Summary
Although Apple’s flagship iPhones are typically the focus of attention, the iPhone SE is an excellent option for people who are looking to save money on their mobile device purchases. If you are looking for an iPhone that won’t put a dent in your finances, the SE is the model to go for.
In 2016, Apple released the first iteration of the iPhone SE. In 2020 and 2022, the company updated the technology of the iPhone SE by giving it more contemporary components. As opposed to the regular iPhone, which receives updates once every year, the iPhone SE typically receives updates once every two years or so. Consequently, this indicates that a new iPhone SE 4 should be released this year; nevertheless, the situation is not as straightforward with regard to this specific model.
The following is a list of all that we know about the rumored iPhone SE 4 thus far.
iPhone SE 4: the date of its release and its price
It appeared like a one-and-done thing when the iPhone SE was originally released in 2016, when it was first released. After the release of the third edition of the iPhone SE in 2022, we did not see another iPhone SE until the year 2020.
On the basis of this, it would seem that the year 2024 is an appropriate period for a refresh. On the other hand, the rumors have been all over the place. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, there were prior claims that the iPhone SE 4, which was initially slated for 2024, was completely scrapped. This information contradicts the original plan. Subsequently, Kuo provided more evidence by stating that the project has been resurrected, despite the fact that it may not be realized until the year 2025.
To put it another way, the release timetable for an iPhone SE 4 might very well be considered very uncertain. It should come this year if it is to follow the trend that has been seen recently. In spite of this, it is rather ambiguous since there was a gap of four years between the first and second versions.
When it comes to the cost, there have been no rumors to speak about or speculations about it. On the other hand, given that the iPhone SE is regarded as Apple’s “budget” phone, we ought to anticipate that it will have a price tag that is comparable to that of the present SE. Beginning at $429 for the 64GB variant, the iPhone SE (2022) gradually increases in price to $479 for the 128GB model and $579 for the 256GB model.
Although the price of the iPhone SE 4 may go up somewhat, it will still be lower than the price of the iPhone 16 or the iPhone 17 in its mainstream configuration.
Design for the iPhone SE 4
It was the iPhone 5s that served as the inspiration for the first iPhone SE, which was released in 2016, and the iPhone SE 2 and iPhone SE 3 featured the same design as the iPhone 8. However, it seems that the chassis design of a possible iPhone SE 4 might benefit from a tweak.
There are rumors that suggest that if the iPhone SE 4 is going to be released, it will have a display that is 6.1 inches in size, which is comparable to the display that Apple now provides on the mainstream iPhones. Consequently, this indicates that the design of the iPhone SE 4 might be either the older iPhone XR design or the more recent iPhone 14 design. Both of these designs are available to us. The speculations about the design of the iPhone XR surfaced significantly earlier, perhaps around the year 2019, but the design reports for the iPhone 14 are more recent (beginning in 2023).
In any case, if the iPhone SE is designed with a 6.1-inch display, the home button for Touch ID will be removed, putting it in line with the other models that use Face ID. On the other hand, it is quite improbable that we will be able to see the Dynamic Island since the notch will almost certainly be back.
The Action button, which was first introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro and serves as a replacement for the silent/ring toggle, may also be included in the iPhone SE 4 in the future. Additionally, in order to make it more comparable to the iPhones that are already in production, it will switch from using Lightning to USB-C.
A display on the iPhone SE 4
The LCD technology was used for the display in every iPhone SE generation that came before it. Therefore, it is possible that Apple will transition to OLED with the release of the iPhone SE 4.
Since the release of the iPhone 12, Apple has been adopting OLED displays for their iPhone offerings. It would be intelligent for Apple to convert to OLED in order to make the iPhone SE 4 more comparable to the flagship models while maintaining a price point that is more affordable.
The blacks of OLED displays are deeper and more rich, and the contrast is higher than that of LCD panels. If the transition is going to take place, it would be a significant improvement for the iPhone, that is cheaper.
Specs of the iPhone SE 4
It is now the case that the A15 Bionic processor, which was first released with the iPhone 13 line in 2021, is used by the iPhone SE 3 (2022).
As is customary, the iPhone SE has traditionally used a processor from a previous generation in order to make it more cost-effective; thus, we may anticipate that the iPhone SE 4 will be the same. It is quite probable that the A16 processor will be included in the iPhone SE 4 if it is released this year; however, the A17 chip may be included if the iPhone SE 4 is released in 2025.
Additionally, there have been reports that Apple has been working on an in-house 5G processor, which may be included in the iPhone SE 4 in the near future. In 2019, Apple acquired Intel’s modem business, which has resulted in the firm developing and using its own modems in future products rather than depending on Qualcomm. This would be the effect of Apple’s acquisition of Intel’s modem business.
Other specifications, such as the amount of RAM and storage, have not been discussed. Nevertheless, we may anticipate a storage capacity of up to 256 gigabytes, with a minimum of 64 gigabytes to begin with.
Cameras and the iPhone SE 4
Up to this point, every single generation of the iPhone SE has only included a single-lens camera, and it is quite probable that the iPhone SE 4 will continue this tradition. As a matter of fact, the iPhones sold in the basic model feature twin camera setups, whilst the iPhones sold in the Pro model have triple lenses. Keeping the SE at a single lens would prevent it from possibly consuming the other models, which would be a negative outcome.
On the other hand, it is quite possible that Apple will increase the single camera on the iPhone SE 3 to 48 megapixels, while it is presently just 12 megapixels. Regrettably, there is no information available on the number of megapixels that the selfie camera will have.
Lifespan of the iPhone SE 4; battery
As a result of its small size, the iPhone SE suffers from a battery life that is among its most significant shortcomings. The battery capacity of the iPhone SE 3 is now only approximately 2,018 mAh, which is much lower than the capacity of the batteries found in top iPhone models.
However, if Apple is going to go to a design for the iPhone 14, this would imply that there would be more area for a bigger battery. The battery capacity of the iPhone 14 is around 3,279 mAh, which is much more than that of the iPhone SE.
In addition, if Apple were to switch to an OLED display, the company would need a larger battery to power it than it does for an LCD panel now. It is also possible that a more recent A-series processor may result in improved power efficiency, which would ultimately contribute to a longer battery life of the device.
