iPhone SE 4 Speculation: Apple’s Budget Powerhouse Set for Major Enhancements!

Apple’s budget-friendly smartphone might make a significant return in 2025. The $429 iPhone SE, which is Apple’s baseline variant, is anticipated to receive a substantial update next year, aligning it closely with the company’s latest iPhones, as reported by Bloomberg and various analysts.

In contrast to Apple’s premier iPhone lineup, the launch schedule of the iPhone SE is somewhat unpredictable. The inaugural generation SE debuted in 2016, succeeded by the second iteration in 2020 and the third in 2022. Additionally, Apple has not indicated whether it intends to unveil new iPhone SE models in the future, as it seldom comments on forthcoming products. With speculations pointing toward the iPhone SE adopting the iPhone 14’s aesthetics, the upcoming version could mark the discontinuation of the home button and embrace larger screens.

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There’s ample opportunity for Apple to enhance its economical iPhone further. While my associate Patrick Holland commended the 2022 iPhone SE for its affordable price and familiar home button, he criticized it for lacking night mode capabilities and for its outdated design. Android rivals such as Samsung and Google have also advanced their similarly priced budget smartphones in recent years. The Google Pixel 8A and Samsung Galaxy A55 5G both showcase features that were once exclusive to high-end devices, including elevated refresh rates and multiple cameras.

It’s impossible to predict precisely what Apple will unveil until the company makes an official declaration. Drawing from forecasts and insights from Bloomberg, MacRumors, and well-informed analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from TF International Securities, alongside various leaks and Apple’s product introduction history, here’s what we anticipate from Apple’s forthcoming affordable iPhone.

Apple did not reply to a request for comments regarding a potential future iPhone SE when this article was initially released.

Watch this: Apple Intelligence Insights: Don’t Anticipate Major Alterations

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iPhone SE 4 might debut in early 2025

There has been considerable discussion concerning the iPhone SE 4’s release schedule in recent years. However, an August report from the frequently reliable Mark Gurman of Bloomberg indicates that a new iPhone SE could launch in early 2025. This implies it may arrive in the initial quarter, which aligns with Apple’s past iPhone SE launch periods. The first and third generation models, for instance, both debuted in March.

Additionally, the analyst Kuo reported in October that mass production of the new iPhone SE is set to commence in December 2024, further supporting the notion that an early 2025 launch could be in the cards for Apple’s next compact smartphone.

The discussions arise after years of uncertainty surrounding the iPhone SE’s future. In 2019, Kuo indicated that Apple was developing an iPhone SE with a full-screen design akin to the iPhone XR, as MacRumors reported at that time. Since then, Apple has rolled out two iterations of the iPhone SE that maintain the traditional iPhone 8-esque design, raising doubts about whether the model Kuo referenced was canceled or postponed.

Kuo’s forecasts for the iPhone SE 4 in 2023 have also been inconsistent. He stated last January that an iPhone SE initially slated for 2024 was canceled, but later clarified that the project had been revived. He altered his projection again in April 2023, suggesting that the model he previously mentioned might merely be a hardware prototype intended for Apple’s in-house 5G baseband chip. His earlier remarks also implied that the iPhone SE 4 would feature this 5G component.

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Nevertheless, recent reports, including one from MacRumors, suggest that Apple is indeed in the process of developing a new iPhone SE that purportedly includes some substantial enhancements.

It will probably feature a new processor and Apple Intelligence

The iPhone SE typically shares the same processor as Apple’s latest flagship iPhone. For instance, the 2022 iPhone SE incorporates the same chip as the iPhone 13, which was unveiled in September 2021. As Apple’s most recent mobile chip is generally the iPhone SE’s standout characteristic, it’s challenging to foresee Apple deviating from that trend.

However, this is more crucial than ever as Apple Intelligence, the company’s suite of cutting-edge AI functionalities, relies on the latest chips. The iPhone 16 series and last year’s Pro models are the only iPhones capable of operating…

these aspects for the time being. However, referencing Apple’s past and Bloomberg’s analysis, which indicates that the iPhone SE 4 will incorporate Apple Intelligence, it seems that this could evolve in the months ahead. 

Apple Intelligence encompasses fresh AI-driven features including the capability to rewrite, condense, and edit text, a revamped version of Siri that excels in interpreting commands even if you stutter, the function to remove elements from photographs, and summaries for notifications and messages, among various other functionalities. The initial introduction of Apple Intelligence was part of Apple’s iOS 18.1 update, while additional features — like creating personalized emoji — are anticipated to be added later in iOS 18.2. 

