After years of rumours, Apple may finally be readying the iPhone SE 4, a budget-friendly smartphone that could offer the latest features at a fraction of the iPhone 16's price.
Apple’s entry-level iPhones have been around since 2016, and the latest model (2022’s iPhone SE 3) is currently on sale for £429. They are popular with those who prefer a smaller device without the premium cost.
With the upcoming model, Apple is expected to give the SE’s design and specs a much-needed update, bringing it in line with the current generation of iPhones.
As such, it could be the cheapest way to access the company’s new AI software, known as Apple Intelligence. Currently, those photo-editing and emoji-generating features are destined for the pricer iPhone 16 and last year’s high-end Pro models.
Here’s everything we know about the rumoured device, which is sure to be a hit with budget-conscious shoppers come spring.
iPhone SE 4 design
Apple's annual updates to its iPhone lineup may appear minor to some but the longer gap between SE models makes the improvements much more apparent. The same should apply to the iPhone SE 4.
Leaving behind the SE 3’s physical home button, a relic not seen on a standard iPhone since 2017, the new model will adopt a contemporary, full-screen display, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
iPhone SE 4 size and display
Despite the new look, it may still be a throwback in some sense. The iPhone SE 4 could resemble the iPhone 14, complete with a divisive notch at the top of its significantly larger and sharper, 6.1-inch OLED display (versus the SE 3’s 4.7-inch LCD panel).
That means the Dynamic Island, the pill-shaped cutout that displays alerts, will remain exclusive to premium models for the foreseeable future.
All told, the SE 4’s borrowed display should come pretty close to the iPhone 16’s, offering similar resolution and pixel density, albeit with less maximum brightness.
iPhone SE 4 specs
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With the home button a thing of the past, the iPhone SE 4 may also ditch Touch ID for Face ID, allowing you to instantly unlock it with your beautiful visage.
The biggest upgrades will be under the hood, with Apple going full Victor Frankenstein by stitching together parts from its latest flagships to form the new smartphone.
Chip
To get Apple Intelligence running, the SE 4 could house the same base A18 chip as the standard iPhone 16. Unless Apple is planning to taper the amount of AI features available on the device, it will also have to double the RAM from 4GB presently to at least 8GB.
Camera
Although the SE 4 won’t be making the jump from one rear camera to two, the snapper should get raised to 48MP from 12MP, bringing with it 2x optical zoom for improved close-ups. The 7MP selfie camera could also be switched with a 12MP one. Both will apparently be exported from 2023’s iPhone 15.
5G
Notably, the SE 4 could also be the first iPhone to feature Apple’s self-built 5G modem, per 9to5Mac. While it’s unclear what benefits this will bring off the bat, there are rumblings that it could improve the battery life, especially in low power mode.
iPhone SE 4 release date
Apple has yet to confirm the existence of the device, so any release date predictions should be taken with a pinch of salt.
According to reputable tech leaker Ice Universe, the SE 4 could launch between March and May of 2025. Elsewhere, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Apple expert Ming Chi Kuo have separately indicated that it could launch early next year and in the first quarter.
iPhone SE 4 price
All those upgrades could come at a price. Apple is expected to charge around $499-$549 for the SE 4, which could work out to £499-£549 in the UK.
The higher cost would push it right to the top end of the mid-range category.
Summary
The iPhone SE 4 almost sounds too good to be true.
A repackaged version of the iPhone 14 would have been good enough but the addition of a new and improved camera and the latest A18 chip is a big bonus.
Thanks to its larger size and OLED display (a first for the SE range), it could feasibly challenge the Pixel 8a and the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE for the title of best mid-budget smartphone.
A cheaper device getting Apple Intelligence has got to hurt for iPhone 15 owners who missed out on the AI by a year. But, for everyone else, the SE 4 sounds like a winner. It should make for an ace birthday gift for mums, dads and grandparents – and a solid starter phone for teens.
