The iPhone SE 4 is shaping up to be a game-changer in ways that most people might not expect, especially when you compare it to the much pricier iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models.
While Apple’s flagships grab the headlines with flashy “pro-grade” features, new leaks suggest the iPhone SE 4 might be a more serious contender than expected. And that’s thanks to some surprisingly powerful upgrades.
From a brand new 5G modem and relatively generous camera upgrades to the iPhone 16’s A18 chip, the iPhone SE 4 is sort of starting to look like a truly special “Special Edition”.
And for what it’s expected to cost, the value here might be simply unbeatable - by Android, or Apple’s other iPhones.
Surprise, surprise! Apple’s first-ever 5G modem could give iPhone SE 4 WiFi and battery superpowers
If the most recent leaks from 9to5Mac turn out to be true, one of the most exciting things about the iPhone SE 4 might become Apple’s first-ever (made in-house) 5G modem. And I know this sounds like the most boring upgrade ever but bear with me…
Apart from helping Apple do what Apple loves most (which is to save money), it now turns out that the company’s own 5G modem might be a big step forward in terms of performance and efficiency.
The leak says that Cupertino’s 5G modem should lead to better integration with the rest of the iPhone SE’s hardware and software, which could result in improved battery life and, in theory, stronger and more stable connection.
My iPhone 13 mini has had some WiFi issues, so the idea of a new modem which fixes the signal problems is extremely appealing. For someone like me, who relies heavily on a strong WiFi and cellular signal, this could be a game changer.
What’s most intriguing is that if Apple’s 5G modem experiment goes to plan, the improved battery life and signal quality could help the cheaper iPhone stand out compared to the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro, which are still using Qualcomm modems, and cost twice as much.
Of course, this is just a speculation on my part but, based on the leaks, it seems like more than just a speculation now. After all, Apple having full control over the modem means they can fine-tune the performance for better efficiency.
A bigger, easier to market surprise: iPhone SE 4 now expected to get iPhone 15’s flagship 48MP camera sensor with 2x “optical zoom”
Camera performance is always a key factor for people when buying a new phone, and here’s where the iPhone SE 4’s supposed weakness might turn out to be one of its biggest strengths.
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The iPhone SE 4 is reportedly getting a 48MP main camera, as Apple is expected to use the same sensor as the one in the iPhone 15, which has a proven trackrecord of offering great photography and videography.
48MP instead of 12MP also means the iPhone SE 4 is going to offer 2x sensor-crop zoom and better digital zoom.
The 2x sensor-crop zoom essentially mimics the effect of having a dedicated zoom lens, without the need for extra hardware. What it also does is to give Apple the opportunity to say the iPhone SE 4 has “two cameras/lenses”.
Of course, the 2x lossless zoom won’t make up for the lack of an ultra-wide-angle snapper. However, it’ll certainly sweeten the deal and make it seem like you’re getting a bit more for the supposed $500 asking price.
I suppose you can think of the iPhone SE 4’s camera system as the one in the iPhone 16 - but without the ultra-wide camera. In that case, paying $300 less to get nearly the same camera experience seems like a pretty decent deal. At least in the iPhone world.
The most powerful mid-range phone ever: A18 chip with 8GB of RAM to put iPhone SE 4 on par with $1,200 iPhone 16 Pro Max
A18 vs A15 Geekbench scores - iPhone SE 4 will be at least 40% more powerful than the iPhone SE 3.
Let’s talk about performance for a second, which has been the iPhone SE’s biggest focus and selling point since the original iPhone SE (2016).
According to the latest leaks, which sound more and more confident, the iPhone SE 4 is surely expected to come with the A18 chip - the same processor you’ll find in the iPhone $900 iPhone 16 Plus. This also means the iPhone SE 4 should get 8GB of RAM, making it fully compatible with Apple Intelligence features.
Looking at the bigger picture, it gets even better since the A18 chip is virtually as capable as the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro series, which means the $500 iPhone SE 4 might be able to go head-to-head with the $1,200 iPhone 16 Pro Max.
In other words, we’re talking flagship-level performance in a phone expected to cost less than half of what you’d pay for Apple’s most expensive premium flagship. And that’s a level of speed no $500 Android will be able to match.
Ready-to-go “Apple Intelligence” features could make iPhone SE 4 a more reassuring purchase than iPhone 16
Aaand we come to one of the most exciting possibilities with the iPhone SE 4, which is the expected Apple Intelligence integration.
What stands out to me from looking at the leaked info and the iPhone SE launch timeline is that this might be the one area where the SE 4 actually outshines the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro!
The iPhone 16 series was released with very limited AI capabilities as Apple didn’t seem ready to roll out its AI vision in full.
Lucky for those on a budget, by the time the iPhone SE 4 launches (in spring 2025), we’re likely to see a fully fleshed-out version of Apple Intelligence - hopefully with zero “beta” features.
In practice, Apple Intelligence on the iPhone SE should give you AI photo editing features, smart ways to text and iMessage, and seamless integration of AI across Apple’s apps and the entire iOS.
Apple Intelligence might not sound as exciting as some of the hardware upgrades (especially coming from the ancient iPhone SE 3), but as someone who’s using (Android) AI features on a daily basis, I can tell you they can be a game-changer that save you tons of time.
iPhone SE 4 sounds too good to be true - could the biggest surprise be a much higher price of around $600?
The iPhone SE 4 is expected to borrow the iPhone 14’s design. But what if it takes over its place in Apple’s lineup altogether?
So… At the end of the day, the iPhone SE 4 looks like it’s going to offer some of the most important hardware and software features from Apple’s flagship models, but at a price that’s way more reasonable.
Of course, I don’t expect to see 120Hz ProMotion or the Dynamic Island on a $500 iPhone, but with the new 5G modem, 48MP camera, A18 chip, and Apple Intelligence, it’s hard to see why the average user would need an iPhone 16 or 16 Pro. For example, all the people in my family would be more than happy with a phone like the iPhone SE 4.
All that being said, it is expected that the iPhone SE 4 will start at $500 or less, and my hot take is that this would actually make it a bit of a “steal”. That’s unless Apple doesn’t decide to surprise everyone with a higher price.
For example, Tim Cook & Co can decide to discontinue the iPhone 14 (which currently starts at $600), and have the iPhone SE take its place. The only “downgrade” going from the iPhone 14 to the SE 4 would be the lack of an ultra-wide camera, which might justify a $600 price given all the upgrades.
Let’s SEe…
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Martin, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, brings a unique blend of humor and insight to his work. His fascination with smartphones began with a Galaxy Young and evolved through a series of trades and upgrades, making him a self-proclaimed smartphone nerd. Martin's content often combines current analysis of market trends with historical references and future predictions. Whether it's a deep dive into technical issues or a first-person commentary on industry events, Martin's articles are designed to inform and engage. His critical perspective is driven by genuine curiosity and a desire to keep readers informed, not by any corporate sponsorship.
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