Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
Replace: October 14, 2024 (08:10 AM ET): We’ve got up to date our Apple iPhone SE 4 rumor hub with a leaked case.
Apple’s iPhone SE vary has lengthy been probably the most inexpensive new iPhone sequence you should buy. Coming in at underneath $500, these handsets nonetheless convey a strong processor, water resistance, and wi-fi charging.
The final iPhone SE mannequin dropped in 2022, however we’re anticipating Apple to announce a brand new mannequin sooner or later. Sadly, all present rumors level to a 2025 launch, because it appears Apple is ready a bit longer in between releases for its price range telephone. The excellent news is the iPhone SE 4 must be a a lot greater improve, because it’s instructed it’ll even undertake a brand new, extra fashionable design.
Let’s bounce proper in and speak about what we all know from the rumors!
Will there be an iPhone SE 4?
Apple hasn’t issued any form of affirmation that it’s engaged on an iPhone SE (4th technology). There have been quite a lot of leaks suggesting an iPhone SE 4 is probably going within the works, however even these are removed from a assure.
In saying so, the final two iPhone SE fashions had been standard due to their sub-flagship worth tags. So it looks like a foregone conclusion that Apple is engaged on a brand new mannequin. When wouldn’t it be launched? That’s a harder query.
What’s the most definitely iPhone SE 4 launch date?
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- Apple iPhone SE: March 21, 2016
- Apple iPhone SE 2020: April 15, 2020
- Apple iPhone SE 2022: March 8, 2022
Apple launched the second iPhone SE in 2020 and the third mannequin in 2022, so that you’d assume that the iPhone SE (4th technology) would arrive in 2024.
Sadly, that doesn’t seem like the case. We’ve got already handed the Spring window by which we might have probably seen a brand new price range iPhone. Apple additionally launched the iPhone 16 sequence in September, and the SE mannequin was nowhere to be seen. So the soonest we’re more likely to see the iPhone SE 4 is Spring of 2025.
In that vein, a rumor from July 2024 strongly suggests we may see the iPhone SE 4 between March and Could in 2025. This might make numerous sense, as that’s the place Apple likes to debut these telephones, as you’ll be able to see from the listing above.
Bloomberg additionally reported in October that the brand new iPhone mannequin is scheduled for launch in early 2025 alongside new iPad fashions.
For now, our cash is on a March or April 2025 launch date.
What specs and options may the iPhone SE 4 have?
The iPhone SE 2022 has usually provided a flagship processor in a pocket-friendly kind issue. Apple additionally introduced a few premium extras to the sequence in recent times, specifically wi-fi charging and water resistance.
We’ve seen a rise in iPhone SE 4 leaks in latest weeks and months, so right here’s what we’ve gathered and what we predict it’ll have.
Design
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The iPhone SE 2020 and 2022 each provided dated designs that had been broadly consistent with 2017’s iPhone 8 sequence. Will the corporate hold this design for the third time? Fortunately, all indicators level to no.
Apple-watching analyst Ming Chi-Kuo beforehand claimed in February 2023 that the iPhone SE (4th technology) would have a 6.1-inch display and could be a “minor modification” of the iPhone 14. This instructed a bigger, extra fashionable design was in retailer. The show measurement declare was echoed by The Elec in March 2023.
In fact, the analyst’s feedback got here earlier than he instructed that the brand new iPhone SE wasn’t within the works for 2024. However it looks like a chance that any display measurement enhance could be accompanied by a tweaked design of some sort — hopefully lowering the dimensions of these bezels particularly.
Whereas there weren’t many iPhone SE 4 leaks round design after that, March of 2024 introduced us the primary leaked renders, courtesy of 91Mobiles, as mirrored above. The renders point out an iPhone 14-esque entrance, with a again that has a single rear digital camera. We will see the array of Face ID sensors in these, and in addition a USB-C port. Per these renders, the iPhone SE 4 is anticipated to have a 6.1-inch show, up from the iPhone SE 3’s 4.7-inch show. There’s likelihood that Apple is reusing the identical shell for the iPhone SE 4 because the iPhone 14, because the machine dimensions are stated to be an equivalent 147.7 x 71.5 x 7.7mm.
If that’s not sufficient to persuade you {that a} main redesign could also be within the SE’s future, a leak in April from GSM Area claims to have metallic case manufacturing dummies backing the above designs. A leaked specs desk from July 2024 additionally corroborates these designs, so we’re feeling fairly assured about them.
The iPhone 14-inspired design was corroborated by Bloomberg too, which claimed it will ditch the house button and provide a show notch and thinner bezels.
Leaker Sonny Dickson shared case designs for the iPhone SE 4. These circumstances showcase an extended digital camera island, presumably with a two-camera setup.
Nevertheless, this doesn’t align with beforehand leaked renders, so take it with a pinch of salt.
Specs
We’ve already heard claims that the iPhone SE 4 can be geared up with a 6.1-inch display, however it’s additionally believed that this could possibly be an OLED panel. This might be the primary time we see an OLED display on an iPhone SE mannequin, after years of Apple utilizing an LCD panel as an alternative. Backing up these claims, a report from The Elec says Apple’s suppliers have all proposed their costs for his or her OLED shows. It’s believed the iPhone SE 4 will reuse the iPhone 13’s or iPhone 14’s show. The swap to OLED was later corroborated by Nikkei Asia.
