It’s heavily rumored that Apple’s readying another March event to launch a slew of new gadgets - a new iPhone SE, iPad Air , and possibly new Macs - that’s no surprise, but it could herald one of the most impressive iPhones ever made.
Despite Apple’s spring launch not being an annual thing, the wonderfully-named ‘Spring-loaded’ event last year didn’t feel out of the blue - but there did seem to be a lot of online surprise that a new iPhone SE didn’t land .
The lack of iPhone SE 3 really wasn’t surprising. The first iPhone SE (launched in 2016) took four years to get a successor, as it continued to sell pretty well as a low-cost alternative to the ever-spiralling prices of the new iPhone range, as well as some people enjoying a more palm-friendly device.
One might have assumed the iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini would have stolen that limelight, but stats suggest that they’ve not been the hit Apple had hoped for (more on that later).
The ‘new’ iPhone SE , launched in 2020, felt like Apple waiting until the very last moment to bring out a new budget iPhone, and following the same SE tradition: using an older design (this time the iPhone 8 ), offering access to old hardware some people still enjoy (Touch ID over Face ID ), and stuffing in a high-power, current chipset to improve things like battery life.
Given the iPhone SE 2020 is still one of our most popular iPhone reviews, I’m surprised that Apple is heavily rumored to be thinking about refreshing it in just a month’s time rather than waiting another year or two… but all the rumors are really ramping up to that, with the much-respected journalist Mark Gurman predicting the device will land alongside the new iPad Air 5.
While there is part of me that can’t see it happening - Apple doesn’t need to refresh this model when it’s currently buoyed by some of the best iPhone sales in years ( despite it still costing $399 / £389 / AU$679 two years from launch) - there is one good reason for Apple to make the leap now: battery life.
I’m still amazed and perplexed by the battery life of the iPhone 13 range. Not in an adoring, isn’t-Apple-so-generous kind of way, but amazed that it took this long . iPhone 13 users are getting battery life that many Android users have been experiencing for years - the lack of panic when you awake and realize you forgot to plug in the charger is quite a relief.
But, thanks to the A15 Bionic chipset and careful tuning of the components, those that have only ever been on the iPhone train will have been stunned at how little they needed to use a charger when they started using a new iPhone 13… performance that would have sparkled even more during a pandemic when we spent less time away from our power-friendly Wi-Fi.
Now imagine that power and efficiency in a phone using older, less power-intensive hardware. A screen that has fewer pixels to drive. Lower-quality speakers. And a prospective user base that doesn’t use every single feature of their new phone constantly, but just wants an iPhone that won’t let them down - your non-tech family member is the perfect target for an iPhone SE with good battery.
And don’t forget the other thing that Apple managed to do with the iPhone 13 range - that great power longevity while also connecting to 5G networks. The iPhone 12 absolutely failed at this task, with battery life that appeared reduced so Apple could stick in a 5G modem to connect to a network few people were using.
We’re nearly two years on from that moment, and ready for a $399 / £389 / AU$679 5G iPhone that would entice budget-sensitive users ready to make the switch to the faster networks.
A new, old era
By launching an iPhone SE 3 now, Apple wouldn’t be ‘forced’ to use a more modern design. The iPhone 8 chassis is just modern enough to still be desirable - indeed, the curved edges will be appealing to those that haven’t fallen in love with Apple’s more brutalist, industrial design since the iPhone 12.
Apple might want to bring out an iPhone SE based on the current design language - not least because of the cost savings of a single manufacturing process - but I still firmly feel there are millions of people who aren’t that excited about a notch-heavy, all-screen design.
Especially for the higher cost it would command.
If, as heavily rumored, there are no hardware changes on the new iPhone SE, that wouldn’t be the end of the world either. The lack of a dual camera will smart, but I was impressed with the way Apple managed to use the power of its A13 chipset in the last iPhone SE to enhance the photos that came out the older lens… and it’s only got better at doing so since then.
There are even rumors that the sensor inside will be upgraded too. This means the iPhone SE 2022 has even more chance of being a powerhouse with a decent-enough camera on the back - perfect for those that don’t want to spend huge amounts of money just to get a dependable smartphone.
A lot of this is hearsay, of course, and we don’t even have confirmation of the March event yet. But the stream of iPhone SE leaks is starting to build to a river, with reports of testing and production beginning just at the point we’d expect them to.
If Apple does launch the iPhone SE 3 in 2022, that’s a big statement that it’ll be doing the same every couple of years, and puts the prospect of an iPhone 14 mini even further in danger - many people would have bought that just to get a smaller new iPhone, and the iPhone SE 2022 could do that for almost half the price.
So, if I see that event invite land in the next few weeks, and I get one of my regular phone calls from ‘that’ family member asking what new phone they should get… well, I’ll definitely be telling them to hold out for another month or two.
Why I'd like to see an iPhone 14 Pro mini
A mini iPhone had been rumored for years until it arrived with the iPhone 12 mini in 2020. But due to the reportedly low sales, it looks as though the mini will disappear with the iPhone 14 line.
