Should You Wait for the iPhone SE 4?

The American Tech Giant unveiled their “Special Edition” series in 2016 with their all-new iPhone SE. After two years, the first generation device was discontinued in 2018, and the company launched the iPhone SE 2020 later. Apple’s intention behind the SE launch is to provide consumers with a powerful performance in a small form factor and in an economical way.

However, from the current perspective, the new generation has now gained a habit of a bezel-less front design provided by many smartphone manufacturers. Unfortunately, the opposite is true with Apple, especially with the iPhone SE series.

To those unaware, the iPhone SE provides gigantic bezels, which sounds illegal compared to the latest developments in display technology. In the iPhone SE, the top portion holds the iconic Face ID, and at the bottom is the company’s proprietary home button, which also serves the Touch ID purpose.

To revive the same establishment, the iPhone SE 4 (The fourth generation of the series) is arriving soon. However, as derived from the previous rumors, the smartphone will likely differ this time. Previous words indicate that it will be more or less similar to the iPhone X despite the other standard “SE” features remaining the same. Now, it has been said that it will look identical to the 13 or 14 series.

The leaks for the device have been surfacing around the internet for a long time, and so is the case right now. Now and then, a new rumor shares something exciting about the upcoming iPhone SE 4.

So, to ease your understanding, this article will comprehensively discuss the upcoming iPhone’s significant parameters in every possible detail. So, if you are waiting for a smartphone, this is the right place for you. Without wasting time any further, let’s get started.

iPhone SE 4 Design

Speaking of the iPhone SE third generation (SE 3), the device was launched after the iPhone 8 series. It featured a 4.7-inch display with gigantic bezels on top and bottom. The top holds the Face ID sensor, while the base has the Home button (also used for Touch ID recognition).

However, this time, we may see a change in the design department. The fourth generation iPhone SE will feature a front design similar to the current Apple flagship devices like the iPhone 12, 13, 14, etc. The company will equip the same display to manufacture the smartphone because of the economic benefits.

Apple’s Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the upcoming iPhone SE 4 will look similar to the iPhone 14. Further, a renowned leaker also confirmed this by saying, “effectively an iPhone 14 derivative”.

Fortunately, this time, instead of the company’s proprietary lightning port, we will likely see USB Type-C integration in the smartphone, similar to their recently launched iPhone 15 series. However, we don’t know if they will give USB 2.0 or 3.0 speeds.

More interestingly, the upcoming iPhone SE 4 will have an Action button instead of the mute buttons used in the previous three generations. To recall, the recently launched iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max only have the Action button functionality. All these factors will see a significant price jump and will likely touch the base number series prices.

iPhone SE 4 Display

As the upcoming iPhone SE 4’s design will be based on the iPhone 14, the display size will most likely be the same as the smartphone. Hence, it is expected that the device could bring a 6.1-inch display.

Also, there is a high chance that the smartphone will use an OLED display. Starting with the iPhone 12, the company made all their smartphones available to use OLED collections. The SE series is the only smartphone department left to utilize OLED technology instead of LCD. So, we could expect the smartphone to feature a 6.1-inch OLED screen.

Since the design is similar to the iPhone 14, the SE 4 will likely have a notch where it will have the Face ID sensor and TrueDepth camera. Hence, the iPhone SE 3 will be the last to feature a capacitive Home button enclosing a Touch ID authentication. The unveiled iPhone 15 series entirely uses a Dynamic Island notch, so this smartphone will look different in the category by the time it comes out.

iPhone SE 4 Processor

The third generation iPhone SE featured an A15 Bionic Chipset used in the iPhone 13 series. This wasn’t the same A15 but was made with changes like adding a 4-core GPU. To recall, the iPhone 14 series has used two types of chipsets: the standard variants used the same A15, while the Pro variants used the A16.

Similar is the case this time with the iPhone 15 series. The standard variants have the previous A16, while the Pro variants have the latest A17 Pro. Nonetheless, we cannot hope the company will choose the ultimate smartphone chipset in their iPhone SE series since they intend to offer it in a budget premium segment.

On the contrary, there is a high chance that the SE 4 will have the A16 Bionic chipset. Otherwise, depending on its launch date, the chipset selection may vary. Let’s wait for more information on the same.

Release Window

We have been discussing the product for a long time, but the launch date is still a mystery. Many tipsters and famous analysts have speculated about its launch, but the company is not officially disclosing anything related. The estimated time has passed, but it was never launched.

Jumping back, the original iPhone SE was launched in 2016, followed by the 2nd generation in 2020. The third generation was launched previous year in 2022. But, this year, it is unclear when the iPhone’s 4th generation is coming. The launch is expected in 2025.

As per Ming-Chi Kuo, he expects the launch to be in late 2024. This data was shared in February. Since then, there have been no signs of an official release date. Plus, Apple is not sharing any indications that will help us analyze that the product is indeed launching at some date.

The late 2024 launch may be rescheduled, and we may see the upcoming fourth-generation iPhone SE in 2025. Let’s wait and hope for the official information from the company. We will update you accordingly.

Expected Price

To understand Apple’s pricing structure, we must look back in history. The iPhone SE and SE 2 were both priced at $399. The successor got a price jump of $30; the price jumped from $399 to $429. However, this time, we cannot expect such smaller price increments.

Given that the company will bring significant changes to the design (no more prominent notch, Action button, USB Type-C), display (iPhone 14 look-alike), and processor (A16), we don’t expect it to be priced less. On the other hand, every company nearly increases the prices as they level up the specifications, and Apple is no exception. We all have observed that with the iPhone 15 series.

The display, which used to be the Liquid Retina in the past three generations, will now be OLED; this time, the use of OLED will result in a price bump. The SoC selection is yet unknown. However, it is sure that the more the upcoming launch is delayed, the latest will be the chipset, and hence, cost increases.

Additionally, some issues were occurring with the iPhone SE 2023’s [Depending upon the official launch date, the moniker will keep changing (iPhone SE 2024* etc.)] OLED display supply chain. This factor may also affect the device launch or the pricing.

Furthermore, the company should be aware of the available competition in the market and price their product accordingly. Reasonable pricing is critical to sustain in a disruptive segment for now. The other competitors also have increased the pricing concerning their upgraded specifications. So, it is most likely that the upcoming iPhone SE 4 will not be as cheap as we expect.

From our point of view, it should not be priced beyond $500, considering the premium options from the same company. For comparison, the latest base configuration of the iPhone 15 costs $799. Remember that these prices have been constant for the past two generations (the iPhone 13 and the iPhone 14).

Considering its sibling’s prices, we hope the upcoming iPhone SE 4 will be priced at less than $499. Otherwise, it is more sensible for people to spend some extra bucks and get the better option instead of purchasing an old-looking device.

What do you think of the upcoming iPhone SE fourth generation? What price do you think Apple will set? When do you think it will launch in the country? Let us know in the comments section below. Keep an eye out; we will keep updating the post based on the latest developments.