Apple recently made news when seven of its iPhone models topped the list of Counterpoint Research’s top 10 selling smartphones of 2023 globally. It was the iPhone 14 that sold the most, followed by its Pro variants, the dated iPhone 13 and the new iPhone 15 series. While that must have been a good spectacle for Apple’s sales, one notable miss from this list was its entry-level iPhone SE. Last updated in 2022, the iPhone SE 5G isn’t the most exciting smartphone in the midrange segment and needs an extensive overhaul.
While Apple stays mum on releasing its successor, rumours and leaks emerging from industry insiders have confirmed an iPhone SE 4 coming our way. With no hints on a release date yet, this fourth-generation iPhone SE is going to be the first major upgrade to the SE series since 2020’s iPhone SE 3rd Gen. Instead of donning a design that was cool in 2014, the next-gen iPhone SE might finally make a leap towards modernisation and make a solid case for Apple in the midrange segment.
Will that be enough to make the iPhone SE 4 worth waiting? Will it have enough meat to pose a threat to a rather solid bunch of midrange Android phones like the iQOO Neo 9 Pro, OnePlus12R and Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy A55?
While we don’t have any official data, there is a collection of compelling leaks and rumours to help us decide.
iPhone SE 4 specs and design leaks: What’s in store for us?
Based on the leaks and rumours we have seen so far, the iPhone SE 4 will be a massive upgrade from its predecessors.
Old yet new design
Since its introduction in 2016, the iPhone SE has always been made out of bits and pieces from Apple’s old parts bin. The first-gen iPhone SE was based on 2013’s iPhone 5S whereas the second and third-gen iPhone SE models were based on 2017’s iPhone 8. Hence, these smartphones have been anything but modern. While a lot of Apple loyalists sought the familiar old design with the famous Home button, young consumers couldn’t digest the cramped display along with those chunky bezels, eventually leading to appalling sales.
With the iPhone SE 4, it seems Apple has learnt its lesson. Leaked renders suggest the iPhone SE 4 will be based on iPhone 14’s design. That means the entry-level iPhone will get basic modern must-haves like a large OLED display with an edge-to-edge design, flat sides and a USB-C charging port. Although we don’t consider the display notch as a modern feature, it is still an upgrade over the dated Home button layout.
iPhone SE 4 to uphold the honour of the single-lens camera system
For the fourth time, Apple will refrain from giving the iPhone SE 4 a multi-camera system. Although the details on the exact specifications are yet to come out, the iPhone SE 4 could stick to the old 12-megapixel image sensor from the iPhone 14 featuring sensor-shift stabilisation. This way, Apple provides a great incentive to upgrade to the iPhone 15, which not only features a higher resolution 48-megapixel sensor but also offers a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera.
Face ID for the beginners too
Another crucial upgrade to the iPhone SE is the Face ID biometric verification system. The iPhone SE has long relied on the Touch ID fingerprint scanner system and while that was adequate, it certainly wasn’t as convenient and secure as the Face ID system. The TrueDepth camera system on the iPhone SE is also expected to provide autofocus functionality for the front camera, which could be another big deal for iPhone SE customers.
Lots of performance on offer
The iPhone SE has always been among the fastest smartphones you can buy in the midrange segment. With a release expected in early 2025, Apple will likely give the iPhone SE 4 the rumoured 3nm A17 Bionic chipset, which is expected to cut down on GPU power compared to the A17 Pro on the iPhone 15 Pro. This could be a big deal in the midrange segment considering all Android smartphones are still relying on 4nm chipsets and will continue to do so for the next few years.
May still offer a 60Hz display
With the upcoming iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus rumoured to stick to 60Hz OLED panels, there’s no chance of seeing a higher refresh rate on the iPhone SE 4. While this may not be much of a deal breaker for those upgrading from older iPhone SE and other non-Pro iPhones of the past, the slower 60Hz might put off people migrating from Android phones offering 120Hz OLED panels as standard.
Same battery as the iPhone 14
The current generation iPhone SE 5G is notorious for its terrible battery stamina. With an iPhone 14’s battery, the iPhone SE will oversee a huge upgrade in the overall stamina. If Apple pairs it with the 3nm A17 chipset, the iPhone SE could finally become a 1-day phone with some juice to spare for the next day.
…but with a USB-C charging port
With the new EU regulations in place, Apple now has to provide a USB-C charging port as standard on all its future iPhones. Given that the ageing iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 with their Lightning ports may no longer be eligible to sit on the shelves later this year, the iPhone SE 4 with its USB-C port could be the only option alongside the iPhone 15 for the masses.
Pricing is still a matter of concern
The leaks and rumours are yet to sprinkle anything on the iPhone SE 4’s expected price but given the notable list of upgrades, the iPhone SE could be a pricey affair for a midrange phone. The current-gen iPhone SE 5G with its dated design starts at SGD 705.45. With a majority of upgrades borrowed from the iPhone 14, the iPhone SE 4 could be released with a starting price north of SGD 1,000.
iPhone SE 4 expected release date
Based on the information from industry insiders, it seems that the iPhone SE 4 might take another year to reach the stores. After the iPhone 16’s release in September 2024, Apple could reserve the March 2025 launch event for the iPhone SE 4.
(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy AB via Unsplash)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– When is the iPhone SE 4 expected to be released?
The iPhone SE 4 is expected to be released in early 2025.
– What will be the features of the iPhone SE 4?
The iPhone SE 4 is expected to come with a 6.1-inch OLED display, a 3nm A17 chipset, a single 12-megapixel rear camera, the Face ID biometric verification system and a USB-C charging port.