However, it’s a model that’s carved out its own group of fans, mainly due to the fact that it’s at a size that’s roughly the same as the iPhone SE (2016) , and you can use it with one thumb instead of two hands.
To have the power of the latest iPhone but in a smaller body is very appealing, but it could go even further.
There hasn’t been an iPhone 13 Pro mini variant where you have three cameras in a 5-inch body, but there should be for the 14 series.
A pro in a mini body
It took me many years to like the bigger-sized iPhones. I was content with navigating apps and messages with one thumb that would cover the screen, with no effort required in using my hand to reach the top corner of the iPhone.
I still regard the iPhone 4 to be the best model Apple has made for the line, but if you pushed me to think of the best iPhone in recent years, it would be the iPhone 13 Pro . The improvements in the camera, the battery life, and the display make it an iPhone that I haven’t enjoyed since the iPhone 5 due to these three features.
However, to think of the same model in a smaller chassis feels more appealing, as there are times where I’m having to move my hand to reach the top parts of the screen, such as for the Control Center.
While the battery would be less due to the size, it would be a compromise I would happily take if it meant having the best features from an iPhone into a smaller display that I can reach the entirety of with one thumb.
What could be in an iPhone 14 Pro mini?
We’re only three months since the launch of the iPhone 13 series, but there are features that I’d like to see appear.
FaceID is still awkward to use in certain situations, especially when wearing a face mask. To have TouchID come back to the iPhone, perhaps in the power button, similar to the iPad mini, would be a great help.
A smaller notch will always be welcome, and it was great to see the start of this with the iPhone 13 series, but let’s go the distance next year. An even smaller notch that could represent a raindrop that houses the front camera and FaceID module in one could enable more icons to return to the top of the display, especially the battery percentage icon.
MagSafe has been another standout feature for me since owning the iPhone 13 Pro. But there are moments where my AirPods Pro doesn’t charge during the night, and instead, drains completely.
To have them snap to the back of an iPhone 14 so that they can charge would be a great help for those situations.
Finally, I was surprised to see a light blue choice appear for a Pro model this year, so let’s see a dark purple for an iPhone 14 Pro mini.
However, Apple likes to keep it simple, and having a mini model in the Pro line could further confuse customers who are looking to upgrade. There are also rumors of a bigger iPhone SE coming as well, so there may be five different models to choose from in 2022.
But whatever they decide, to see a Pro mini would be my idea of the perfect iPhone. To mix in the past with the present, to prepare it for the future, would be tantalizing.
But if not, just give us back TouchID, Apple.
Senegal vs Egypt live stream: how to watch AFCON final online from anywhere now
Africa's finest footballers have spent the last month seeing who will be crowned the kings of the continent at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations - and today it's either going to be Senegal or Egypt who take the glory. Here's how to watch a Senegal vs Egypt live stream online for the AFCON final, no matter where you are and, in some places, absolutely free!
Club teammates Sadio Mané and Mo Salah go head-to-head as Egypt and Senegal battle it out in the African Cup of Nations final today. The Egyptians are hoping to lift the trophy for the eight time, while a victory for Senegal would see them become African champions for the very first time.
After a month of AFCON action in Cameroon, we're finally down to grand finale. Having overcome Burkina Faso 3-1 in Wednesday night's semi-final in routine style, some pundits have suggested Senegal have barely got out of second gear during the tournament and have had a particularly kind route to the showpiece. Aliou Cissé's side are nevertheless favourites to win AFCON glory final.
While credit must be given to the Pharaohs for making it this far and through tough opposition, they have done so in fairly unspectacular style. Granted, their semi against hosts Cameroon was the far more difficult encounter but they not been in the greatest form with the ball at their feet.
Will a new name be etched on the trophy at full time or will Egypt take another AFCON title by sheer force or habit? Read on for all the details on how to watch a Senegal vs Egypt live stream wherever you are.
Senegal vs Egypt FREE live stream
Watch Senegal vs Egypt from anywhere
If you're abroad at any point during the AFCON , you probably won't be able to watch the footy like you normally would at home.
This is because of geo-blocking, a digital restriction that means certain streaming services are only accessible in the region they're based in. Don't sweat it, though, as you've got the option of using a VPN to tune to your preferred coverage wherever you are.
Use a VPN to live stream Senegal vs Egypt from anywhere
How to use a VPN
Using a VPN is as easy as one-two-three...
1. Download and install a VPN - as we say, our top choice is ExpressVPN
2. Connect to the appropriate server location - open the VPN app, hit 'choose location' and select the appropriate location, e.g 'UK' for BBC iPlayer.
3. Go to the broadcaster's stream - head to your home broadcaster's site or app and watch as if you were at home - so that's BBC iPlayer for UK.
US: how to watch an Senegal vs Egypt
Australia: FREE Senegal vs Egypt live stream
Canada: how to watch Senegal vs Egypt live stream