Who's excited for a new compact and budget-friendly iPhone? Now, imagine me raising my hand enthusiastically like it's the first answer I know in class. Jokes aside, there's been a growing buzz around Apple’s next-generation iPhone SE 4. The rumors are piling up, and it looks like the tech giant is indeed gearing up for its release.
Just a few days ago, a new report hinted that the design of the iPhone SE 4 will borrow elements from the iPhone 16 – a detail we’ve heard before. Another scoop mentioned that the iPhone SE 4 might start at $499, featuring an OLED display and a single 48MP camera. With all these exciting possibilities, I can't help but get pumped. If these rumors pan out, I’d be seriously tempted to snag the next-gen iPhone SE for myself.
What made the iPhone SE 4 my pick for next phone?
The iPhone SE 3 had a pretty outdated design even at launch. | Image credit – PhoneArena
Apple dropped the iPhone SE 3 in 2022, so by the time the iPhone SE 4 launches in 2025 (at least according to rumors), it’ll be high time for an update to the budget-friendly lineup. Especially considering the third-gen SE didn’t bring a huge leap forward from the SE 2, which came out in 2020.
That said, the iPhone SE 4 is expected to be a major leap forward from its predecessors, with significant upgrades in design, camera, hardware, and pretty much every other aspect. Here's what we're hearing about the iPhone SE 4:
Modern design: Expect a new look inspired by recent iPhone models.
Enhanced camera: An upgraded camera setup might be on the way.
OLED display: The new iPhone SE might feature a vibrant OLED screen instead of LCD.
Increased storage: More storage options could be available, giving you extra space for apps and media.
Upgraded processor: A better processor should boost performance and efficiency.
Larger battery: Look forward to a bigger battery, potentially offering longer battery life.
To kick things off, rumors suggest that the iPhone SE 4 will embrace a more modern design, drawing inspiration from recent iPhone models. Some reports indicate it could mirror the iPhone 14 series, while others hint it might even incorporate design elements from the upcoming iPhone 16 series, potentially featuring a similar back panel process as the iPhone 16 base model.
Leaked image reveals a possible look of the iPhone SE 4, resembling the upcoming iPhone 16. | Image credit – Majin Bu
The iPhone SE 4 is set to get a major screen upgrade, jumping from its predecessor’s 4.7-inch display to a larger 6.1-inch panel similar to the iPhone 14. It’s also rumored to switch from LCD to OLED, bringing brighter colors and deeper blacks. Plus, Apple might introduce both Dynamic Island and Face ID for the first time in the SE lineup. Quite a list of new features, huh?
The phone will also see some big changes in the camera department. While it’s still expected to have a single rear camera, it might upgrade from the old 12MP sensor to a new 48MP one, similar to the one in the iPhone 15.
Rumors also hint that the iPhone SE 4 will come with 6GB of RAM and offer two storage options: a 128GB base model and a 512GB higher-tier variant. In contrast, the current iPhone SE has 4GB of RAM and starts with just 64GB of storage. So, if these rumors are true, it’s definitely shaping up to be a significant upgrade.
But there is more! Just as the iPhone SE 3 borrowed the A15 Bionic chip from the iPhone 13 released the year before it, the iPhone SE 4 is rumored to feature the cutting-edge A18 processor, which will debut in the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max this fall. Remarkably, this could make the budget-friendly SE 4 faster than the regular iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, which are expected to use the A17 SoC.
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The next-gen budget-friendly iPhone is also expected to inherit the battery from the iPhone 14. Leaked documents revealed earlier that the battery capacity will jump from 2018mAh in the iPhone SE 3 to a much larger 3279mAh in the SE 4. That’s an impressive boost of over 1250mAh, which should significantly extend battery life. So, definitely another upgrade worth noting!
So, if everything pans out as rumored, the iPhone SE 4 is set to be a major upgrade. The cherry on top? It might kick off at $499. Some reports even hint that the price could stay the same as the previous model, around $429. It’s hard to believe, but we’ll have to hang tight a little longer to see if it’s true.
Yet, given all these specs and the potential price, I think the iPhone SE 4 could be a smart choice, and I'm seriously considering picking it up when it hits the market.
Who is the iPhone SE 4 for and why it is the phone for me?
Renders of what iPhone SE 4 could look like.
Well, the iPhone SE 4 is likely perfect for those who want the Apple experience without breaking the bank and for anyone who appreciates a more compact form factor. Sure, a 6.1-inch display isn't tiny, but by today’s standards, in the current smartphone landscape, it’s on the smaller side.
Of course, you could always go for the base iPhone 15 or the upcoming iPhone 16, which offer similar display sizes but do come with a much higher price tag. I mean, while the iPhone 15 currently starts at $799 and the iPhone 16 is expected to be priced similarly, the iPhone SE 4 might cost nearly half as much – and it could potentially pack a better chipset.
Overall, the iPhone SE 4 is shaping up to be a fantastic budget option for Apple fans who don’t want to shell out a lot of money and don’t need all the bells and whistles of the latest flagship models. Or, for folks like me who are deep into Apple’s ecosystem – think AirPods, AirTags, MacBooks – but are stubbornly holding out for an eventual next iPhone mini and want to avoid spending top dollar until then.
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Tsveta, a passionate technology enthusiast and accomplished playwright, combines her love for mobile technologies and writing to explore and reveal the transformative power of tech. From being an early follower of PhoneArena to relying exclusively on her smartphone for photography, she embraces the immense capabilities of compact devices in our daily lives. With a Journalism degree and an explorative spirit, Tsveta not only provides expert insights into the world of gadgets and smartphones but also shares a unique perspective shaped by her diverse interests in travel, culture, and visual storytelling.
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