When the information of the OLED display first broke, it was reported that there was a bidding conflict between Samsung, BOE, and Tianma to be Apple’s provider. The Elec later reported BOE would be the major provider and LG Show has gained the rights to be the secondary provider.
Ming Chi-Kuo additionally claimed in February that the brand new machine would pack an Apple-designed modem as an alternative of a Qualcomm part. He asserted that this modem would solely help sub-6GHz 5G for now as an alternative of the sooner however extra temperamental mmWave normal. Nevertheless, a July 2024 leak said that Apple continues to be engaged on whether or not to drop Qualcomm for the iPhone SE 4.
9to5Mac made a number of claims in October 2024, and one in all these assertions was that the brand new iPhone SE would have an in-house 5G modem in spite of everything. It additionally claimed that the telephone would have a 48MP essential digital camera (no ultrawide right here) and a 12MP selfie shooter.
For context, Apple has been engaged on an in-house mobile modem for ages now, however this has confirmed to be a troublesome, protracted problem. So we’re undecided if we’ll truly see it on the iPhone SE 4. It’s additionally value noting that Qualcomm lately signed a brand new cope with Apple to supply Qualcomm modems inside iPhones in 2024, 2025, and 2026, so what’s actually happening is anybody’s guess.
We’re anticipating a much bigger, OLED display and a flagship-level chipset from the iPhone SE 4, however there is not a lot else to know simply but.
Twitter tipster Unknownz21 claimed the iPhone SE (4th technology) would get USB-C, Face ID, and a single rear digital camera. This might be the primary time we see face unlock on an iPhone SE mannequin.
MacRumors issued its personal slew of obvious iPhone SE 4 particulars. It corroborated claims of an OLED panel, USB-C, and Face ID. It additionally asserted that the brand new iPhone would provide a 48MP single rear digital camera. The outlet confirmed that Apple was testing variants of the iPhone 15 Professional Max and iPhone SE 4 with customized modems. However the iPhone 15 Professional Max shipped with a Qualcomm modem, so these variants are presumably for inner testing solely.
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
The selection of chipset isn’t identified simply but, however all three iPhone SE fashions used the identical processor as the newest mainline iPhones on the time. Which means the unique mannequin used the A9 chip contained in the iPhone 6S sequence, whereas the second-generation iPhone SE used the A13 chip contained in the iPhone 11 vary. Lastly, the iPhone SE 2022 used the A15 processor which debuted within the iPhone 13 sequence.
Which means the iPhone SE 4 will use no matter chipset the newest, commercially out there mainline iPhones are utilizing, proper? Not so quick. Apple has made the choice to successfully break up the mainline iPhone sequence in half, with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus caught with 2022’s A16 Bionic chip whereas the iPhone 15 Professional fashions obtained the 2023 A17 Professional processor. So we predict there’s a chance that the iPhone SE mannequin could possibly be lumped with an older (however nonetheless beefy) chipset as properly.
However, 9to5Mac‘s October report factors to the iPhone SE 4 packing an Apple A18 chip. That’s encouraging information for options like Apple Intelligence.
Different specs aren’t forthcoming from trusted sources simply but, however we’d think about {that a} show measurement bump is also accompanied by a battery capability enhance.
What may the iPhone SE 4 worth be?
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
- Apple iPhone SE 2016: $399
- Apple iPhone SE 2020: $399
- Apple iPhone SE 2022: $429
The primary two iPhone SE fashions had been pegged at an incredible worth of $399, however the iPhone SE 2022 had a $30 worth hike to a still-attractive $429. We’d like to see Apple sustaining this price ticket, however we’re not optimistic.
Loads of Android telephone makers upped their costs within the final yr or so resulting from inflation and different elements. Apple did convey a worth enhance for the iPhone 15 Professional Max, too, so it appears probably that the iPhone SE (4th technology) may obtain a worth bump.
Including credence to this concept, a July 2024 leak instructed Apple may go anyplace from $499 to $549 for this new telephone. Nevertheless, we predict Apple would need to do no matter it might probably to maintain the iPhone SE 4 underneath the $500 mark to maintain it interesting for customers who assume the $799 entry level for the mainline iPhones is an excessive amount of.
This may probably be the final bit of knowledge we discover out, so now we have fairly a methods to go earlier than we’ll know for positive.
Must you look forward to the iPhone SE 4?
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
The truth that there is no such thing as a stable phrase on an iPhone SE 4 launch means you may be ready for a really very long time for the brand new mannequin to interrupt cowl. So we wouldn’t advise you to attend for this telephone.
There are just a few budget-conscious choices for those who’re an Apple fan, such because the iPhone 14 ($604 at Amazon) or the iPhone SE 2022 ($429 at Amazon). These telephones nonetheless present a high-performance expertise with a few premium bells and whistles. And naturally, you’re shopping for into the Apple ecosystem of providers.
In any other case, there are many nice choices within the Android area, such because the Google Pixel 8a ($499 at Amazon) and the Samsung Galaxy A55 5G ($387 at Amazon). Each telephones convey respectable replace pledges and water resistance. However the Pixel 8a additionally brings flagship-level cameras, the very succesful Tensor G3 chip, and wi-fi charging.