The iPhone SE series has been popular since the first model was released in 2016. It’s no wonder, as it offers the core Apple smartphone experience at a fraction of the price.
Apple’s newest iPhone SE was released in 2022. While it’s an impressive phone in many ways, the iPhone 8-style design is quite different from the latest iPhone 15 handsets.
Many fans are desperately waiting for Apple to update the look of the cheaper iPhone. A fourth generation is likely, although rumors about the phone are inconsistent and it’s possible it never arrives.
Here’s everything we know so far.
When will the iPhone SE 4 be released?
One of the biggest mysteries of the iPhone SE 4 is whether or not it will show up.
Apple Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported in January 2023 that plans for the iPhone SE in 2024 had been canceled, before reporting in February 2023 that the project had been relaunched. Then, in April 2023, Kuo declared that the model he was referring to could only be a technical prototype and “that there are no plans for mass production and sales”.
The iPhone SE series does not release on a fixed schedule, as is the case with flagship iPhones that release every year. Here’s when previous models were released:
In 2016, Apple introduced the first iPhone SE, followed by an updated model with more storage options in 2017, then improved versions in 2020 and 2022. If this biennial release schedule continues, a new model should arrive before the end of 2024.
A report from MacRumors appears to confirm that Apple is indeed working on the new iPhone SE. However, analyst Jeff Pu claims it won’t launch until 2025.
Another report from Korean site The Elec reinforces this, claiming that manufacturing of the new iPhone SE is expected to be delayed until 2025. It appears that Apple is relying solely on a company called BOE for the supply of displays for the iPhone SE 4. , and this panel manufacturer is experiencing “performance issues”.
At this point, we don’t know which of these dates is more likely, or whether Apple is even considering releasing another iPhone SE.
How much will the iPhone SE 4 cost?
Apple has increased the price of the phone slightly in recent years. Here’s how much previous models cost when they initially launched:
Given this trend, it’s possible that the iPhone SE 4 could also be more expensive than its predecessor, especially if it gets an updated design.
However, to keep it attractive, Apple will want to avoid it being too close to the iPhone 15’s $799/£799 starting price.
What specs and features will the iPhone SE 4 have?
If Apple does eventually release the iPhone SE 4, it will likely be a significant update, if rumors and leaks are to be believed.
Design and display
Reports from MacRumors and X leaker Unknownz21 suggest that the iPhone SE 4 will essentially be a slightly modified version of the iPhone 14, boasting a 6.1-inch full-screen design.
Apple is expected to give the iPhone SE 4 a notch instead of a Touch ID Home button. However, it’s unclear whether the Face ID and TrueDepth camera system will be as advanced as on flagship iPhones, given the SE’s expected price.
The iPhone SE is currently the last iPhone model to feature an LCD screen, but it looks like it will be moving to OLED technology. As The Elec reports, the iPhone SE 4’s screen will be supplied by China’s BOE and would mirror the one featured in the standard iPhone 14 model.
Unknownz21 also complaints that the iPhone SE 4 will introduce an action button, replacing the mute switch on the side of the phone. However, given that this feature is currently exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro models, the usual mute switch seems more likely at the moment – this could happen by the time Apple is ready to release it, however.
It would be a big surprise not see a USB-C port on the iPhone SE 4, given that it is mandated by the EU and on all iPhone 15 models. On X (formerly Twitter), creator Shea made renders of this what the phone might look like:
However, more recent information shared by leaker Majin Bu on X suggests that the iPhone SE 4 could adopt a design closely resembling the current iPhone 16 still in development, with the dynamic island and a single vertical rear camera.
The dimensions shown are similar to the iPhone XR 2018, measuring approximately 150.9mm in height, 75.7mm in width, and 8.3mm in depth. Majin Bu urges caution regarding these purported design details, noting the preliminary nature of the information.
Performance
Details regarding the iPhone SE 4’s chip are limited, but if the phone is indeed undergoing a substantial redesign based on the iPhone 14, it would make sense to anticipate the inclusion of Apple’s A15 Bionic chip.
For reference, the existing iPhone SE is powered by the same A15 chip found in the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models. Therefore, it is possible that the iPhone SE 4 will feature a previous generation chip when it is released. exit. That’s why we expect it to feature the Apple A16 Bionic chip.
Cameras
The latest iPhone SE is equipped with a 12Mp camera. The upcoming iPhone SE 4 could also opt for a single-lens camera setup to manage costs, but there is speculation that it could feature the 48MP primary lens used in the iPhone 15 (shown below) .
Chris Martin / Foundry
However, reports claim that Apple has explored different models for the iPhone SE 4’s cameras. Therefore, the final decision remains uncertain and it is possible that a final choice has not yet been reached.
Battery charging
Assuming the iPhone SE 4 has a larger total footprint than its predecessors, a bigger battery is also likely.
According to a source close to MacRumors, the iPhone SE 4 would supposedly reuse the battery from the iPhone 14. If true, that 3,279 mAh cell would represent a 60% increase over the 2022 model.
Even with its modest 2,018 mAh capacity, the iPhone SE 3’s current battery manages to provide two more hours of video playback compared to the SE 2. This suggests that potential improvements in battery life with the ‘iPhone SE 4 could be quite important.
However, we do not have any certain information on this and it is just speculation.
Software
The iPhone SE 4 will most likely debut with iOS 17 if it arrives earlier this year.
However, if it releases in 2025, it will surely run iOS 18 right out of the box.
Connectivity
Ming Chi Kuo declared in April 2023, Apple was testing the in-house 5G baseband chip with the iPhone SE 4 prototype. A report from MacRumors also confirms this.
The current iPhone SE already has 5G technology, and it’s likely that the next-generation iteration will receive an upgraded 5G chip with expanded support for additional bands.
There is also speculation that it could even be the first iPhone to incorporate Apple’s in-house modem chip, although this remains uncertain at the moment.
That’s everything we currently know about the highly anticipated iPhone SE 4. We’ll update this article when we find out anything new.
In the meantime, be sure to check out our table of the best iPhones you can buy right now.
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