Simply weeks after the discharge of the iPhone 16, ideas are already turning to the extra inexpensive smartphone Apple plans to unveil early subsequent yr. In some ways this might be a much more fascinating and radical launch.
The iPhone SE is up to date much less regularly than the flagship fashions on the prime of the iPhone vary: the three fashions to date have arrived in 2016, 2020, and 2022, with the 4th-gen SE anticipated to debut in spring 2025. For that reason, it could be anticipated that these rarer occasions can be extra substantive, however that wasn’t the case with the Third-gen SE, which was, in truth a disappointment. So Apple owes us large for the 4th-gen mannequin–and it’d truly ship.
The expectation is that we’re about to get a long-overdue design revamp, away from the iPhone 8 chassis used for the final two fashions and into one thing resembling a contemporary smartphone. Extremely, it’d leap all the way in which ahead to an iPhone 16 shell, in keeping with credible sources. And with the Ninth-gen iPad discontinued earlier this yr, this could characterize the top of the Residence button that was as soon as such an iconic component of Apple’s cellular merchandise.
It’s been the consensus amongst pundits for a while that the 4th-gen SE might be a serious step ahead for the road, however Bloomberg leaker king Mark Gurman provides credibility and a few further element to the rumors. Basing his pronouncements on the testimony of “folks with information of the matter… who requested to not be recognized as a result of the plans aren’t public,” Gurman claims the following mannequin is codenamed V59 and is meant to assist Apple compete with low-end Android telephones in China.
On the design entrance, Gurman suggests the brand new SE will use an iPhone 14 quite than an iPhone 16 shell. This may nonetheless be a major step ahead from the antiquated iPhone 8 chassis, in fact, however would imply the inclusion of a notch: no Dynamic Island for SE patrons, sadly. Nevertheless it did all the time appear formidable that the SE would so carefully match a flagship telephone that might be solely six months outdated when it comes out.
Significantly because the 4th-gen SE will help one of many 16-series iPhones’ marquee options: Apple Intelligence. That seemingly means it can have an A18 processor with 8GB of RAM, one of many necessities for Apple Intelligence. As I’ve written elsewhere, this may simply make it the right Apple Intelligence system, and it definitely suggests we are able to anticipate a state-of-the-art processor and respectable complement of RAM. Previously, the iPhone SE has supplied up-to-date tech specs inside an older design, and its enchantment diverse in keeping with the exact age of that design: a chassis that might be 30 months outdated by subsequent spring appears like a smart compromise.
For all the most recent information and rumors, examine our iPhone SE 2025 superguide.