Why the ‘iPhone SE Plus’ makes extra sense than you suppose

Simply once we thought we’d acquired a deal with on subsequent spring’s iPhone SE 4 launch, a massively shocking leak comes alongside and throws every part into doubt.

The 4th-gen SE has been the topic of quite a few rumors ever for the reason that iPhone 16 got here out final month, from the return of the notch and the first Apple 5G modem to a lack of latest buttons and lenses. However one factor that the majority sources have agreed on is the essential concept that it’ll as soon as once more seem in a single measurement, primarily based on the chassis of a normal iPhone mannequin from the previous two to a few years: more than likely the iPhone 14.

That now seems to be out of the window. Pictures of 3D-printed dummy fashions have been posted by the Apple weblog Macotakara, and these clearly present two sizes: one primarily based on the iPhone 14, and one other bigger mannequin primarily based on the iPhone 14 Plus. This can be a new idea and, if correct, would come as a significant shock.

The iPhone SE has traditionally been Apple’s most cost-effective smartphone, nevertheless it has additionally been one of many smaller entries within the vary: with the mini not an choice, that is the handset prospects go for in the event that they discover fashionable smartphone design too cumbersome for his or her tastes (or pockets). The Third-gen SE is smaller than the iPhone 14 in each dimension and weighs about 16 % much less, so the anticipated 2025 redesign was already going to contain a specific amount of upscaling. So creating an SE Plus could be a significant rethink of what the SE is meant to supply.

IDG

IDG

IDG

However the transfer is sensible if you concentrate on the significance of Apple Intelligence. Apple nonetheless sells the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 however neither helps its AI platform. Each sale of a type of handsets is one other buyer who gained’t be contributing coaching information and serving to the corporate to meet up with ChatGPT and can be lacking out on the marquee iPhone characteristic of 2025. So the best could be to switch them as quickly as attainable with one thing of comparable value and spec, solely with the flexibility to run Apple Intelligence. The following SE suits the invoice completely, however provided that it is available in two sizes so there’s one thing to switch the 14/15 Plus as nicely.

Subsequent spring, then, Apple unveils the 4th-gen SE in two sizes, primarily based on the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus. This, coupled with the in-house 5G modem and A18 processor, and help for Apple Intelligence, is sufficient to generate loads of media protection and buyer curiosity, with out pushing up the worth an excessive amount of. But it surely additionally maneuvers Apple right into a place the place it might safely take away the whole 14- and 15-series iPhone households from its retailer, and from then on promote solely telephones that help its AI system. Neat, proper?

Nicely, perhaps. I solely stated it makes extra sense than you’d suppose, not that the plan is foolproof. Clearing out all of the unsold iPhone 14s and 15s nonetheless represents a significant logistical headache, and the SE model has been considerably tainted for the reason that unpopular Third-gen launch. It stays to be seen whether or not prospects can be ready to pay as a lot for an SE as they’d for an 18-month-old “full fats” iPhone.

For that matter, there are doubts over the leak itself. MacRumors, for one, describes the rumor as “extremely doubtful given earlier studies and Apple’s typical technique for its funds iPhone line.” Which is true, as I talk about above. And dummy fashions ought to by no means be taken as agency proof of something. Anybody can knock up a dummy mannequin.

Nonetheless, I wouldn’t dismiss the concept out of hand. It might be a radical transfer, however that’s what the SE line wants. For all the newest information and rumors, test our frequently up to date iPhone SE 4 superguide.