The fourth-generation iPhone SE is ready to convey a few multitude of visible and useful adjustments taken from earlier iPhone fashions. This is what to anticipate from Apple, as quickly as subsequent week.
For the previous two iterations, Apple’s iPhone SE has maintained a dated look, with thick bezels and a Contact ID House button that make it nearly indistinguishable from an iPhone 8. All of that’s set to alter fairly quickly, because the budget-friendly iPhone SE goes to obtain its first main redesign in years.
Alongside its new design, the iPhone SE 4 will acquire a wide range of new {hardware} options, lots of that are carry-overs from newer iPhone fashions. With each iPhone launch, nonetheless, it turns into troublesome for the common particular person to know what to anticipate with the fourth-generation iPhone SE.
To treatment the state of affairs and supply our readers with insights concerning the upcoming system, AppleInsider has spoken to folks acquainted with inner designs and pre-production prototypes of the iPhone SE 4. The people we spoke to have supplied numerous particulars concerning the iPhone 16 vary forward of launch.
Leaving no stone unturned, nonetheless, we have now additionally determined to offer a top level view of all the pieces rumored for the fourth-generation iPhone SE, regardless that lots of the claims made concerning the system outright contradict one another.
The rumor cycle of the iPhone SE 4 has been chaotic, extra so than these of ordinary iPhone fashions. Initially, it was rumored to be a comparatively easy replace, derived largely from the design of the iPhone XR. Then it was urged that Apple was testing its new in-house modem with the system, after which the venture was supposedly canceled and subsequently introduced again.
This is all the pieces we all know concerning the iPhone SE 4 to this point, and the way the completely different rumors stack up towards one another.
The iPhone SE 4 will echo the usual iPhone 14
Apple’s next-generation budget-focused iPhone will obtain a major design refresh. Slightly than resembling the massively outdated iPhone 8, the fourth-generation iPhone SE will characteristic a design derived nearly fully from the bottom mannequin iPhone 14.
The iPhone SE 4 will possible be primarily based on the usual iPhone 14, with minor adjustments.
In observe, which means that the iPhone SE 4 may have the identical total dimensions because the iPhone 14, with an aluminum housing fabricated from the identical alloy. This info comes from folks acquainted with the matter, who’ve spoken to AppleInsider and precisely revealed particulars about prior Apple {hardware} releases.
For the fourth-generation iPhone SE, Apple plans to make use of a modified model of the iPhone 14 chassis, with minor adjustments corresponding to room for the USB-C port, changing the previously-used Lightning. USB-C has been the usual connector for iPhones because the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Professional, so its inclusion within the iPhone SE 4 is an apparent alternative, because it ensures compliance with EU laws.
Provided that the system is basically primarily based on the present, base mannequin iPhone 14, the fourth-gen iPhone SE will acquire an OLED panel and help for Face ID, each of which have by no means been obtainable on the iPhone SE till now. Some pre-production prototypes additionally featured an Motion button instead of the mute change, although it’s unclear if the ultimate mass manufacturing items characteristic this variation, as Apple examined a number of {hardware} configurations.
Whereas all indicators, together with prototypes, level to the telephone closely resembling Apple’s base mannequin iPhone 14, that hasn’t stopped unreliable leakers from claiming in any other case. Some have stated the system will use a modified iPhone 16 chassis, and there is even a weird declare of an alleged “iPhone 16E” advertising identify, which might seemingly part out the iPhone SE branding. An unlikely state of affairs in any case.
iFace ID coming by way of iPhone 14-style notch, Dynamic Island unlikely
With the introduction of a 6.1-inch OLED show, Apple will lastly part out Contact ID on the iPhone SE. As a alternative, the iPhone SE 4 will characteristic a extra fashionable type of biometric identification, generally known as Face ID. This info comes from folks acquainted with Apple’s pre-production designs and prototypes.
The fourth-generation iPhone SE is predicted to characteristic a notch quite than Dynamic Island.
The fourth-generation iPhone SE will most probably characteristic a notch close to the highest of the show, the place the TrueDepth Digital camera and related Face ID sensors are situated. It will give the system a glance much like the usual iPhone 14 and iPhone 13, with a smaller notch in comparison with the iPhone 12.
Not like the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, the new-and-improved iPhone SE just isn’t getting Dynamic Island. Apple desires to make its low-end iPhone visually distinct from its flagship fashions, whereas additionally saving on additional improvement prices by re-using iPhone 14 parts and designs.
Although some have claimed the iPhone SE 4 will certainly ship with Dynamic Island, the general consensus is that the system will characteristic a notch. The folks we spoke to, together with dependable leakers, and a number of completely different dummy items all counsel that Apple’s budget-oriented telephone will probably be outfitted with a notch quite than Dynamic Island.
One rear digital camera, with a powerful 48 MP
One other notable distinction in comparison with the iPhone 14 could be seen within the rear digital camera availability of the iPhone SE 4. The system will characteristic a single rear digital camera on the again quite than two.
Although the iPhone SE 4 is getting a brand new 48 MP digital camera, its place will probably be much like the one on the iPhone SE 3.
