A new insider has appeared on the Chinese social network Weibo, who claims that the third generation iPhone SE will be released in the design of the iPhone XR. This means that Apple will take the old chassis, shovel everything inside, install the A15 Bionic there and make it almost the most desirable smartphone in the world.
This “leak” is at odds with previously reported information that the third SE will be exactly the same in appearance as the second, but only with a new system-on-a-chip and 5G.
Let's assume the new informant actually turns out to be right. But what will this decision lead to from Apple?
Now the line of iPhones looks pretty harmonious:
- Second-generation iPhone SE, which starts at $399;
- iPhone 11 starting at $499;
- iPhone 12 mini starting at $599;
- iPhone 12 starting at $699;
- iPhone 13 mini also starting at $699;
- iPhone 13 starting at $799;
- iPhone 13 Pro starting at $999;
- iPhone 13 Pro Max starting at $1099.
All prices exclude state taxes.
Let me digress a little: in my opinion, the company needs to do something with the iPhone 12 and 13 mini - the same price introduces confusion in the minds of buyers who need to choose between a small 128 GB iPhone and a relatively large 64 GB iPhone. The choice is very difficult and not at all in the spirit of Apple. I couldn't say which is better.
Information about the original iPhone SE
The new model will be a continuation of the popular Apple product - iPhone SE, which was released in 2016.
The original smartphone received technical characteristics:
- display resolution 1136 by 640 pixels with a size of 4 inches;
- Apple A9 processor - the same one installed in the iPhone 6S;
- 2 GB RAM, built-in storage for 16 GB of information;
- the main camera is 12 MP, the resolution of the front lens is 1.2 MP;
- The battery capacity is 1,642 mAh.
Note! Initially, iPhone SE 2016 did not support additional memory cards.
iPhone SE combines the characteristics of the iPhone 5S and iPhone 6S. That is why the phone has become a people's favorite. At the start of sales, the device cost $600, which deprived many people of the opportunity to purchase. However, over time, the price of the device began to fall, and sales began to grow.
A distinctive feature of the iPhone SE is its compactness compared to other Apple smartphones. The phone fits in your pocket and is easy to use.
This is the best size for me
Its size is perfect. I have small hands and it’s not convenient for me to use large smartphones. It fits easily in the palm of your hand and can be used with only one hand.
I like to walk and travel a lot, and its compact size is perfect for this purpose. It's even more convenient to carry in your pockets.
It easily fits into a small women's handbag and outerwear pocket. And at the same time it is very light and does not stick out.
I really like that it is made of aluminum and is comfortable to hold in your hand. It never slips and feels nice on the skin.
Absolutely love the rose gold color, it combines passion and joy for me. When I look at him I get aesthetic pleasure.
New iPhone SE 2
In 2022, Apple released the next generation of the legendary 2016 smartphone. However, users' expectations were not met. Essentially, this is an analogue of the iPhone 8 with a more powerful processor and a changed appearance. In addition, the price of the smartphone has exceeded 500 euros, and there are almost no advantages over the 2016 device.
The second generation iPhone SE has the following characteristics:
- six-core Apple A13 Bionic processor, Apple M13 coprocessor, which has a barometer, gyroscope, accelerometer and compass;
- display with a resolution of 1334 by 750 pixels and a size of 4.7 inches;
- RAM 2.88 GB;
- several internal memory options: 64 GB, 128 GB or 256 GB;
- NFC module and fingerprint scanner;
- The resolution of the main camera is 12 MP, and the front one is 7 MP.
The main lens shoots video in 4K resolution at 60 FPS. The front camera has been reduced to 1080p and 30 frames per second.
Wherever I was with him. survived everything
The smartphone was with me in the tent on the sandy beach and in the mountains. I even went on a couple of hikes through the forest. When traveling I wore it mostly in a case, but for the last six months I have been going without a case or even glass.
There are small chips, but they are not particularly noticeable. In the upper corner, the plastic layer between the body and the glass has come off.
Scratches are mainly on the back of the case from sand. The phone fell often, but the glass never broke.
Known information about iPhone SE 3
Apple has planned to release the smartphone in 2022. However, there are already a lot of rumors about the phone circulating on the Internet.
iPhone SE 2 has become a controversial smartphone and brought a lot of controversy. Fans were especially unhappy with the cost of the new device.
