5G iPhone SE Shipments Expected to Reach Up to 30 Million Units This Year

Apple's new third-generation iPhone SE with 5G connectivity is set to go on general sale on Friday, and Taiwan-based analysts have today shared their shipment expectations for the device over the coming year.

iPhone SE 3 stacked
Apple's new ‌iPhone‌ SE shipments are expected to reach 30 million units in 2022, according to estimates by DigiTimes research analysts Sean Lin and Luke Lin. That's at the top-end of the predicted number of second-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE (2020) units that Apple managed to ship in the first year of its release.

Apple is said to have prepared components for under five million units of the new ‌iPhone‌ SE in the first quarter of 2022, but actual shipments for the entry-level smartphone are expected to be lower than that in the first quarter.

In the next quarter, shipments are expected to rise to 11 million units, with volumes in the third quarter to stay at around the same level before slowing down in the fourth quarter, leading up to the launch of Apple's ‌iPhone‌ 14 series.

According to DigiTimes, the availability of the new ‌iPhone‌ SE is expected to significantly drive up 5G handset shipments to non-China markets in 2022, with a significant cross-section of customers preferring its lower price and traditional ‌iPhone‌ design with a physical Home button.

In 2021, around 280 million 5G handsets were shipped to non-China markets, according to the analysts, but the number is expected to rise sharply by over 60% to over 450 million units, accounting for 63.5% of worldwide volumes. In China, by contrast, where nearly 80% of shipments are already 5G devices, shipment growth this year is only expected to be in the single digits.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

New iPhone 17 Pro Details: Brighter Display, Best Battery Life, and More

Wednesday September 3, 2025 5:33 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors. According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of Apple Event Next Week

Tuesday September 2, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Just one week before Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, an analyst has shared new price estimates for the devices. Here are J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee's price estimates for the iPhone 17 series in the United States, according to 9to5Mac: Model Starting Price Model Starting Price Change iPhone 16 $799 iPhone 17 ...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
iPhone 17 Pro on Desk Centered 1

Survey: Nearly 70% of Users Plan to Upgrade to iPhone 17

Monday September 1, 2025 8:24 am PDT by
A new survey has found that nearly seven in ten iPhone owners in the United States plan to upgrade to an iPhone 17 model, signaling strong demand ahead of Apple's expected unveiling of the devices at its September 9 keynote. Smartphone price comparison platform SellCell surveyed over 2,000 U.S.-based iPhone users in August to assess upgrade interest and brand loyalty before Apple's event....

Top Rated Comments

bluecoast Avatar
45 months ago
The tech press: this is a tired looking phone, we can’t recommend it
30m people: take our money.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacBH928 Avatar
45 months ago
if its not broken, don't fix it:

-touch id
-full screen (no notch)
-thumb can reach all screen (one hand operateable)
-half the price of iphone 13

Whats not to like!?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dweebe Avatar
45 months ago
Waiting for all the hot takes about how the SE is a horrible form factor and that Apple should get rid of its low cost option because it damages the brand.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hyperchaotic Avatar
45 months ago

why would someone buy this over a mini?
I'd get the Mini but there are plenty of people out there who like the form factor and the button at ~62% of the price of the 12 mini (in Canada at least).

Anecdotally, I have friends who are excited about getting a 5G phone with latest SoC with 4GB of RAM in a design they know and love, one of them are replacing an iPhone 7 who would otherwise be due for its second battery replacement.

Nothing wrong in that, it's good there's choice.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sdfox7 Avatar
45 months ago

if its not broken, don't fix it:

-touch id
-full screen (no notch)
-thumb can reach all screen (one hand operateable)
-half the price of iphone 13

Whats not to like!?
I just bought and set up my new Apple iPhone SE 128GB in Starlight today at the Apple Store. The color of the metal is subtle--it's almost silver and it's almost gold. I'm a guy in my 30's and I'm pleased that it's not girly at all, and I like the white back glass, seems elegant to me. The phone is fantastic.

I have a 2TB iCloud subscription so I don't think the 256GB is required nor as good of a value.

I can't shake the old form factor, I've been using the home button for years. Old habits die hard I guess. The SE and home button must be popular enough with people like me so Apple continues to make them.

I have a Best Buy near my house but they wanted to force me to activate one with Verizon for $40 when I can just take the Verizon SIM out of my old phone and put in my new one. I told them I was paying the phone in full and had my own SIM and could I avoid the fee? They said no so I went to Apple instead.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LFC2020 Avatar
45 months ago
Estimates by DigiTimes. ?‍♂️
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)