Apple will not unveil a new iPhone SE in 1H 2021

Apple revitalised the iPhone SE name with the second-generation model that it introduced earlier this year, four years after the debut of the first-generation model. Apple equipped the new iPhone SE with what was its current Bionic SoC, but at a reasonable price by iPhone standards. The second iPhone SE borrows heavily from the iPhone 8 though, whose design dates to 2014 and the iPhone 6. Nonetheless, its 138.4 mm tall chassis made it the smallest iPhone, until Apple released the iPhone 12 mini, that is.

However, we should not expect a new iPhone SE any time soon, according to well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo, in a research note seen by at least 9to5Mac and MyFixGuide, claims that we should not expect Apple to release a new model in the first half of 2021, or a year on from the announcement of the second-generation iPhone SE. Instead, Kuo believes that Apple could announce a third-generation iPhone SE in the second half of the year, although it is unclear exactly when that will be.

It also remains to be seen what form the next iPhone SE will take, or if one is even needed in the company's product stack. The iPhone SE remains Apple's cheapest iPhone at US$399, albeit only by US$100 to the iPhone XR. Apple insists that the chassis used for the iPhone SE is its 'most popular size' though, so a third-generation model may just feature updated hardware within the same design.

Additionally, Kuo states that Apple remains on track to release the iPhone 13 series in 2H 2021, presumably early September. According to the analyst, the iPhone 13 Pro series will feature upgraded cameras, but its design will stay true to the current iPhone 12 series.