporting by David Price.