Apple iPhone SE 4: What we know

While there’s often a lot of excitement about Apple’s flagship iPhones — this year, the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro — those are unaffordable for a lot of people. There are many shoppers who don’t need the best possible specs, either. Along those lines, Apple is finally preparing a fourth-generation iPhone SE. Here’s what we know about the device so far, including its release date, projected price, and key design features.

iPhone SE 4 release date and price

Soon, but not that soon

• Likely spring 2025 launch
• Price matching or slightly higher than $429

The latest release date rumors, courtesy of The Information, indicate that the SE 4 will ship in spring 2025. That would be consistent with the spring windows chosen for every previous SE, distancing them from the launches of flagship iPhones. Specifically we’re expecting Apple to announce the device in March or April, possibly via a press release rather than a live event unless the company has other products it wants to debut at the same time.

As for pricing, that remains uncertain. A Revegnus leak on X — now deleted — claimed that the SE 4 will match the current model’s $429 US, or at most slot in about 10% higher. Apple is supposedly invested in keeping the phone under $500, which makes sense given that the iPhone 14 will likely slip to $599 or less this fall.

Design

A fresh look, finally

• Face ID
• No home button
• 6.1-inch OLED screen
• Action button
• USB-C

This is the biggest news with the iPhone SE 4. Even the SE 3 was modeled after 2017’s iPhone 8, making it look and feel antiquated, mostly due to a 4.7-inch LCD with thick bezels and a home button. It’s also the only iPhone that still uses Touch ID instead of Face ID.

According to The Information, the SE 4 is being modeled after the iPhone 14, meaning it will finally adopt Face ID and an all-touchscreen front interface. It may still have a notch instead of a Dynamic Island, but buyers should at least get a 6.1-inch OLED display, offering not just extra screen space but far improved colors, contrast, and brightness. The switch to OLED is backed up by Nikkei Asia, which says that Apple is ordering panels from BOE and LG Display.

A Weibo leaker, Fixed Focus Digital, suggests the backplate could resemble the iPhone 16. That implies a similar camera bump.

Moving to a 6.1-inch screen could prove controversial. While 6-inch phones are now commonplace, some people actually prefer smaller designs, since they’re easier to use with one hand. The SE 4 will likely mark the death of Apple displays under 6 inches, at least outside of refurbished sales.

Another rumored design feature is an Action button. The concept first debuted on the Apple Watch Ultra, then made its way to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. It’s also expected to come to the IPhone 16 lineup, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that Apple wants to keep control options consistent on the SE.

Something absolutely guaranteed is a switch from Lightning to USB-C, as with the iPhone 15. Apple has no choice — it has to make the leap if it wants to comply with European Union regulations. We’re not sure what USB speed Apple intends to use, but to keep costs down it might use the slower USB 2.0-level connector found in the standard iPhone 15.

Specs

A blazing fast processor

• A17 or A18 processor
• 48-megapixel main camera
• Possible Apple-designed 5G modem
• More storage
• Apple Intelligence

The core attraction of the SE line has always been the chance to get one of Apple’s latest processors without paying for frills. With the SE 4, however, there are two possibilities. It could get an A17 chip, currently found in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. But if all models of the iPhone 16 are getting the A18, as one rumor suggests, the SE 4 might have to follow suit. Apple is making a major push into generative AI with iOS 18, and it may be that the A17 won’t deliver every AI feature to Apple’s standards. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman claims it’s a safe bet that the SE 4 will be equipped with Apple Intelligence, which includes options like writing tools and email summaries.

MacRumors sources have said that the SE 4 could get a 48-megapixel main camera, a huge leap over the 12-megapixel one in the SE 3. Apple may also be using the SE 4 as a testbed for an internally-designed 5G modem, codenamed “Sinope.” Over the years the company has been bringing more and more chip design in-house, aiming to both cut costs and deliver hyper-optimized technology.

Apple will presumably increase default storage to 128GB. The 64GB in the entry-level SE 3 is increasingly unsustainable, given the growing size of iOS and its apps — never mind adding 48-megapixel photos into the mix. The real question is whether there will be storage options over 256GB, although we wouldn’t put any money on a 1TB model.

What else do we know about the iPhone SE 4?

More to come

Little to nothing, unfortunately. If it is getting a backplate modeled after the iPhone 16, that could signal similar camera tech, but we’re still expecting the SE 4 to stick to a single wide-angle rear camera. Don’t get your hopes up for an ultra-wide or telephoto lens.

There’s a lot more to learn, such as available RAM, color options, and wireless technologies. We’ll update this hub as new information rolls in.