It is known that the iPhone SE 3 will be an analogue of the iPhone 8 Plus, and the price is significantly lower. This circumstance cannot but please Apple fans. Now let's go over the main nuances of the iPhone SE 3.
Important! At the start of sales, as Apple says, the new gadget will cost 39,990 rubles in Russia. In the US, the price tag for the device will drop to $400.
Appearance
The smartphone will receive a more modern design. The device is equipped with a fingerprint scanner, which is built into the side power button.
This kind of solution is not new for Apple. The scanner in the power button is located on many tablets released by the company. This is convenient and does not create problems for users.
The screen frames on the iPhone SE 3 will be slightly smaller than those on the iPhone SE 2. However, Apple decided to leave the design of the front camera in the form of a “bang”. Otherwise, smartphones should not differ in appearance, and an inexperienced iPhone user will not see the differences when picking up the models.
Specifications
The parameters of the new iPhone SE 3 are the main question for fans of this iPhone series. Based on the available information leaks, we can assume the following characteristics:
- 4.7-inch IPS matrix with excellent viewing angles. The quality of the display and its resolution will most likely not differ from the previous generation of the SE smartphone;
- the processor is the new Apple A15, which is more productive and energy efficient than the Apple A13 installed in the iPhone SE 2. This will increase the battery life of the mobile phone;
- support for 5G networks will provide users with high data transfer over the network. The technology is not needed by average users and will negatively affect the cost;
- The cameras in the iPhone SE 3 will remain almost unchanged. Face ID technology will not be available in the third generation phone. The resolution of the main lens of SE 3 will be 13 MP, and the front one will be 8 MP. Optical image stabilization will appear, which will reduce video blur;
- The battery capacity will be 2,600 mAh, which will allow you to use the device without recharging for up to two days thanks to good optimization.
Additional Information. Apple iPhone SE 3 will be released in red, black and white colors. Perhaps they will add turquoise and golden shades.
64 GB memory is not enough
I have a 64 GB version, enough for 10,000 photos and about 30 applications. I like to record videos from nature, some calm landscape for a couple of minutes.
The phone worked properly and quickly until the memory was full. When there was less than 2 GB left, the smartphone began to slow down and freeze.
The situation was corrected by cleaning up unused applications and unnecessary videos. I will take my next smartphone with at least 128 GB.
The latest on iPhone SE Plus
Less is known about this gadget than about the iPhone SE 3. However, user interest in the model with the Plus prefix does not subside. According to available information, the smartphone will be a redesigned version of the iPhone 11. The exact release date of the device is still unknown - the release will take place in the spring of 2023.
An Apple Lab insider posted information about the model on the Internet, which caused a great stir among fans of the iPhone SE series. In his opinion, the information is reliable and will not change before the release.
Appearance
The design of the iPhone SE Plus will undergo some changes. On the back side of the body there will not be a double camera block, like the SE 3. The frames will become even smaller, the screen will become almost frameless. Face ID technology will appear, and the front camera unit is designed in the form of a “bang”.
It is expected that the cost of the iPhone SE Plus is lower than the iPhone 10r at the start of sales, and the smartphones should be equal in performance. SE Plus cannot be called a compact device. This circumstance follows from the presented characteristics.
Technical specifications
This is the main part of the review. If you believe information from an Apple Lab insider, the iPhone SE Plus will receive the following characteristics:
- display size 6.1 inches. The IPS matrix type will be used. Some sources provide information about a 5.4-inch display. There is no information about screen resolution yet;
- processor - Apple A14, made using a 5-nanometer process technology;
- The main lens of the phone has a resolution of 12 MP, and the front one is 7 MP. The quality of the sensors is higher than that of SE 2 and SE 3, there are additional shooting modes;
- 4 GB RAM. The internal storage has several options: 64, 128 or 256 GB. There is still no slot for an additional memory card, but you can install two micro SIM cards;
- fingerprint scanner in the Home button. Here the information differs. According to some reports, it is built into the screen or into the power button of the mobile phone on the side. The second option is preferable; it does not cause problems for users. Modern USB-Type C charging connector;
- The cost of SE Plus in Russia will be 499 $ or 589 euros.
The new iPhone SE Plus should replace the iPhone 10r, which is still sold in all official stores in Russia and is receiving updates.
