The iPhone SE 3 is reportedly one step closer to launch, as parts for the latest version of Apple's budget smartphone have been ordered and production has begun.

This is according to Taiwanese news site DigiTimes, which cites industry sources in a report claiming that the three companies scheduled to provide iPhone components have been ordered not to scale back shipments for Apple. With that in mind, we recommend waiting for the iPhone SE 3 rather than getting the current iPhone SE.

These components will not be used exclusively for the iPhone SE 3, but with the iPhone SE 3 expected to arrive in the first half of next year, it stands to reason that a significant portion of them will be used to assemble the new SE.

December is apparently the usual time when adjustments to order sizes are discussed after Apple analyzes the state of the smartphone market. However, if this report is accurate, it suggests that Apple is more positive about the market than previously thought.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Apple had instructed its suppliers not to order more iPhone 13 components, anticipating that demand would soften once supply chain issues were resolved. However, if the above report is true, that prediction appears to have changed from predicting a decline to predicting a more stable market.

The current second-generation iPhone SE was introduced in 2020, replacing the original iPhone SE after four years. However, Apple appears to be picking up the pace of its releases, as there are rumors of new iPhone SE models in both 2022 and 2023. The new model, possibly called the iPhone SE 3 or iPhone SE Plus, will reportedly feature the same 4.7-inch display and Touch ID home button design as the current SE and, like the iPhone 13 line, the 5G-capable A15 chipset.

It appears that the 2023 model could be a much bigger step forward than next year's version. The rumors suggest that Apple will upgrade the display size, but some believe that this model will not appear for another couple of years.

The iPhone SE, despite its increasing age, remains high on our list of best budget phones. As the most affordable route into the iOS ecosystem, it is an attractive offer for those who have shunned the more expensive iPhone 13 series. However, the SE with the A13 Bionic chipset does a great job with photography while offering performance that is nearly as good as the flagship iPhones and much better than comparable Android phones.

Update: The iPhone SE 3 is tipped to reach 1.4 billion users, thanks to 5G, which will allow the iPhone SE 3 to be the first iPhone to reach 1.4 billion users, thanks to 5G.