Apple Reportedly Cutting iPhone SE Production Just Weeks After Launch Due to 'Weaker-Than-Expected' Demand

Apple is reportedly cutting production for the new third-generation iPhone SE just weeks after launch due to uncertainty caused by current global conflict and alleged low demand, according to a report from Nikkei Asia citing unnamed sources.

iPhone SE 3 stacked
According to the report, Apple has informed suppliers to cut back on production of the ‌iPhone‌ SE for this quarter by as much as two to three million units, citing "weaker-than-expected demand."

Unlike the cut in ‌iPhone‌ SE production caused partly by low demand, Apple is also cutting down on the production of the ‌iPhone‌ 13 series, but sources familiar with the matter told Nikkei Asia this cutback is due to seasonal demand change. Per the report, Apple is also cutting the production of AirPods but fails to specify which model or models.

Coinciding with the report, reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today in a tweet that he is cutting estimates on shipments of the new ‌iPhone‌ SE from 25 to 30 million to around 15 to 20 million units for 2022. Kuo said the lower shipments were a result of low demand.


Apple released the new ‌iPhone‌ SE earlier this month with the same 4.7-inch form factor as the previous model but with the addition of 5G. The new ‌iPhone‌ SE is the only ‌iPhone‌ in the lineup that still features a physical Home Button and Touch ID but now benefits from the faster and more energy-efficient A15 Bionic chip. The ‌iPhone‌ SE starts at $429 with 64GB of storage.

See our roundup to learn everything you need to about Apple's latest ‌iPhone‌.

Update: Two Apple suppliers responsible for AirPods have refuted Nikkei Asia's report that production has been cut, according to posts shared on Twitter by analyst Ming-Chu Kuo.

Tag: Nikkei
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Apple iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Announces iPhone 16e With A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence, Pricing Starts at $599

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:02 am PST by
Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued. The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the ...
iphone 17 pro asherdipps

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Aluminum Frame Instead of Titanium Frame

Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:02 pm PST by
Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models. In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone...
apple launch feb 2025 alt

Here Are the New Apple Products We're Still Expecting This Spring

Thursday February 20, 2025 5:06 am PST by
Now that Apple has announced its new more affordable iPhone 16e, our thoughts turn to what else we are expecting from the company this spring. There are three product categories that we are definitely expecting to get upgraded before spring has ended. Keep reading to learn what they are. If we're lucky, Apple might make a surprise announcement about a completely new product category. M4...
iPhone 17 Roundup Feature 2

iPhone Design to Change 'Significantly' This Year

Monday February 17, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple is set to "significantly change" the iPhone's design language later this year, according to a Weibo leaker. In a new post, the user known "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone's design is "starting to change significantly" this year. The "iPhone 17 Air" reportedly features a "horizontal, bar-shaped" design on the rear, likely referring to an elongated camera bump. On the other...
apple launch feb 2025

Tim Cook Teases an 'Apple Launch' Next Wednesday

Thursday February 13, 2025 8:07 am PST by
In a social media post today, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," he said, with an #AppleLaunch hashtag. The post includes a short video with an animated Apple logo inside a circle. Cook did not provide an exact time for the launch, or share any other specific details, so...
Generic iOS 18

Here's When Apple Will Release iOS 18.4

Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:38 am PST by
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple updated its iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia pages to give a narrower timeline on when the next updates are set to launch. All three pages now state that new Apple Intelligence features and languages will launch in early April, an update from the more broader April timeframe that Apple provided before. The next major point updates will be iOS ...
iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Coming Next Week With These New Features for Your iPhone

Friday February 14, 2025 6:18 am PST by
The first iOS 18.4 beta for iPhones should be just around the corner, and the update is expected to include many new features and changes. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects the iOS 18.4 beta to be released by next week. Below, we outline what to expect from iOS 18.4 so far. Apple Intelligence for Siri Siri is expected to get several enhancements powered by Apple Intelligence on iOS...
Apple 2025 Thumb 1

Two of Apple's Oldest Products Are Finally Getting Updated This Year

Friday February 14, 2025 6:03 am PST by
Apple released the HomePod mini in November 2020, followed by the AirTag in May 2021, and both still remain first-generation products. Fortunately, rumors suggest that both the HomePod mini and the AirTag will finally be updated at some point this year. Below, we recap rumors about the HomePod mini 2 and AirTag 2. HomePod mini 2 In January 2025, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple is ...

Top Rated Comments

Fried_Gold Avatar
38 months ago
Surprise surprise not many people want an iPhone 8 design in 2022.
Score: 96 Votes (Like | Disagree)
berrymetal Avatar
38 months ago
I get the whole "I just need a smaller iPhone" crowd, but I think it's foolish on Apple to count on that small audience without at least having a design refresh. Totally expected
Score: 72 Votes (Like | Disagree)
123 Avatar
38 months ago
Maybe that ten year old design doesn't cut it anymore when every cheap China device looks way more modern and costs a fraction of the price.
Score: 52 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DragonSky Avatar
38 months ago
Upgraded from a SE1 to the new SE. Love the thing. Good battery life. Useful size and the camera is pretty good. Ok the cost was a little higher than I would like but it’s doing what I need. Happy.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Danfango Avatar
38 months ago
Market insight failure.

If you want a crap phone, you probably don't want that crap phone because it's too expensive. If you wan't a good phone, that's not it. If you want an Apple crap phone, you're probably just going to buy a 13 on contract and pay monthly and not have a crap phone.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jeffpeng Avatar
38 months ago

Surprise surprise not many people want an iPhone 8 design in 2022.
I do. And my SE 2020 is still fine. ?

I guess the actual problem is that most people this phone is for already have the SE2020. And there is no good reason to upgrade now again. Plus those folks, me included, keep the damn thing until it can’t do something important anymore or just breaks. Not gonna happen in 2 years. That why I was kinda surprised they even bothered to upgrade it. Especially since the A13 is 7nm, and that is dirt cheap as of now - so cheap they put it in a display just to drive the webcam and speakers.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)