Before Upgrade - iPhone SE 2022
Photo by Thai Nguyen on Unsplash
Little Outlier
In a world of ever-expanding smartphone screens and increasingly complex features the iPhone SE 2022 (or iPhone SE 3) arrived as an outlier. In 2022 Apple shipped the new version of its budget-friendly iPhone sticking with a familiar “classic” design but upgraded internals making a performance demon in a small shell.
The rumor landscape surrounding the iPhone SE 2022 was a mixed bag of predictions, hopes, and educated guesses. Some rumors suggested a significant redesign, potentially adopting a more modern look with smaller bezels and no home button, similar to the iPhone XR or iPhone 11. Others predicted a continuation of the iPhone 8-like design, which was very familiar to those wanting to upgrade from older Apple devices. The most obvious - nearly consensus expectations were about a processor and an inclusion of 5G connectivity.
Best of iPhone SE 2022
Apple officially unveiled the latest iPhone SE model on March 8th, 2022. The announcement focused on a few key messages:
A15 Bionic Performance: This was the headline feature. Apple emphasized that the A15 Bionic chip brought a massive performance leap to the iPhone SE, making it significantly faster than the previous generation and comparable to their flagship phones in terms of processing power, which could deliver advanced camera features like Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, and Deep Fusion as well as the overall better performance in gaming and augmented reality (AR).
5G Connectivity: Apple highlighted the inclusion of 5G enabling faster download and upload speeds, improved streaming quality and lower latency for online gaming.
Exceptional Value: Apple positioned the iPhone SE 2022 as the most affordable way to get the latest iPhone technology. They stressed the combination of powerful performance and a lower price point, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers and those looking to upgrade from older iPhones. Apple also emphasized the benefits of being part of the Apple ecosystem, including access to the App Store, seamless integration with other Apple devices, and strong privacy features.
In short, Apple's message was clear: the iPhone SE 2022 offered flagship-level performance (detailed specifications - at GSM Arena) at an affordable price in a familiar, durable design with the added benefits of 5G connectivity and the benefits of the whole Apple ecosystem.
Media Reviews
The media reviews mainly repeated Apple's message about the iPhone SE 2022 being a performance powerhouse at an affordable price:
NYT: The latest iPhone SE has a bright screen, a zippy processor, a quality camera and robust battery life. It makes phone calls, too. Yet for most of us, that won’t be enough.
MacRumors: The 2022 iPhone SE is $30 more expensive than the prior-generation version, but it is still Apple's most affordable iPhone with a modern A15 chip and 5G. There have been no design changes to the iPhone SE, and the 2022 model looks identical to the 2020 model, which was in turn based on the iPhone 8.
TechRadar: The iPhone SE (2022) is faster and better-connected than its predecessor, and at the most attractive price currently possible for a new 5G iPhone. However if you're looking for a better iPhone deal with bigger screens, better cameras, and a bigger list of modern specs, the new SE might not be for you.
CNET: With its iPhone 13 processing power and iPhone 8 design, the third-gen SE is your cheapest ticket to everything Apple.
Engadget: For the price, the iPhone SE offers many advanced features, like a premium processor, 5G support and iOS 15. With these, Apple’s mid-range phone is likely to keep running respectably for at least two more years. But some of its other aspects are practically ancient, like its cramped screen and limited camera setup.
The Verge: Apple’s new iPhone SE is a modern phone stuck in yesterday’s design.
The main discussion topics are summarized below.
In short, the phone was generally seen as a great option for those who prioritize performance and value over a modern design and long battery life.
Key Competitors
The iPhone SE 2022 entered a competitive market segment focused on affordable smartphones. The affordable smartphone market is substantial, particularly in price-sensitive regions like India and Southeast Asia. This implies that the global smartphone market (estimated to be around $0.5 trillion in 2025) has a significant portion dedicated to devices under $500. The iPhone SE targeted consumers who wanted an iPhone experience without paying flagship prices.
At the time of launch the iPhone SE 2022 faced competition from both Android and iOS devices:
Samsung Galaxy A Series (Galaxy A33, Galaxy A53): Samsung's A series offered a compelling alternative with larger displays, more modern designs, and often, better battery life. They typically featured multiple rear cameras, offering more versatility than the SE's single lens. However, the A series phones generally didn't match the iPhone SE 2022's raw processing power, as the A15 Bionic was significantly faster than the processors found in these Samsung devices.
Google Pixel A Series (Pixel 5a, Pixel 6a): The Pixel A series was known for its excellent camera performance, powered by Google's computational photography expertise. They also offered clean Android software with timely updates. The Pixel 6a, in particular, offered a more modern design than the iPhone SE 2022. However, like the Samsung A series, the Pixel 6a's processor (Google Tensor) generally didn't match the A15 Bionic in raw speed.
Previous Generation iPhones (e.g., iPhone 12 line, iPhone 13 mini): Apple's own older iPhones were also competitors. Consumers could often find deals on previous-generation iPhones that offered larger screens, more advanced camera systems, and similar performance (though not quite as fast as the A15 Bionic). From the latest iPhone line at the time the iPhone 13 mini “suffered” quite a bit due to the especially strong competition from the iPhone SE 2022.
The iPhone SE 2022 managed to compete in the crowded affordable smartphone market well. Its key differentiator was its A15 Bionic chip, which offered significantly better performance than most of its Android competitors. It was expected that Apple would ship 30 million units of iPhone SE in 2022 reaching 1.1% of the global market.
Expected Upgrades
The first announcements about possible iPhone SE upgrades were already in 2024. Now it is almost certain that the new model, iPhone SE 4 or iPhone SE 2025, will be presented in few days time. The most discussed improvements? These are the A18 chip and Apple Intelligence, which are like superpowers for the phone, making it comparable to the latest flagship models:
In more detail, key upgrades
Design and Display: The iPhone SE 4 is expected to look like the iPhone 14, with a larger 6.1-inch OLED screen and Face ID for security.
Performance: It will be powered by the A18 chip, which is also used in the iPhone 16, and include 8GB of RAM for smooth performance.
Camera: A single full 48MP Fusion Camera of the iPhone 16 series is expected, which is a big upgrade from the current 12MP.
Connectivity: It will feature a USB-C port and Apple's first in-house 5G modem.
Key compromises
Price Increase: The starting price might be around $499 - a $70 increase from the previous model.
Storage Concerns: There are rumors that the base model might only have 64GB of storage, which could be a drawback compared to other mid-range phones starting with at least 128GB.
WLAN Limitations: although the iPhone 16 line supports the Wi-Fi 7 standard, it is very unlikely to have it in the “SE” model.
There are rumors that Apple might not hold a separate launch event, instead just a press release. The marketing seems to be focused on the affordability and features to compete with other vendors’ cheaper models.
The iPhone SE 2022 was a proven design with latest tech, - a great alternative to the pricier flagships. It was a clever play to strengthen the Apple ecosystem and grab market share in price sensitive regions. Most likely Apple will do the same with iPhone SE 2025 - will design a great phone with a powerful processor to run Apple Intelligence.