The iPhone SE is the most affordable iPhone that Apple currently sells. The iPhone SE usually adopts older iPhone designs with performance improvements. Apple’s latest iPhone SE is the iPhone SE 3rd generation that uses the same design as the iPhone 8 and the A15 Bionic.
We are now expecting an update to the iPhone SE next year. The iPhone SE 4 is still early in development, but we already have a pretty clear idea of what to expect. This will be a low-cost alternative to Apple’s flagship iPhone 14, with a possible new design and features.
In this article, we’ve rounded up everything we know about the upcoming device, including its rumored features, design, price, and release date. Read on to learn more about the iPhone SE 4 and what we can expect from Apple’s next budget-friendly device.
When can we expect the iPhone SE 4 to be released?
- The iPhone SE 4 could be released in March 2024.
The iPhone SE’s launch is still unconfirmed, and Apple has not yet given an official release date. Initially, the iPhone SE 4 was rumored to be released in 2023. This was based on the release cycle of the previous SE models.
However, a report revealed that Apple would not launch the iPhone SE 4. Due to limited demand for mid-range iPhones such as SE 3, 13 Mini, and 14 Plus, Apple may cancel or postpone the iPhone SE 4 until 2024. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo tweeted that Apple may postpone the mass production plan of the SE 4 for 2024 rather than delay it. He wrote on a medium that Qualcomm has emerged as the biggest beneficiary of Apple’s decision to cancel the production of the iPhone SE 4.
Now, we have good news from reputable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Apple has restarted the development of the iPhone SE 4 model with a 6.1-inch OLED panel and an Apple-designed 5G chip produced by a 4nm process and will only support Sub-6GHz as the current plan. Kuo further said mass production will start in H1 2024.
Since the current iPhone SE model launched in March 2022, we expect the next generation iPhone SE will launch in March 2024.
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[Update] Apple has restarted the iPhone SE 4 and will adopt an in-house 5G baseband chip. The significant decline in Qualcomm's Apple orders in the foreseeable future is a foregone conclusion. https://t.co/0MeZDFnbzg— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) February 27, 2023
iPhone SE 4 Expected Specifications
iPhone SE 4 is the upcoming 4th generation of the iPhone SE lineup. The device is rumored to have a faster A15 processor and a new design. It is also said to support Face ID. Let’s take a look at the detailed specifications of the new budget iPhone.
Design & Display:
The design of the iPhone SE 4 is said to be changing next year. In the past, Apple used older iPhone designs on the iPhone SE. For instance, the iPhone SE 2020 and the iPhone SE 2022 use the same design as the iPhone 8, which is the same as the iPhone 7. However, next year, Apple is expected to use the iPhone XR’s design on its new budget iPhone SE.
Frontpagetech website has published the renders of the iPhone SE 4. Ian Zelbo creates the renders based on info received by popular tipster Jon Prosser from an anonymous source.
Leaked renders suggest Apple will bring the iPhone XR’s design back with the iPhone SE 4. The new iPhone SE will also ditch the Home Button and Touch ID. This means that this iPhone will have Face ID and a notch. The iPhone SE will still likely use the lightning port for charging.
As for the display, the iPhone SE 4 is said to pack a 6.1-inch HD+ screen with a 60Hz refresh rate and 625 nits peak brightness. This will be a massive upgrade over the 4.7-inch screen on the current iPhone SE. iPhone SE 4 may feature an OLED panel instead of an LCD. Ross Young says Apple may substitute its LCD panel with an OLED variant. The screen size could vary between 5.7 and 6.1 inches. The new display will attract a lot of existing iPhone SE users. The display will be supplied by Chinese manufacturer BOE.