According to some information, the iPhone SE Plus will be released in the summer of 2021. However, the opinion is controversial - this is not typical for Apple. Most likely, the device will be released no earlier than 2023.
Note! iPhone SE Plus should come with iOS 15, which will be released in 2022. All Apple phones sold in official stores will be able to update to this system.
As for the iPhone SE, 6, 6S, these smartphones do not receive updates, and it is no longer practical to use them in 2022.
Advantages and disadvantages of iPhone SE Plus
It is more convenient to arrange the data in the form of a small table for clarity:
| Advantages | Flaws |
| High performance, powerful Apple A14 processor, which is also installed in the iPhone 12. | Location of the fingerprint scanner in the Home button. This is not very convenient; the user will confuse the combinations of keystrokes. |
| A large amount of RAM will allow you to quickly complete any task. | Various information about the technical characteristics of the mobile phone. There are many assumptions that cannot be considered reliable. |
| Large display with good color reproduction and wide viewing angles. | There are few differences from the iPhone 11: it is not advisable to switch from version 11 to the iPhone SE Plus, it will reduce sales. |
| Average expected cost at the start of sales. | There is no installation of an additional card to expand the internal memory. |
| High resolution front lens for high quality photos. Additional shooting modes. | There is no additional lens at the back - a dual camera module. This will reduce the quality of shooting with the main camera. |
| High level of autonomy due to good device optimization. | Lack of compactness of the SE series. |
The display is a little small, but I'm delighted
A 4-inch screen is not small for me; it’s comfortable for me to watch YouTube, movies and write notes from the iPhone. Of course, for serious text or working with Word it is not particularly convenient.
In the Instagram feed, sometimes only one photo of a post fits on the screen, and the description no longer fits.
The brightness and contrast of the display is enough for me. In the south, in the bright afternoon sun, it is not difficult to read something from the screen or navigate on the map.
What to choose: iPhone SE 2, iPhone SE 3 or iPhone SE Plus
Currently, only the iPhone SE 2 is on sale, so the choice is clear. However, buying SE 2 in 2022 is not the best decision. The smartphone is outdated and is not much different from the original SE of 2016. The purchase would make sense in 2022, when users were waiting for SE 2.
Now it’s better to buy a slightly more expensive iPhone 10 r or wait for the improved version of the iPhone SE 3.
You will have to wait for the release of the iPhone SE Plus for two years. During this time, Apple will introduce the iPhone 13. Currently, little is known about the SE Plus. The exact release date of the smartphone is not specified, we can only speculate.
iPhone SE 3 is the best option among the models under consideration, but the model will have to wait for its release.
The article provides up-to-date information about the iPhone SE 3 and iPhone SE Plus, which are scheduled for release in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Mobile phone catalogue, compare prices and read reviews
Positioning
According to a new source, the third generation iPhone SE will be sold at approximately the same price as the current SE:
- RMB 3,299 ($399 in the US) for 64 GB;
- RMB 3,799 ($449 in the US) for 128 GB;
- 4599 yuan for 256 GB (model no longer sold).
This means that the starting price in the US will be the same $399. Question: if you have a cool iPhone for 400 bucks, why buy the iPhone 11, iPhone 12 and even iPhone 13? This is not even intraspecific competition, this is a global takeover of five different iPhones at once, including mini versions.
Therefore, I highly doubt that its price will be similar to the second generation iPhone SE. That is, such an iPhone will not cost from $399, no matter what the newly minted informant says.
If you set the price at $499, intraspecific competition will appear: buyers will begin to think that it is better to choose a new iPhone with one camera of not the best quality or almost the same iPhone, but with an inferior ultra-wide camera and slightly older hardware.
Marketers will also need to think about which of these iPhones will be cheaper: the third-generation SE or the 11?
iPhone 11 and iPhone XR. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
I thought I had normal volume until I heard the iPhone 12 Pro Max
I listen to music from my iPhone, the sound is good and clear. There is bass.
But if I take a shower and turn on music, it’s difficult to hear anything other than the sound of water. When my neighbor, the owner of an iPhone 12 Pro Max, is in the shower, music can be heard throughout the apartment.
The volume is enough to listen to music in a room, but not enough for use in a big city. I never hear the bell on the subway.
