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iPhone SE 3 Release Date: Tips & Tricks

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2 years ago

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Apple is reportedly planning to launch a new iPhone SE 3 in March. With rumors heating up and the release getting close, now would be a good time for prospective buyers to start preparing for the iPhone SE 3 release date.

After a bit of a wait, Apple has confirmed a launch event for March 8th. The event is scheduled for Tuesday at 10AM Pacific Time at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California.

The event will likely serve as the launch pad for several new devices including a brand new fifth-generation iPad Air and a new iPhone that many are calling iPhone SE 2022, iPhone SE 3 (or iPhone SE third-generation), or simply iPhone SE.

The new iPhone SE will supposedly bring several notable changes to Apple’s budget iPhone model. Among them, 5G connectivity and better performance.

With a launch seemingly imminent, prospective buyers should start preparing for the iPhone SE 3 release date. Taking some steps ahead of time will ensure that you’re fully prepared to buy one when the time comes. If that’s what you plan to do.

Your research might even drive you to purchase another iPhone model or perhaps even a smartphone outside of Apple’s ecosystem.

In this guide we’ll take prospective iPhone SE 3 buyers through some steps to take ahead of the device’s presumed release date later on this month.

Track iPhone SE 3 Rumors

If you’re at all interested in buying Apple’s iPhone SE 3, you’ll want to track the latest rumors as we push into March.

Apple will do its best to keep iPhone SE 3 details under wraps, but leaks are inevitable. We’ve already seen a bunch of rumors outline a number of potential (and in some cases, likely) iPhone SE 3 features and we’ll probably see a few more before Apple takes the stage.

These rumors will fill in many of the blanks ahead of Apple’s announcements and they’ll help you set proper expectations.

In addition to keeping an eye out for hardware and software rumors, you’ll also want to keep your eyes peeled for supply chain rumors.

Supply chain issues impacted Apple’s fall product launches and there’s a chance they impact upcoming products as well. The chip shortage impacting companies like Apple is expected to continue into the second half of 2022.

The iPhone SE 3 launch won’t get delayed, but there’s a chance stock is limited at launch. Apple suppliers are saying the shortages have begun to ease, but there’s no telling how much stock will be available at launch. Companies are also expecting strong demand for Apple’s budget device.

If you want the phone ASAP, you might want to think about putting in an iPhone SE 3 pre-order.

Check Your Upgrade Eligibility

If you’re planning to buy the iPhone SE 3, or even if you’re just considering it, you’ll want to check your upgrade status.

If you aren’t eligible for an upgrade right now, you might not be able to buy the iPhone SE 3 right away. That being said, carriers will sometimes move up your upgrade status so you’ll want to check and see if anything changes in the buildup to the launch.

Checking your current upgrade status is easy and only takes a few minutes. Here’s how to check your upgrade online at AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, and U.S. Cellular.

Get Familiar with iOS 15

If you’re still running iOS 14 or if you’re currently using an iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5s, an older iPhone, or an Android phone, and you’re thinking about buying the iPhone SE 3, you’ll want to get familiar with iOS 15.

If you’re still using an older version of iOS or you’ll be moving from Android, use this time to get comfortable with iOS 15. You can start with our guide to the software.

If you’re planning to move over from Android, we definitely recommend going hands-on with iOS and see if it’s a good fit for you and your needs.

Research iPhone Accessories

As we speed toward the iPhone SE 3 release date, you should spend some time getting familiar with the best iPhone accessories. This way, you’ll know exactly what to buy and how much to spend if you decide you want to pair your new phone with some extras.

We recommend reading reviews and digging into the best iPhone accessories before Apple makes its announcements. Some accessories could drastically alter how you use your phone.

Make sure you get a feel for potential costs, dig into the pros and cons of each manufacturer, and find styles that appeal to you. This way, you’ll be ready to go when the device arrives.

Figure Out How Much Storage You Need

Start thinking about how much storage you’ll need on your iPhone SE 3.

Picking the right amount of iPhone storage will help you save money and avoid headaches down the road. While some of you will be perfectly fine with the least amount of storage, others will want the peace of mind that comes with having the most internal space available.

We don’t know what kind of storage options Apple will provide, but rumors currently point to three potential variants: 64GB/128GB/256GB.

If you’re unsure about what you might need, take a look at our iPhone 13 storage guide.

Look Into Other iPhones

Before you settle on buying the new iPhone SE, you’ll want to get acquainted with Apple’s current iPhone models. You might find an iPhone you really like, at a price you love, before the iPhone SE 3 arrives.

