iPhone SE

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on iPhone SE:

Why iPhone 14 and iPhone SE were banned in the EU

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iPhone SE banned in the EU
The iPhone SE is among the Apple products pulled from Apple stores in the EU.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

It’s no longer possible to buy an iPhone 14 or iPhone SE 3 from Apple in the EU. And many of Apple’s older accessories also disappeared from the company’s shelves in the European Union, too.

It’s all a result of a EU law that, as of Saturday, banned the sale of handsets with proprietary charging ports. Apple was a primary focus of the legislation.

Apple to discontinue iPhone 14 and iPhone SE sales in the EU

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iPhone 14 in purple
Apple will soon take iPhone SE and iPhone 14 off the shelves in the EU.
Photo: Unsplash

Apple will reportedly stop selling the iPhone SE (3rd gen) and iPhone 14 in the EU by the end of this year. It will do this to comply with the EU’s directive, which mandates all smartphones to use USB-C for charging.

Apple only switched to USB-C on its smartphone lineup with the iPhone 15’s launch in 2023.

iPhone SE 4’s in-house Apple 5G modem could deliver major power savings

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iPhone SE 4 rumors
iPhone SE 4 will be a big upgrade over the iPhone SE 3.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple’s next iPhone SE might use the same A18 chip as the iPhone 16 and 8GB RAM. It will also use the same cameras as the iPhone 15.

The upcoming iPhone SE 4 will reportedly sport a new design that will see Apple ditch the physical Home button. It will also stand out for being the first product in Apple’s portfolio to use its in-house 5G modem.

iPhone SE 4 with Apple Intelligence on course for early 2025

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iPhone SE 4 rumors
iPhone SE 4 could get an intelligence boost.
Photo: Cult of Mac

iPhone SE 4 will debut early next year, according to a reliable source, and supposedly will support Apple Intelligence, the AI-powered features coming soon to iOS, macOS and iPadOS.

Apple’s 2025 budget handset reportedly will receive a significant redesign. And previous rumors suggest the handset will come with an upgraded display, too.

iPhone SE 4 might finally make jump to OLED

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iPhone SE 4 rumors
Apple could close the door on LCD iPhones with the SE 4.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Fresh evidence points to iPhone SE 4 including an OLED display. If true, this would make it the first in Apple’s line of budget handsets to use this improved type of screen, while every other iPhone gave up traditional LCDs years ago.

The next iPhone SE model is supposedly on the docket for 2025.

This is the most mystifying iPhone 17 rumor yet [The CultCast]

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An iPhone with the word
Apple apparently thinks thin is in again. But your wallet better be fat!
Photo: Priscilla Du Preez/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The latest rumors about a premium “iPhone 17 Slim” leave us scratching our heads. Thickness aside, it sounds like it will bring less of almost everything. Will you pay more for an iPhone Air?

Also on The CultCast:

  • At least one iPhone 17 might get an extra-fancy camera.
  • And we might not be that far from a folding iPhone or a deluxe iPhone SE.
  • After blowing through billions, it sounds like Apple TV+ will be tightening its belt.

Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.

Bulked-up iPhone SE 4 could add OLED screen for first time

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bigger iPhone SE with OLED display rumored
If the claim is true, iPhone SE 4 would be the first SE with an OLED display, not to mention a bigger size overall.
Photo: Filipe Alves

The upcoming fourth-generation iPhone SE might see a pretty big size increase and become the first SE handset to boast an OLED screen, according to the latest rumors. Other rumored upgrades for the budget iPhone include a powerful 48MP camera and more memory so it can run Apple Intelligence features.

Those are some big changes for an entry-level handset folks thought might be on the chopping block not long ago.

iPhone SE 4 could get a price hike

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iPhone SE in Red
iPhone SE could get a big design and size upgrade
Photo: Filipe Alves

Apple’s next iPhone SE refresh could have a higher price tag than the current model. A leak indicates Apple might bump the iPhone SE 4’s price by 10%.

