Deliveries of the current generation iPhone SE (which Apple presented in 2022) to the company's branded stores are decreasing rapidly. This was reported by Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman. The tendency to reduce the supply of the iPhone SE is not surprising, since it is expected that in a few months the debut of the updated version of the smartphone will take place.
What you should know
Apple is expected to release a new iPhone SE this spring, most likely in April. According to some sources, the smartphone may be called the iPhone 16E. It is assumed that this will be the biggest redesign in the history of the iPhone SE: an updated look with a 6.1-inch OLED display, improved Face ID technology, a USB Type-C interface for connecting a charger and much more.
The new iPhone SE will receive support for proprietary features based on Apple Intelligence artificial intelligence. However, all these updates also mean that the new iPhone SE will cost more than the previous generation model. According to rumors, the retail price of the smartphone will be at least $499. Typically, when Apple releases new smartphones at a higher price, older models remain on the market, allowing it to expand its reach to potential buyers.
That doesn't seem to be the case with the iPhone SE 3, even though the affordable iPhone has its audience. However, the decline in iPhone SE inventory at Apple Stores clearly indicates that production of this model has already been reduced.
“Inventory reduction – is a sure sign that a new model is coming. But it also suggests that Apple probably doesn't plan to keep the current version at a reduced price after the new model is released. It seems like a missed opportunity, as a cheaper iPhone could have helped Apple break into some markets. The current SE version costs $429, and the new one could cost more, given its advanced features,”, – Gurman believes.