Apple iPhone SE 4: everything we know so far

Despite getting the most attention for Apple’s annually updated smartphones, the iPhone SE — is a great choice for those looking for something more budget-friendly. If you need an iPhone that won’t break the bank, the SE — is the one for you.

And if you’re looking for an iPhone that won’t break the bank, the SE — is the way to go.

The original iPhone SE came out in 2016, and then Apple updated it in 2020 and 2022, making it much more modern. The iPhone SE tends to be updated every two years, rather than annually as is often the case. That means the iPhone SE 4 is due out in 2025.

An iPhone SE 4 is expected to come out in 2025.

Possible release date and price

It was previously reported that the iPhone SE 4, which was originally slated for release in 2024, has been canceled altogether, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo later confirmed the claim, saying that the project had been revived. And now there’s hope that we’ll finally see this smartphone in 2025.

And now there’s hope that we’ll finally see this smartphone in 2025.

Despite the numerous updates, the iPhone SE 4 won’t cost more than $500. The current iPhone SE starts at $429, so the next generation will likely cost about the same, but with a possible increase. Even if the price of the iPhone SE 4 rises slightly, it will still cost less than the main-series smartphones.

The iPhone SE 4 will still cost less than the main-series smartphones.

Design

The original iPhone SE in 2016 was modeled after the iPhone 5s, and the iPhone SE 2 and iPhone SE 3 had the same design as the iPhone 8. However, the potential iPhone SE 4 looks like it could get a completely different design.

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The rumored iPhone SE 4 would feature a 6.1-inch display, similar to what’s currently on the mainstream iPhone models. Due to this, it seems that the iPhone SE 4 will be much larger than its predecessor. With a 6.1-inch display, the Touch ID button will also disappear. And that means that Face ID will make an appearance on the iPhone SE. However, it’s unlikely that we’ll see Dynamic Island.

And it’s unlikely that we’ll see Dynamic Island.

iPhone SE 4 could also get the Action button that appeared on the iPhone 15 Pro. And to make it more similar to the mainstream iPhone models, it will also switch from Lightning to USB-C.

And to make it more similar to the mainstream iPhone models, it will also move from Lightning to USB-C.

In October 2024, it was reported that the iPhone SE 4 could see big changes — there will be a Plus variant. The iPhone SE 4 was originally designed in a 6.7-inch variant as the iPhone 14 Plus. This will be the first time Apple will introduce the iPhone SE in two sizes.

And it will be the first time Apple will introduce the iPhone SE in two sizes.

Display

All previous iPhone SE models have used LCD technology for the display. However, Apple may switch to OLED in the iPhone SE 4. Apple has been using OLED panels for iPhones since the iPhone 12. Switching to OLED would make the SE 4 more similar to the flagship models, but would keep its low price.

An iPhone SE 4 will use OLED panels for the iPhone 12.

OLED displays have deeper, richer blacks and better contrast than LCDs. If the transition happens, it will be a big upgrade for the budget iPhone.

And if the transition happens, it will be a big upgrade for the budget iPhone.

Technical specs

Traditionally, the iPhone SE uses a previous-generation chip to make it more budget-friendly, but the iPhone SE 4 is rumored to be powered by the same A18 chip as the iPhone 16. This will enable Apple Intelligence features, though probably on a more limited scale than in the flagship models.

This will allow for Apple Intelligence features, though probably on a more limited scale than in the flagship models.

There are also rumors that Apple is working on its own 5G chip, which could appear in the iPhone SE 4. This would result from the acquisition of Intel’s modem business in 2019. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims that Apple will begin a three-year transition to its own modems, similar to the transition to the M-series. This transition will begin in 2025; the first rumored to be the iPhone SE 4.

Apple’s first modem will be the iPhone SE 4.

If the iPhone SE 4 will indeed support Apple Intelligence, it will have at least 8GB of RAM.

Cameras

All iPhone SE models so far have only featured a single-lens camera, and the iPhone SE 4 is likely to follow that trend. After all, the base iPhone models have dual cameras and the Pro models — triple. If the SE stays with a single lens, it won’t allow it to outperform the base smartphones of the main series.

The December report gave a glimpse of what to expect from the iPhone SE 4’s rear and front cameras. To keep things modern, the iPhone SE 4 is expected to get a single 48-megapixel rear camera and a 12-megapixel TrueDepth camera on the front, according to recent reports of shipments from Korea. The TrueDepth camera will be in line with Face ID, which will appear in the iPhone SE.

The TrueDepth camera will be the same as Face ID, which will appear in the iPhone SE.

Battery life

One of the most significant drawbacks of the iPhone SE is battery life, which is due to its small size. The iPhone SE 3 currently has a battery with a capacity of just 2,018 mAh, which doesn’t last as long as the flagship iPhone models.

The iPhone SE 3 has a battery with a capacity of just 2,018 mAh, which doesn’t last as long as the flagship iPhone models.

But if Apple moves to the iPhone 14 design, there’s more room for a larger battery. Currently, the iPhone 14 has about 3,279 mAh, which is a lot more than the iPhone SE. But that might not be enough either; thanks to Apple Intelligence and potentially an OLED panel, the iPhone 4 SE could get a higher-capacity battery that won’t last longer due to increased power draws.

The iPhone 4 SE could get a higher-capacity battery that won’t last longer due to increased power draws.

Apple knows how to surprise, so we won’t know the official specs until the smartphone is officially unveiled. Still, on paper, the iPhone SE 4 looks much better than its predecessors, and looks more like a full-fledged phone than a heavily stripped-down version of last year’s model.

Apple’s iPhone SE 4 looks like a full-fledged phone than a heavily stripped-down version of last year’s model.