Release of the 2022 iPhone SE 3 now rumored for the second half of April or early May

Apple's most budget-friendly smartphone, the iPhone SE (from US$279 on Amazon), is rumored to receive its long awaited 2022 upgrade fairly soon. We previously reported on several rumors and leaks, some of which have already hinted at a spring release as well as an unchanged exterior design of the so-called iPhone SE 3, which could also be named the iPhone SE 5G. Either way, the affordable Apple smartphone will purportedly feature some significantly improved internals including the more powerful Apple A15 Bionic chip.

The well-known leaker Ross Young has now shared a more specific timeframe for the iPhone SE 3 release date on Twitter. According to his sources, Apple's suppliers will start producing the display panels for the 5G-capable smartphone this month, which leads him to believe that the iPhone's assembly will kick off in March. This supposedly makes a launch event in the second half of April or early May likely.

Young further claims that shipments of the iPhone SE 3 will start shortly after the official presentation. These assertions aren't exactly groundbreaking, since Apple also held a launch event on April 20 of last year, which is when the Cupertino-based company unveiled the 2021 iPad Pro and the latest iMac. In conclusion, this means that the leaker and industry consultant simply expects Apple to adhere to this timeframe for the iPhone SE 3 release date, which is still good news for customers who are on a budget and in dire need of a 5G upgrade.