Apple just hosted its Peek Performance event, where a number of new-generation devices got shown off, including the M1 iPad Air tablet, the most powerful Mac Pro desktop ever created, and heaps more. While fans hoping to hear more about the next mainline iPhone may be disappointed by the lack of news about it, it's not a total wash.
Specifically, Apple was happy to announce the third generation of iPhone SE devices, featuring iPhone 13 hardware bundled into the classic SE shell that doesn't seem to be changing in any major way, shape, or form. This means that users interested in getting something truly novel and exciting may need to wait a bit longer still.
With a starting price of $429, the new iPhone SE 2022 isn't supposed to shake up the market in a meaningful way. The third generation of SE iPhones is going to be equipped with iPhone 13's A15 processors, promising better performance, significant battery longevity improvements, and 5G connectivity. Apple seems to be sticking with Lightning cables for charging, making third-party USB-C iPhone modding all the more relevant.
The third-generation iPhone SE will have the same camera assembly as its second-generation predecessor, though Apple claims that the upgrade to A15 CPUs should result in software-based image capture improvements, citing features such as Smart HDR 4 and Deep Fusion as potential reasons to upgrade. A far cry from the iPhone 14 leaks that have been floating around, but an interesting upgrade nonetheless.
In essence, iPhone SE 2022 is the polar opposite of Apple's purported smart glasses gadget. It's a tried-and-true design that is barely changing from one generation to the next, featuring the classic 4.7-inch Retina HD display with thick bezels, packaged into a rugged shell that comes in a variety of stark colors. Since there's virtually no other phone maker even attempting to compete in the small device niche, however, Apple is bound to have a field day with its best iPhone SE yet.
Potential buyers that just can't stand Apple's onboard AI assistant, Siri, shouldn't be too worried, either. It's entirely possible to turn Siri off on iPhones completely, should the user choose to do so. The end result, then, should be an iPhone that looks like it's trapped in the early 2010s with hardware that's just one step removed from the cutting-edge.
Apple iPhone SE 2022 is coming out on March 18th.
Source: Apple