Spec Upgrades:
It is still unclear if the iPhone SE 4 (2024) will be powered by the A16 Bionic or the A15 Bionic. Given that the iPhone 14 is still powered by the A15 Bionic and the design changes coming to the iPhone SE 2024, it is improbable that it will get the new A16 Bionic chip. We might get the same A15 Bionic chip with an extra GPU core, just like the iPhone 14. As for the RAM, it might get bumped from 3GB to 4GB. However, since the iPhone XR had only 3GB RAM, we might not see the RAM upgrade too. The iPhone SE 4 (2024) will also support 5G, just like its predecessor.
We will also get a larger battery on the iPhone SE 2024. We can expect the same battery life as the iPhone XR, which is excellent. For instance, the iPhone XR lasts a full day of heavy usage.
We don’t expect any considerable upgrades to the camera system. We will likely see a single 12MP camera on the rear. Unfortunately, there won’t be an ultra-wide camera this time either. On the front, we will see a new 12MP camera that will enable 4K videos from the selfie camera. The front will also pack in the Face ID sensors, just like the iPhone XR.
Software:
The iPhone SE 4 will also come with the latest version of iOS — iOS 17. iOS 17 will bring significant changes and new features to the iPhone, such as the lock screen customization, new messages feature, and more. Like its predecessors, the iPhone SE 4 will likely receive software support for 5-6 years.
Here are the expected specs for iPhone SE 4:
- 6.1-inch 60Hz Liquid Retina Display
- Face ID with Notch
- iPhone XR design
- Rear camera: 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
- 2942mAh battery with 18W wired fast charging support and 7.5W wireless charging
- A15 Bionic Chip with 5-core GPU
- 3/4GB RAM and up to 256GB storage
- iOS 17
iPhone SE 4 Expected Price
- The iPhone SE 4 (2024) could be priced at $449 in the United States.
Apple’s current budget iPhone SE retails for $429. The price was just bumped last year by $29. Given the new design change and other upgrades, we might as well see a price bump with the iPhone SE 2024. If this happens to be accurate, Apple could price the iPhone SE 2024 at $449 or even $499. It will also be available in three storage variants — 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. These are just speculations, and the actual price is not yet official.
Another possibility could be the no price bump for the iPhone SE 2024. Earlier, it was leaked that the iPhone 14 Pro would see a price bump due to the new features and upgrades, which turned out to be false. We hope to see a similar take on the iPhone SE 2023.
Wrapping Up
So that’s pretty much everything we know about the iPhone SE 2024. Note that these are just speculations. The iPhone SE 2024 is expected to be released in March 2024. The phone is also said to have a design similar to the iPhone XR, with a 6.1-inch display. The processor is set to be the A15 Bionic, and the price is speculated to be around $449. What are your thoughts on the next-generation budget iPhone SE 4? Let us know.
I’ve been looking forward to the next iphone mini. The mini phone is great for people who don’t need to use their phone to watch videos. But iPhone SE 4 does not retain the home button. I really like the fingerprint unlock feature. I worried about unlocking when I forgot my password and facial recognition failed. If the home button is still retained, then I will buy it.
I have eagerly awaited an upgrade from my 8 Plus. Very exciting to see a larger phone retaining the button. Since the SE first came out, I have been disappointed that the release did not include a plus-size model. I do feel both should be offered, as there are multiple reasons why some people need a smaller-sized phone. If this is true, I am glad for the new SE 4!
changing the screen size will make me jump ship. The 4.7 of the SE 2/3 is perfect.
Too bad all iPhones are so large now, 6.1 inch is practically a tablet. How are we supposed to fit that in our pockets?
I’m hoping for smaller phones in the future, like the SE 1 (4 inch).
exactly , a mini but smart is probably the best
Please, a SMALL 5G pocketable hi-spec iPhone or we will be forced to look elsewhere even though we have been Apple fanatics for many years.
For a person with disabilities, a 6.1-inch screen is too large and unsuitable using one hand. I am very disappointed.
Sad to see touch ID go. I still have the 8plus and think that I will buy the gen 3 SE or go to a non-Apple phone.
Did not upgrade to iPhone 14 hoping the new se would still have home button . Very disappointing , but hope they do include it as so many iPhone users miss it.