Which means that Apple has created a customized backplate for the fourth-generation iPhone SE. In response to folks acquainted with the matter, the corporate experimented with a minimum of 5 completely different designs for the backplate and rear digital camera bump. Even so, the system was all the time purported to characteristic just one rear digital camera.
The flash module, in the meantime, will probably be on the precise aspect. Leaked instances present a horizontal cutout for the digital camera, which can imply it will not have a digital camera bump, however one lens jutting from the again. That is in step with the designs Apple examined, AppleInsider was advised.
The system is supposed to incorporate a 48 MP picture sensor, developed beneath the codename Mission Portland. A number of completely different reviews have indicated that the new-and-improved iPhone SE will characteristic a 48 MP rear digital camera, leaving little room for doubt.
Apple Intelligence, lastly on the iPhone SE
With the fourth iteration of the iPhone SE, Apple will possible usher in help for its newest suite of generative AI instruments. Generally known as Apple Intelligence, the software program is presently obtainable for gadgets with an A17 Professional or newer chip, or iPad and Mac merchandise with an M1 or newer Apple Silicon system-on-chip.
Apple Intelligence will most probably be obtainable on the iPhone SE 4 straight out of the field.
Apple Intelligence presents a wide range of AI-powered utilities, which have been made obtainable by way of the iOS 18.1 and iOS 18.2 updates. With Apple Intelligence, it is attainable to edit textual content, take away objects from images, summarize conversations, categorize emails, and generate imagery, all by AI.
Apple’s synthetic intelligence options can be found throughout all the iPhone 16 vary, from highly effective iPhone 16 Professional that includes the A18 Professional to straightforward iPhone 16 with its A18 chip. The iPhone maker desires to make sure that Apple Intelligence is accessible throughout completely different product tiers quite than being unique to “Professional” fashions, as is evidenced by the iPad mini 7, which makes use of the A17 Professional chip from the iPhone 15 Professional.
The iPhone SE 4 is predicted to make use of the identical A18 chip discovered within the base mannequin iPhone 16, which partially serves as a way of bringing Apple Intelligence to the entry-level iPhone. This is able to permit the telephone to compete and higher place itself towards equally priced Android telephones that embody Google Gemini or comparable generative AI software program for the top person.
The iPhone SE 4 is not going to get Visible Intelligence, because the system greater than possible will not characteristic the Digital camera Management button.
The recognition and total prominence of synthetic intelligence options has elevated dramatically over the previous few years. Naturally, customers anticipate a brand new telephone to supply generative AI options in some capability. Apple’s CEO Tim Prepare dinner himself even stated that Apple Intelligence influenced iPhone 16 gross sales, and that the system carried out higher in markets and areas the place the corporate’s AI options have been made obtainable.
Apple’s iPhone SE 4 is predicted to ship with iOS 18.3 pre-installed, so customers will possible have entry to Apple Intelligence options instantly after buying the system. This assumes, after all, that the system will probably be outfitted with the A18 chip. It might be a logical alternative for the iPhone SE, given that individuals will possible maintain onto the system for years, all whereas anticipating new software program options.
New modem, older iPhone 14 battery
Whereas not definitive, there’s a sturdy risk that the iPhone SE 4 may reuse the battery of the present iPhone 14. This looks as if an apparent improve, provided that the system is closely primarily based on the usual iPhone 14, with solely minor variations between the 2.
The iPhone SE 4 might characteristic Apple’s “Sinope” venture, a completely new 5G modem.
Pre-production items of the iPhone SE 4 are identified to have used the identical A2863 battery present in the usual iPhone 14. The A2863 battery has a capability of 3279 mAh, which is 1250 mAh greater than the 2018 mAh battery of the third-generation iPhone SE.
This might result in a major enhance in battery life in comparison with the earlier iteration of the iPhone SE — one other potential promoting level for the system.
Nonetheless, it is price declaring that the iPhone 14 battery was used on pre-production prototypes of the fourth-generation iPhone SE. Apple usually exams a number of {hardware} configurations forward of launch, so there aren’t any ensures that the ultimate product will use the identical battery.
There’s additionally speak of a brand new 5G modem, developed in-house by Apple beneath the venture codename “Sinope” with the intent of changing the present Qualcomm modems present in present iPhone fashions. AppleInsider is acquainted with the venture, and there is a good probability it can debut with the system, although advantages for the top person are unclear, if there even are any.
iPhone SE 4 launch date, availability, and value
As for pricing, the present third-generation iPhone SE could be bought model new for $429. A number of rumors counsel that Apple desires to take care of a value level beneath $500, which might in the end make sense for a budget-friendly system just like the iPhone SE.
AppleInsider was advised that the system could possibly be obtainable in white and black colour choices, with the latter being internally known as “Midnight” in some situations. This info comes from folks acquainted with pre-production prototypes, nonetheless, and will not replicate the ultimate items, although it does align with colours seen on dummy items.
Apple might announce the fourth-generation iPhone SE as quickly because the week of February 14, 2025, whereas the primary items are anticipated to succeed in clients later within the month. It is attainable that there will probably be no devoted launch occasion for this system, and that it’ll make its debut by way of a easy press launch as a substitute. Earlier rumors have all stated that the system could be obtainable in early 2025, so the timing is smart in that regard.