First, we recommend taking a look at Apple’s current flagships, the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro. You’ll also want to look at the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

They don’t pack as much horsepower, but you should also check out the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. They are cheaper than the iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 series and they’re still in great shape.

Other in-house options include the iPhone SE 2, the iPhone XS series, the iPhone XR, and you may even want to check out the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.

Waiting for the iPhone SE 3, but a lot of you might be better off buying another iPhone right now. If you do, you’ll be able to upgrade to an iPhone SE 3, or another phone, next year.

Look at Other iPhone SE 3 Alternatives

Make sure you also research the best iPhone SE 3 alternatives that fall outside of Apple’s ecosystem. There’s a chance you find something you really like.

There are a ton of excellent iPhone alternatives out there, but here are a few of our favorites:

Dig into these, and others, before you make a decision to wait for the iPhone SE 3.

Make a Plan for Your Current Phone

If you plan to upgrade to a new phone in the near future, make sure you have a plan for your current device.

Some of you might know of a friend or relative who could benefit from having a new phone. Ask around and see if anyone might need a hand-me-down. You might also look into donating your phone to charity.

If you plan on selling your current device to help offset the cost of your iPhone SE 3, you’ll want to dig into prices at popular resellers.

Make sure you keep your current phone in pristine condition because that’s how you’ll get the most money back from those resellers, your carrier, or Apple if/when iPhone SE 3 trade-in offers go live.

Research AppleCare

If you’re planning to buy the iPhone SE 3, you’ll want to protect your investment.

New iPhones come with a standard warranty, but Apple’s AppleCare is an extended warranty service that delivers far better support.

If you aren’t familiar with AppleCare’s service and its benefits, you should research them in the days ahead. You should also look into AppleCare alternatives.

You’ll be able to add AppleCare to your bag during the checkout process when you purchase your new device. You can also buy it later if you decide to wait.

Research Carriers

If you’re unhappy with your current provider’s coverage or plan, use this time to dig into competitors and see if you can find a better fit.

Each carrier has its pros and cons, but you might find one that stands out. If you’re interested in switching carriers, make sure you shop around before you settle.

6 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 14 & 6 Reasons Not To

Wait for a Hole-Punch Design

Wait for a Hole-Punch Design

If you hate Apple's notch, you might be in luck because it looks like the company is making significant changes to the iPhone's design.

Apple didn't eliminate the notch in 2021 but the iPhone 13 series has a smaller notch than the iPhone 12 series and previous iPhone models.

In 2022, Apple will reportedly ditch the notch in favor of a hole-punch display design. The rumor comes from respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. He's reiterated this in a newer note though he says the change may be limited to the iPhone 14 Pro models. 

A source speaking to MacRumors believes the iPhone 14 Pro's display cutouts might look like a single, long pill shape when the display is on. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes this information is accurate. 

Analyst Ross Young believes that while the iPhone 14 Pro models will be the only ones with this new design, the hole-punch design will likely come to all iPhone models in 2023. Young has reiterated this stance in two other reports. 

Korean publication The Elec backs up these rumors and claims Samsung Display will help with the manufacturing process. Like Kuo, the site says the new design will be limited to the Pro models. ETNews also says Samsung will supply OLED panels for the iPhone 14.

A newer report from The Elec states that the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will come with LTPO OLED displays with a hole-punch.

If true, it would put the iPhone more in line with Samsung's high-end Galaxy phones which also employ a hole-punch design.

The hole-punch isn't as invasive as the notch which should be music to the ears of those who don't like the notch.

Ice Universe and Duan Rui have both shared dummy images that show the devices new design in quite a bit of detail. 

Alleged CAD images of the iPhone 14 Pro Max hint at thinner display bezels. As for the lower-end iPhone 14 models, they're expected to keep the same thickness and bezel size as the iPhone 13 series. 

We've also seen renders of the alleged design Apple will deploy on the low-end iPhone 14 models. The renders, from MySmartPrice, hint at a design that's virtually unchanged from the iPhone 13's. 

The device in the images has a notch and it also has the same rear camera setup as the iPhone 13. 

We've also seen leaked iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max display panels corroborate all of this information. 

Apple won a patent for under-display cameras for biometric authentication on the iPhone so it's pretty clear the company is working to get rid of the notch at some point. It's just a matter of when.

If you aren't thrilled with the look of the iPhone 12 or iPhone 13, think about waiting for the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

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