Despite the possible hike, Apple apparently wants to keep the price of its compact iPhone below $499.

iPhones go for as little as $126 in refurb blowout

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iPhone SE 2 in woot's refurbished iPhone deals
In Woot's sale, you can get a compact and capable iPhone SE 2 for just $126.
Photo: the Hacker 34

“iPhone Extravaganza!” That’s what Woot is calling its latest blowout sale on refurbished iPhones. From handsets going back to iPhone X up through recent models like iPhone SE (2nd generation) and iPhone 14 Plus, Woot’s refurbished iPhone deals cover 13 items, with a choice of colors, while they last.

And as Woot said in its page’s subtitle, “Just once I would like Siri to say that I look like a million bucks.”

Alleged iPhone SE 4 renders show an iPhone 14-like design

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iPhone SE in Red
iPhone SE could get a big design and size upgrade
Photo: Filipe Alves

Apple last refreshed the iPhone SE in 2022. While the model is begging for an update, the company apparently plans to launch one only in 2025.

Despite the iPhone SE 4 a year away from launch, its alleged CAD renders have leaked online. They reveal its iPhone 14-inspired design and the addition of a 6.1-inch display with a notch.

Clock ticks on killer iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods refurb deals

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Deals on Apple refurbished gear - iPhone 13 Pro
On the deals list: iPhone 13 Pro (and various minis!)
Photo: Apple

Amazon bargain site Woot! is quietly offering some fantastic refurbished Apple gear deals, including iPhones, Apple Watches and AirPods.

Woot refers to its deals lineup as “basically an Apple soup.” It’s your chance to slurp up bargains (if you don’t need the newest gadgets).

The sale ends Monday, February 26, at 10 p.m. PT.

iPhone SE 4 could look a lot like iPhone 14

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iPhone 14
The iPhone SE 4 might look very much like the iPhone 14.
Photo: Apple

A new report sheds light on the iPhone SE 4’s design and camera setup. Apple’s next budget iPhone will use a modified iPhone 14 chassis that’s slightly lighter.

Based on the current development status, Apple’s next budget iPhone is unlikely to launch before 2025.

Get up to 35% off big selection of eye-catching iPhone cases

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SwitchEasy's MagEasy lineup of iPhone cases is on sale.
SwitchEasy's MagEasy lineup of iPhone cases is on sale.
Photo: SwitchEasy

If you have an iPhone, you should probably protect that expensive gadget from drops and scrapes with a case. And it’ll change up your handset’s look, too. Good thing SwitchEasy is having a big sale on its MagEasy lineup — one case for 20% off and an additional 15% off when you buy two cases.

The collection on sale includes a variety of cases for iPhone 14, 13, 12, 11 and SE. Just remember to use coupon code cultofmac on the product page when you buy.

Apple puts iPhone SE 4 plans back on hold

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iPhone XR with iPhone SE 4 text
Don’t hold your breath for the iPhone SE 4.
Image: Rajesh

The on again/off again iPhone SE 4 is reportedly off again. For at least a couple of years, anyway. Apple reportedly no longer intends to make a new budget iOS handset in 2024.

That’s probably not surprising considering the popularity of the company’s more expensive models.

Reports of iPhone SE 4’s death were greatly exaggerated

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iPhone 14
The iPhone SE 4 might look very much like the iPhone 14.
Photo: Apple

Apple plans to release an iPhone SE 4 based heavily on the design of the iPhone 14, according to a new report from a reliable source.

Word that Apple canceled the low-cost handset leaked out recently, but work on the device has supposedly started again.

iPhone SE 4 could have been axed

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iPhone SE 4 could have been axed
The iPhone SE 3 could be the last.
Graphic: Apple/Cult of Mac

There’ll be no iPhone SE 4, according to a reliable source of insider info. And the previous model is supposedly Apple’s last low-cost handset.

This is not intended to force consumers to buy pricier models. Shoppers are doing that on their own.