Moreover, the upcoming iPhone SE may be equipped with a 5G chipset designed by Apple, according to Kuo. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether this projection still holds, as he subsequently updated his forecast to suggest that the device was likely an engineering prototype meant to evaluate that 5G chip. MacRumors also states that the iPhone SE 4 will feature an Apple-manufactured 5G modem. 

A design reminiscent of the iPhone 14 featuring an OLED display

If the company is indeed developing another iPhone SE, it will probably feature a 6.1-inch display akin to Apple’s contemporary flagship models. In contrast, the existing iPhone SE has a 4.7-inch display with thick bezels at the top and bottom, similar to the iPhone 8. 

Specifically, the iPhone SE 4 is anticipated to closely resemble the iPhone 14, which Apple released in 2022. A MacRumors article noted in September 2023 that the iPhone SE 4 would utilize a modified variant of the iPhone 14’s frame and reiterated this point once more in November.  Bloomberg’s analysis also indicates that the iPhone SE 4 will bear resemblance to Apple’s flagship model from two years past. 

It’s not solely the design that is set for an enhancement; the display is expected to see upgrades as well. Numerous reports, including those from Kuo, MacRumors, Bloomberg, The Elec and Nikkei Asia, suggest that the next iPhone SE will opt for an OLED display instead of an LCD. This is significant because OLED generally provides enhanced contrast and deeper blacks, and these types of displays are consistent across the rest of Apple’s iPhone series.

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The iPhone SE is likely to feature a larger battery

The upcoming iPhone SE might inherit the battery from the iPhone 14 as well, as stated by MacRumors. Should the blog’s earlier claims regarding the iPhone SE 4’s alignment with the iPhone 14 prove accurate, a larger battery would be essential to support its expanded display. Apple does not reveal the battery capacities for its devices, but it claims that the iPhone 14 can provide five additional hours of video playback compared to the third-generation iPhone SE. Considering the new chipset and larger battery anticipated in the forthcoming iPhone SE, it seems probable that Apple’s next budget iPhone could experience notable enhancements in battery performance. 

Farewell Touch ID, welcome Face ID

Enthusiasts of Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint sensor might be disappointed. MacRumors indicates that the subsequent iPhone SE will feature Face ID, akin to other contemporary iPhones, rather than Apple’s fingerprint sensor. This contradicts Kuo’s 2019 report, which suggested that the future iPhone SE would showcase a reduced notch area void of Face ID and Touch ID integrated into the power button. However, given that Kuo’s insights are nearly five years old, that information may now be obsolete. 

It may feature a 48MP camera, USB-C, and Action button

Apple’s forthcoming budget-friendly iPhone may share several features with Apple’s latest devices. As Apple transitioned to USB-C with the iPhone 15 lineup to adhere to new European regulations, it appears likely that the iPhone SE 4 could also abandon the Lightning connector. MacRumors also asserts that the iPhone SE 4 will incorporate USB-C. 

A rather unexpected mention in MacRumors’ report is that the iPhone SE 4 might adopt the Action button, which is a new button for configuring shortcuts that is currently exclusive to the iPhone 16 series, the iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. If this turns out to be accurate, it would further indicate Apple’s intention to standardize the Action button across its iPhone range, following its introduction to standard models earlier this year. 

According to MacRumors, a 48-megapixel single camera could also be in the works for the upcoming iPhone SE. This would indicate another resemblance it might share with the iPhone 15 and 16, which are also equipped with 48-megapixel primary cameras. If this information is indeed true, the iPhone SE will only have one rear camera, unlike Apple’s pricier models. The standard iPhone 15 comes with wide and ultra-wide cameras, while the Pro versions include wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto cameras. 

However, Apple unveiled the “Fusion” camera on this year’s regular iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, which the company claims enables a 2x optical quality zoom without a dedicated telephoto lens. While reports do not specify if the iPhone SE 4 will include this camera, it wouldn’t be surprising if Apple decided to implement it to compensate for the iPhone SE’s single-camera setup. 

If the speculations hold true, the fourth-generation iPhone SE could modernize Apple’s compact, budget-friendly smartphone, aligning it more closely with the rest of Apple’s collection. Depending on the pricing, it might serve as an excellent choice for individuals seeking a more contemporary iPhone without the additional features offered by the iPhone 16, such as the Camera Control button.