Release date, price, specs, rumors, and what we want to see

Replace: September 29, 2023 (6:00 AM ET): We’ve up to date our iPhone SE 4 rumor hub with new claims from a Twitter tipster.

Unique article: Apple’s iPhone SE vary has lengthy been probably the most reasonably priced new iPhone sequence you should buy. Coming in at underneath $500, these handsets nonetheless carry a robust 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 in some unspecified time in the future. So what must you count on from the iPhone SE 4? Right here’s every thing we all know up to now.

Will there be an iPhone SE 4?

Apple hasn’t issued any type of affirmation that it’s engaged on an iPhone SE (4th technology). Leaks have additionally been few and much between, so we’re not 100% certain that we’ll see an iPhone SE 4 simply but.

In saying so, the final two iPhone SE fashions had been widespread due to their sub-flagship value tags. So it looks as if a foregone conclusion that Apple is engaged on a brand new mannequin. When would it not be launched? That’s a more durable query.

• 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, trusted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested in April that the iPhone SE 4 isn’t a part of Apple’s plans for 2024 or 2025. In saying so, Korean outlet The Elec has claimed that mass manufacturing of the iPhone SE 4 has been pushed again by a yr to 2025.

Both approach, it feels like Apple gained’t launch the iPhone SE (4th technology) in 2024. So we could be in for a protracted, lengthy wait. If the brand new telephone follows within the footsteps of its stablemates, then it will seem {that a} March or April launch is on the playing cards.

What specs and options will the iPhone SE 4 have?

The iPhone SE 2022 has sometimes provided a flagship processor in a pocket-friendly kind issue. Apple additionally introduced a few premium extras to the sequence in recent times, particularly wi-fi charging and water resistance.

There isn’t a lot in the best way of leaks for the iPhone SE 4, however right here’s what we’ve gathered and what we predict it’ll have.

The iPhone SE 2020 and 2022 each provided dated designs that had been broadly according to 2017’s iPhone 8 sequence. Will the corporate maintain this design for the third time?

Nicely, Apple-watching analyst Ming Chi-Kuo previously claimed in February 2023 that the iPhone SE (4th technology) would have a 6.1-inch display and can be a “minor modification” of the iPhone 14. This recommended a bigger, extra fashionable design was in retailer. The show dimension declare was echoed by The Elec in March 2023.

In fact, the analyst’s feedback got here earlier than he recommended that the brand new iPhone SE wasn’t within the works for 2024 or 2025. Nevertheless it looks as if a chance that any display dimension enhance can be accompanied by a tweaked design of some variety — hopefully lowering the scale of these bezels specifically.

Claims of the iPhone SE 4 being based mostly on the iPhone 14 had been corroborated by MacRumors on September 27, citing preliminary data from their very own sources. The outlet added that the machine would have the iPhone 15 Professional’s motion button.

Twitter tipster Unknownz21 claimed on August 13 that the iPhone SE 4 will certainly have a design based mostly on the iPhone 14. They additional asserted that the machine can have an motion button.

Specs

We’ve already heard claims that the iPhone SE 4 can be geared up with a 6.1-inch display, but it surely’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 a substitute.

Ming Chi-Kuo additionally claimed in February that the brand new machine would pack an Apple-designed modem as a substitute of a Qualcomm element. He asserted that this modem would solely help sub-6GHz 5G for now as a substitute of the quicker however extra temperamental mmWave normal.

Apple has been engaged on an in-house mobile modem for ages now, however this has confirmed to be a tricky, protracted problem. So we’re unsure if we’ll truly see it on the iPhone SE 4 by 2025 (if the telephone even comes out by then). It’s additionally price noting that Qualcomm not too long ago signed a brand new take care of Apple to supply Qualcomm modems inside iPhones in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Twitter tipster Unknownz21 claimed the iPhone SE (4th technology) would get USB-C, Face ID, and a single rear digicam. This might be the primary time we see face unlock on an iPhone SE mannequin.

MacRumors issued their very own 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 supply a 48MP single rear digicam. 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.

The selection of chipset isn’t recognized simply but, however all three iPhone SE fashions used the identical processor as the most recent mainline iPhones on the time. Meaning 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.

Meaning the iPhone SE 4 will use no matter chipset the most recent, commercially out there mainline iPhones are utilizing, proper? Not so quick. Apple made the choice to successfully break up the mainline iPhone sequence in half final yr, because the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus caught with 2021’s A15 Bionic chip whereas the iPhone 14 Professional fashions acquired the brand-new A16 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.

Different specs aren’t forthcoming from trusted sources simply but. However we’d think about {that a} show dimension bump may be accompanied by a battery capability improve. We’re unsure whether or not Apple will carry a second rear digicam to the iPhone SE vary for the primary time, although. In spite of everything, the Cupertino firm was stingy sufficient to skip an evening mode on the iPhone SE 2022.

• Apple iPhone SE 2016: $399
• Apple iPhone SE 2020: $399
• Apple iPhone SE 2022: $429

The primary two iPhones had been pegged at a terrific value of $399, however the iPhone SE 2022 had a $30 value 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 because of inflation and different elements. Apple is certainly tipped to institute value will increase for the iPhone 15 sequence, so it appears seemingly that the iPhone SE (4th technology) would obtain a hike too.

Throw in obvious upgrades like a pricey OLED display and we’d be extra stunned if the brand new iPhone SE mannequin stays at its present $429 price ticket. Will it rise above the $500 mark, although? We’re eager to search out out.

The truth that there’s no strong phrase on an iPhone SE 4 launch yr (not to mention a imprecise launch window) means you would be ready years 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 in case you’re an Apple fan, such because the iPhone 12 ($369 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 7a ($477 at Amazon) and the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G ($449.99 at Samsung). Each telephones carry respectable replace pledges and water resistance. However the Pixel 7a additionally brings flagship-level cameras, the very succesful Tensor G2 chip, and wi-fi charging.

iPhone SE 4: What we need to see

We’ve now acquired a tough thought of what to anticipate from the iPhone SE 4, however what will we truly need to see on the brand new handset? We put collectively a brief wishlist. Do notice that this isn’t based mostly on any leaks or rumors, although.

The iPhone SE 2022 is actually the iPhone SE 2020, which was in flip based mostly on the iPhone 8 line. This has been an especially dated design for just a few years now, owing to these gigantic bezels specifically.

We, subsequently, need Apple to carry a extra fashionable however nonetheless pocket-friendly design for the iPhone SE (4th technology). Earlier leaks do level to the upcoming mannequin taking cues from the iPhone 14, which might be a welcome transfer.

One terrible limitation with the iPhone SE line is that they don’t supply an evening mode for the digicam app. That’s a ridiculous limitation in gentle of its horsepower and the truth that even low-end Android telephones have provided an evening mode for over 5 years now. So it behooves Apple to lastly get with this system and produce this primary pictures characteristic to the subsequent SE mannequin.

We’d additionally wish to see a secondary rear digicam (presumably an ultrawide shooter) on the iPhone SE 4. However we wouldn’t depend on this addition.

Considered one of our essential complaints in regards to the iPhone SE 2022 was the meager quantity of base storage. The most affordable mannequin got here with a mere 64GB of inner storage, which actually doesn’t reduce it in 2023.

To that finish, we actually hope the iPhone SE 4 brings at the very least 128GB of base storage. Even 128GB fills up rapidly due to movies, our digicam roll, and extra. However this might nonetheless be a much more smart start line than 64GB.