The iPhone SE from Apple is known for being the most budget-friendly smartphone in the Apple lineup, offering flagship performance at half the price of the high-end models. However, the issue lies in the fact that the iPhone SE 3 shares the same design and screen as the iPhone 8, a model released back in 2017.
This may make the iPhone SE 3 seem a bit outdated compared to Android devices, but rumors suggest that everything could change with the upcoming generation SE, expected to be released in 2023 or 2024.
Here is everything you need to know about the iPhone SE 4, from speculations about its release date and price to its potential technical features.
When Will the iPhone SE 4 Be Released?
Unlike the standard iPhone lineup, the release schedule for Apple’s iPhone SE is not as predictable, and the intervals between updates can be more challenging to forecast.
To give you an idea of previous releases:
– iPhone SE (3rd generation): March 2022
– iPhone SE (2nd generation): April 2020
– iPhone SE (1st generation): March 2016
After Apple introduced the SE lineup in 2016, there was a four-year gap before the next update. The original SE was discontinued in September 2018, and the 2nd generation, launched in 2020, retained the design of the iPhone 6/6S. However, this time around, things might be different.
Analyst Jeff Pu believes that the iPhone SE will be launched in 2025, while analysts from Barclays, Blayne Curtis, and Tom O’Malley suggest that a 2024 release is unlikely. Ming-Chi Kuo has mentioned that Apple is testing a prototype of the iPhone SE with 5G technology, hinting at a potential release in 2025.
What Will the iPhone SE 4 Cost?
The iPhone SE is designed to be Apple’s budget-friendly and affordable smartphone, so any price variation with the current model is not expected to be significant. It is anticipated that the iPhone SE 4 will cost around the same as the SE 3, despite the rumored improvements in screen and design.
For reference, here are the current prices for the iPhone SE lineup:
– 64GB: €559
– 128GB: €629
– 256GB: €759
What to Expect from the iPhone SE 4
Though we are still a couple of years away from the release of the next iPhone SE, rumors give us a glimpse of what to expect.
A Refreshed Design
The iPhone SE has always been one of Apple’s smaller devices, so it makes sense that the compact size of the 13 mini could replace the chassis of the iPhone 6 in the SE. However, there are various directions Apple could take with the SE lineup.
According to tech informant Jon Prosser, the iPhone SE 4 could essentially be an iPhone XR, featuring a borderless design and a 6.1-inch screen. Renders created by Prosser and designer Ian Zelco showcase this concept.
Additionally, a report by Ross Young suggests that Apple is considering a 5.7-inch display for the iPhone SE 4, potentially using either LCD or OLED technology.
Furthermore, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reported that Apple may opt for a 6.1-inch OLED display for the iPhone SE 4, with plans to source these displays from BOE, a Chinese tech giant.
These developments indicate a growing likelihood of the iPhone SE 4’s release.
Face ID
While rumors suggest that the iPhone SE 4 may feature a notch, it may not include Face ID. Apple has established Face ID as a feature reserved for its high-end products, such as the iPhone and iPad Pro.
However, having a notch without Face ID is not unprecedented, as seen in the MacBook Pro, where the notch houses only the front camera. Reports from analysts and tech sites suggest that Apple could relocate the Touch ID sensor to the power button, a feature already present in the iPad 10th generation.
Camera Features
Renders of the iPhone SE 4 by Ian Zelco show a single camera setup, likely a 12MP wide-angle lens. It is hoped that the SE 4 will include features missing from the SE 3, such as night mode and cinematic mode.
Updated Chipset
In recent years, the iPhone SE has matched the processing power of the flagship iPhone models, making it a strong contender against Android devices. If the iPhone SE 4 is released in early 2024, it could come equipped with the A17 Bionic processor, which has yet to be announced and is expected to power the 2023 iPhone lineup.
The iPhone SE 4 could also be the first iPhone to feature Apple’s 5G modems. Analyst Ming-Chi Quo predicts this development, stating that the baseband chip will be manufactured using a 4nm process and will support only sub-6GHz bands.
In April 2023, analyst Jeff Pu suggested that Apple would release the iPhone SE 4 with a custom 5G modem in 2025, with TSMC manufacturing the modem chip.
Considering the iPhone 13 lineup’s shift to 128GB storage capacity, it is hoped that the new iPhone SE will follow suit, as 64GB may not be sufficient for most users, especially with increasing system file sizes.
In conclusion, the iPhone SE 4 is shaping up to be a promising addition to Apple’s lineup, with potential improvements in design, features, and performance. Stay tuned for more updates as the release date approaches.