Apple could cancel or postpone 2024 iPhone SE 4 launch

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iPhone XR with iPhone SE 4 text
The iPhone SE 4 might not see the light of the day.
Image: Rajesh

Apple could delay or cancel the launch of the 2024 iPhone SE 4 due to cost and demand issues. The company’s budget products have not performed as well as initially thought.

The full-screen design of the iPhone SE 4 could also push its prices higher. This could affect its demand and position in Apple’s current lineup.

iPhone SE 4 design is still up in the air

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iPhone XR test
iPhone SE 4 might look much like the iPhone XR, but Apple is also considering other designs.
Photo: Apple

Apple is reportedly sticking with a two-year replacement cycle on its budget handset line. That means the iPhone SE 4 won’t be out until 2024, according to a reliable source.

The launch is apparently far enough away that Apple hasn’t settled on a final design.

iPhone SE 4 might sport edge-to-edge screen

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iPhone XR performance is stellar, far better than many Android devices that cost more.
This is the iPhone XR. And it could be the iPhone SE 4, also.
Photo: Apple

The fourth-gen iPhone SE might be a blast from the past: leaked renders of the upcoming budget handset show it greatly resembling the iPhone XR.

If so, it will be the first in the SE line with an edge-to-edge screen and no Home button.

Apple realizes no one wants small phones, increases iPhone 13 orders

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Consumers don't want the new iPhone SE, but they can't get enough of iPhone 13.
Photo: Apple

Apple reportedly increased iPhone 13 orders after coming to the realization that there’s not enough demand for smaller smartphones.

Both iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini experienced “dismal” sales performance, according to an analyst. And Apple already cut orders for its revised iPhone SE due to weaker-than-expected demand.

Apple is already slashing iPhone SE 3 production due to weak demand

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The new iPhone SE is available is available in the same colors as before, but it's much-improved on the inside.
It's not looking good for iPhone SE.
Photo: Apple

Apple is reportedly making big cuts to iPhone SE 3 production less than two weeks after the device made its official debut. Two separate sources claim Cupertino is seeing weaker-than-expected demand for the entry-level device.

One analyst points to the fact that the third-generation is still “in stock” — without any delays in shipping — as proof that it is not selling as Apple anticipated. Shipment estimates have been cut by 10 million units as a result.

iPhone SE 3 cuts carriers out of the buying process in the US

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The new iPhone SE is available is available in the same colors as before, but it's much-improved on the inside.
It's now a lot easier to buy Apple's most affordable iPhone.
Photo: Apple

The new iPhone SE is Apple’s first smartphone that can be purchased without carrier credit checks in the United States. Customers can obtain the device without having to provide their phone number or Social Security information.

This applies only to AT&T and T-Mobile customers for now, who will be able to take advantage of a new feature called “on-device authentication” during iPhone SE’s setup process. It is also expected to be available on iPhone 14.

Mac Studio, Studio Display and iPad Air reach customers around the world

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Mac Studio and Studio Display launch
Are you getting new Apple devices today?
Photos: Joe Dawson and Pawan

Apple’s new Mac Studio, Studio Display, iPad Air and iPhone SE officially go on sale today. That means customers who preordered early (before shipping dates slipped) are beginning to receive the first deliveries around the world.

If you, like me, are disappointed not to be reveling in the same delight as they are, here are a whole bunch of photos that highlight what we’re missing out on.

iPhone SE 3 review roundup: Ample power combined with aging features

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iPhone SE
iPhone SE 3 is exactly what you would expect from a new iPhone SE.
Photo: Apple

With less than a week to go until Apple’s third-generation iPhone SE makes its official debut, the first reviews are out. They have plenty of great things to say about Cupertino’s most affordable handset — and more than a few complaints.

While everyone is praising the handset’s super-speedy A15 Bionic, welcome 5G connectivity, and even its single 12-megapixel camera, most reviewers agree that its “tired design” is in dire need of a refresh.