Apple set to launch a new iPhone SE this year but disappointingly keeping the same design

Say what you want about the Apple iPhone SE, but there’s no denying that it’s still one of the cheapest ways to get your foot into the Apple ecosystem. It’s last refresh though was back in 2020, and Apple’s entry-level smartphone is long due a refresh. According to the latest rumours in town, that refresh is set to happen this year, but don’t get your hopes up for a new design though.

Serial Apple leakster Dylandkt tweeted out earlier today that the Cupertino giant is planning to relaunch the iPhone SE this year. However, it will only come with the additions of 5G support and a spec bump under the hood while the overall chassis will remain the same as that used in the 2020 model. This follows his previous tweet all the way back from last year that claimed the next iPhone SE will be using the iPhone 11’s design. He added that Apple has pushed the iPhone 11-styled iPhone SE to 2024.

By keeping the same overall build for their upcoming iPhone SE, this means that the same 2017-era design will be coming to its third iteration now. This also likely means the same 4.7-inch, HD+ Retina IPS display as well as Touch ID, which in current times could actually be a selling point for Apple. However, you’ll also be looking at a fairly small battery; the iPhone SE from 2020 only had a 1821mAh battery. It’s possible that they’ll give it a small upgrade though, seeing as the iPhone 8/SE body is actually bigger in size compared to the iPhone 13 Mini.

Dylandkt isn’t the only one who believes Apple will reuse the iPhone 8 design though. Japanese website Macotakara, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo as well as DSCC’s Ross Young all agree that Apple are likely going to introduce the iPhone SE this year with the same body. The first two had also agreed with Dylandkt regarding the spec bump as well as the the support for 5G. As for what processor will power the device, it’s still not known but Apple are likely to use a lower spec version of the A15 Bionic chip.

For those of you who have not heard of Dylandkt, he appeared on the scene in late-2020, and has a somewhat decent track record when it comes to Apple leaks and news. AppleTrack has given him a score of 77.5%, which is fairly solid. That being said, this is still just a rumour for now and so should be taken with a small pinch of salt still.