Apple could finally be ready to reveal iPhone SE 4 in early 2025, and it may be the lowest-priced iPhone with access to Apple Intelligence. Here's what's rumored to be arriving soon.
iPhone SE was last updated in 2022 with the third-generation model. It is the last iPhone with a Home Button, Touch ID, Lightning, and an LCD display.
That all is expected to change with the iPhone SE 4, which is rumored to be modeled after the iPhone 14. While it will resemble that iPhone on its face, there will be a lot of modern alterations that'll make the iPhone SE 4 stand on its own.
The rumor cycle for the new iPhone SE has been a bit of a roller coaster. First, it was meant to be a simple upgrade, then Apple apparently planned it to be a test bed for its in-house modem. Then it was canceled and revived again.
Here's what we know about the iPhone SE 4 so far.
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All signs point to iPhone SE 4 looking very similar to an iPhone 14, but with minor modifications. It'll have a notch with Face ID, but the rear will be a different backplate due to a different camera system.
Apple is expected to offer only a single camera on the back with a flash module on the right side. Leaked cases show a horizontal cutout for the camera, which may mean it won't have a camera bump, but one lens jutting from the back.
The Lightning port will likely be traded for a USB-C one, marking another difference from the iPhone 14. Some test units allegedly had an Action button, but discussions of its inclusion have fallen off and it likely isn't happening.
Apple will attempt to reduce the overall cost by reusing components from iPhone 14, since it will have identical dimensions. For example, the battery could be reused for the iPhone SE 4.
So far, all of this design information has been corroborated by AppleInsider from a reliable source.
Features
Apple's budget iPhone is meant to offer the bare-minimum iPhone experience without cutting too many corners. That means maintaining security, privacy, performance, and a great camera in a device capable of running modern features for years.
The latest premium iPhone models like iPhone 16 offer multiple powerful cameras, the Dynamic Island, Action button, Camera button, and other features that define the product. Yet, Apple wants to sell a slimmed-down version of that, like how it sold an iPhone 8-like iPhone SE for years after the iPhone X debuted.
So, the tough choice for Apple this time is what it cuts to get there in today's budget model. It seems like the answer is "not much" given the current rumors.
Some suggest that Apple will make the single camera a 48MP one, placing it on par with the iPhone 15 Main Camera. That would make sense given Apple's emphasis on computational photography in recent years.
MagSafe and Qi2 charging are a gimme considering the iPhone 14 design. USB-C charging is handy, but so is the range of peripherals enabled by the new port.
Flip around to the front, and the iPhone SE 4 will look identical to the iPhone 14. The notch would house the Face ID components and selfie camera, and the display would be OLED instead of LCD.
Outside of the camera, port, display, and design, there's not much else to speak of beyond the chipset in terms of customer experience. The biggest features will be determined by what A-series chip Apple will choose for the iPhone SE, and there appears to be only one option.
Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence is Apple's take on artificial intelligence, that is to say, large language models and generative tools. In order to run these on-device models, an iPhone needs at least the A17 Pro.
Apple isn't about to use a "pro" chip in the budget iPhone SE, so that leaves the A18 that is offered in the iPhone 16 today. Yes, that means the iPhone SE could be on par performance-wise with the latest flagships, but would lack in enough other specs that Apple could consider it.
It seems very unlikely that Apple would release any new product without access to Apple Intelligence, especially since the iPhone SE may not see another update until 2026 or later.
There's always the chance that Apple could use a binned version of the A18. That would cut back on costs and take advantage of chips rejected for the iPhone 16.
Apple Intelligence may not have produced the kind of super cycle analysts were expecting, but it is still an important feature set to support. The iPhone SE is competing more directly with budget Android phones that have access to Google Gemini and similar, so Apple can't afford not to have built-in AI in its budget smartphone.
Aside from AI, using the A18 also ensures a longer life and support cycle for the iPhone SE 4. Since the device is more likely to be purchased by people looking to keep it longer, a new chipset is easier for Apple to support.
iPhone SE 4 release date and price
Supply chain reports suggest Apple is gearing up for an early 2025 release. It could be a busy spring for Apple with iPad 11 and the M4 MacBook Air also expected.
The existing iPhone SE is $429 and rumors suggest Apple is aiming to hit that sub-$500 price point. Expect an announcement in March 2025.
