iPhone SE 3 release date: Cheap iPhone unveiled at Apple launch with price CONFIRMED

APPLE has just unveiled the all-new iPhone SE at its latest launch event.

The third generation of Apple’s ‘affordable’ iPhone was confirmed by CEO Tim Cook – and pre-orders will go live this Friday (March 11).

AppleThe iPhone SE may soon be replaced by an even more powerful model[/caption]

In a livestreamed event titled ‘Peek Performance’, Cook announced various new developments from the tech giant, include a slate of new AppleTV+ titles, two new iPhone 13 colours and the all-new iPad Air.

But for everything we know about the iPhone SE 3 – read on.

What is the iPhone SE 3?

The iPhone SE is the latest generation of Apple’s cheapest smartphone.

A first-generation model launched back in 2016, followed by a second-generation variant in 2020 – and now we’ve got a brand-new one for 2022.

How much does the iPhone SE 3 cost?

The Apple team has confirmed the iPhone SE 3 will cost $429 in the US and £419 in the UK.

That’s not the ultra-low price we were hoping for, but it’s still pretty cheap as Apple tech goes.

When is the iPhone SE 3 out? New iPhone SE 2022 release date

In the Apple launch event on March 8, Tim Cook confirmed that pre-orders for the newest iPhone SE will go live on Friday March 11.

Then, the smartphone will go on general sale a week later: March 18.

This Apple spring event is a reasonably regular feature for Apple, and was used in 2020 for the previous iPhone SE announcement.

The event is took place at 10am California time – that’s 1pm in New York and 6pm in London.

Apple has named the event “Peek Performance”, which is fairly mysterious.

If Apple does announce the iPhone SE 3 on March 8, we’d expect the phone to be available for pre-order that same Friday – March 11.

Then Apple would likely begin selling the phone in stores the Friday after that – on March 18.

iPhone SE 3 design and specs

Tim Cook described the third iPhone SE 3 as ‘delivering at an incredible price’.

Certainly, what Product Line manager Francesca Sweet outlined in specs confirms it hugely builds on the previous two generations of SE.

The iPhone SE 3 will feature the same A15 Bionic chip that you’ll find in the top-of-the-line iPhone 13, along with the same iOS 15.

Its CPU is 1.8 times faster than the iPhone 8, and an impressive 26 times faster operationally.

This is the first SE phone with 5G, which makes a huge difference to things like Facetime video calls and online multiplayer gaming.

The camera is 12-megapixels in capability, with a Smart HDR 4 function that makes individual adjustments to your pics.

It will come in three different colours: Midnight, Starlight and Product Red.

Lastly, it’s built in the same toughened glass across its front and back that you get in the iPhone 13 range.

What we expected from iPhone SE 3

Before the event, we spoke to CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood about the new mobile.

“The iPhone SE is a key franchise for Apple offering the most affordable starting point for people often buying an iPhone for the first time,” Ben told The Sun.

“It also caters perfectly for people who need a phone but don’t want all the bells and whistles.

“Apple will likely follow its usual approach on making incremental improvements across all areas such as the processor power, battery life and a the screen.

“The other big story will be the addition of 5G.

“All the operators in the UK are keen to get as many people onto 5G as possible and having the entry level iPhone supporting the technology is key.”

A leak earlier this year suggested that the new iPhone would enter production in January.

That’s according to industry insider and Apple analyst Ross Young.

Usually Apple announces new iPhone models in September.

Rumours suggested it will cost just $299 – and the old iPhone SE will fall to an even lower $199. Sadly, that super-low price tag wasn’t to be.

The big news was the introduction of 5G, which is now more widely supported across the US and UK.

If flagships are more your thing, it’s worth taking a look at our pick of the best iPhone 13 deals this month.

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