The development of the new iPhone SE 4 is in full swing. But, there’s still a while before launch, here’s what rumors and leaks have revealed about Apple’s rumored budget handset.
Apple doesn’t put too much emphasis on budget phones. However, the company launches an affordable iPhone SE every now and then. The last time we saw such a smartphone was in 2022 when the iPhone SE 3 debuted with decent specifications, a small form factor, and the then-latest Apple silicon.
The Cupertino company takes a straightforward approach with its iPhone SE line. It uses leftover parts from previous iPhone models to build a new phone at a lower price point. This saves Apple money on research and development costs.
Apple’s next SE model, the iPhone SE 4, will be based on the same formula. Leaks suggest it will borrow heavily from the iPhone 14 design and parts.
Rumored release timeline
A new report from The Information, citing the suppliers, says that the iPhone SE 4 is likely to go into mass production in October 2024.
If this is true, then the phone will likely start retailing in late October or early November, if launched along with the iPhone 16 lineup.
However, there is a possibility that the phone may see a release in 2025 – either in January or March.
If industry rumors are to be believed, the upcoming SE model may not debut before 2025. The iPhone SE 3 was announced during Apple’s Spring Event in 2022.
You can expect the iPhone SE 4 to debut sometime in the first quarter of 2025, probably during a March Event. Of course, this is just an estimated timeline. Things will get more apparent once we get closer to the launch.
Expected price
Apple is targeting a sub-$500 starting price for its fourth-generation iPhone SE model, claims tipster Revegnus. “The US launch price will either remain at $429 or see an increase of around 10%. Even if the price increases, the maximum target is to stay within $499.”
However, a new leak from Ice Universe reveals the iPhone SE 4 will see a huge price increase, with a starting price of $550.
The iPhone SE is a lot cheaper than the standard iPhones. The iPhone SE and SE 2 were both priced at $399. The recent iPhone SE 3 saw a $30 price increase, starting at $430.
Design & Display
iPhone SE 4 is going to be a significant upgrade as compared to the iPhone SE 3. It will have an entirely new design. In fact, Apple may use the iPhone 14’s chassis on the iPhone SE 4 to give it a modern look. You may see flat edges as the latest iPhones but the camera module on the rear could still house a single camera sensor.
The front may also see solid improvements. Apple could get rid of the Touch ID home button and give the iPhone SE 4 an all-screen design with an iPhone 14-like notch.
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Further, the iPhone SE 4 will switch to a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, ditching the proprietary Lightning port. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, as all iPhones are required to include a USB-C port per EU regulations. The Action Button Apple introduced with the iPhone 15 may be placed on the rear.
A 91Mobiles report shared CAD renders of the iPhone SE 4 which show it with the design changes we discussed above.
[Exclusive] Apple iPhone SE 4 CAD renders suggest new design, similar to iPhone 14 https://t.co/XIX5LRdgiw
— 91mobiles (@91mobiles) March 3, 2024
Another major upgrade could be in the display. The Elec claims the 2025 iPhone SE 4 will get a fancy new OLED display, instead of the LCD screen on all the older models. The panel is expected to be the same as the one used in the iPhone 13 and 14.
Apple isn’t using the OLED panels from the iPhone 15 series because that could bump up the price. Using an older panel saves Apple on research and development costs. Ice Universe says the iPhone is specifically using a 6.06-inch display with a 60Hz refresh rate and Face ID.
However, the latest leak from Weibo-based leaker Fixed Focus Digital casts doubt on the iPhone 14 chassis rumor. They claim the backplate manufacturing process for the iPhone SE 4 is “exactly the same” as the standard model in Apple’s upcoming iPhone 16 lineup, which is expected to be released in September.
Specs speculation
The iPhone SE 4 might get a big jump to a 48MP main camera. The current iPhone SE rocks a 12-megapixel shooter. It was previously rumored to pack the same A16 chip that powers the iPhone 14.
However, Ice Universe revealed the smartphone will get the A18 chip, which could be the same chipset that powers the iPhone 16.
Battery-wise, it might borrow the same 3279mAh battery as the iPhone 14, so expect similar uptime on that front. The iPhone SE 4 is expected to bring either 6GB or 8GB RAM and support 5G connectivity.
Software features
Since the iPhone SE 4 is rumored to get the Apple A18 chip, you can expect it to support the latest Apple Intelligence features. These features are only available on iPhones with the A17 Pro or newer, so the iPhone SE 4 should be on the list.
With Apple Intelligence, you’ll get an upgraded Siri with generative AI capabilities, giving you access to ChatGPT. Siri can help summarize notifications and news articles, and translate text in real-time.
The iPhone SE 4 should run iOS 18 out of the box, which means you’ll get all the cool new customization features. iOS 18 lets you customize your home screen with themed app icons and place them anywhere you want.
Should you wait for the iPhone SE 4?
iPhone SE 4 isn’t launching anytime soon, so waiting for it doesn’t make sense. If you think your current smartphone will last you another year, we suggest you wait to see what the iPhone SE 4 has to offer. Otherwise, you can pick up a new iPhone 14 or 15.
You can also consider checking out the iPhone 16, which will launch sooner than the iPhone SE 4 in September 2024.