When is the iPhone SE 4 release date? What you need to know about Apple’s mid-range miracle

After years of rumors, Apple may finally be readying the iPhone SE 4, an affordable smartphone that will offer the latest features at a fraction of the price of the iPhone 16.

Apple’s entry-level iPhones have been on the market since 2016, and the latest model (2022 iPhone SE 3) is currently on sale for £429. They are popular with those who prefer a smaller device without the additional cost.

With the upcoming model, Apple is expected to introduce a much-needed update to the SE’s design and specifications, bringing it in line with the current generation of iPhones.

As such, it may be the cheapest way to access the company’s new AI software, known as Apple Intelligence. Currently, photo editing and emoji generation features are intended for the more expensive iPhone 16 and last year’s high-end Pro models.

Here’s everything we know about the rumored device that’s sure to be a hit with budget-conscious shoppers this spring.

Say goodbye to the physical Home button on iPhone SE 3 and hello to Face ID

Apple

Apple’s annual updates to its iPhone lineup may seem minor to some, but the longer gap between SE models makes the improvements much more noticeable. The same should apply to iPhone SE 4.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, while leaving the SE 3 with a physical home button, a relic not seen on a standard iPhone since 2017, the new model will feature a modern, full-screen display.

iPhone SE 4 size and display

The front of the SE 4 may resemble the iPhone 14 from 2022

Apple

Despite the new look, it may still be a throwback in some ways. The iPhone SE 4 may resemble the iPhone 14, but it has a dividing notch at the top of the much larger and sharper 6.1-inch OLED display (compared to the 4.7-inch LCD panel on the SE 3).

This means that Dynamic Island, the pill-shaped notch that displays notifications, will only be available on premium models for the foreseeable future.

All in all, the borrowed SE 4’s display should be very close to the iPhone 16, offering similar resolution and pixel density, albeit with lower maximum brightness.

The iPhone SE 4 could borrow the 48MP wide camera from the iPhone 15

Apple

Since the Home button is a thing of the past, the iPhone SE 4 can also ditch Touch ID in favor of Face ID, allowing you to instantly unlock it with a beautiful face.

The biggest improvements will come under the hood, with Apple making the most of Victor Frankenstein by combining parts from its latest flagships to create a new smartphone.

To run Apple Intelligence, the SE 4 could house the same basic A18 chip as the standard iPhone 16. Unless Apple plans to reduce the number of AI features available on the device, it will also need to double its RAM from the current 4GB to at least 8GB.

The iPhone SE 4 could feature the same chip as the iPhone 16 to unlock Apple Intelligence AI

Apple

While the SE 4 won’t jump from one rear camera to two, the snapper should be increased from 12MP to 48MP, which will provide 2x optical zoom for better close-ups. The 7MP selfie camera can also be swapped for a 12MP camera. Both will apparently be exported from the 2023 iPhone 15.

It’s worth noting that the SE 4 could also be the first iPhone to feature Apple’s self-built 5G modem, according to 9to5Mac. While it’s unclear what benefit this will have on the Bat, there are rumors that it could extend battery life, especially in low power mode.

There are rumors that the phone could be much larger than its predecessor, with an edge-to-edge display and much smaller bezels

Apple

Apple has not yet confirmed the existence of the device, so any predictions regarding the release date should be taken with a pinch of salt.

According to reputable technology news source Ice Universe SE 4, it could be launched sometime between March and May 2025. Elsewhere, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Apple expert Ming Chi Kuo separately indicated that it could be launched early next year and in the first quarter.

All these improvements may come at a cost. Apple is expected to charge between $499 and $549 for the SE 4, which could range from £499 to £549 in the UK.

The higher cost would push it to the very top of the mid-range category.

iPhone SE 4 sounds too good to be true.

A repackaged version of the iPhone 14 would be good enough, but the addition of a new, improved camera and the latest A18 chip is a big bonus.

Thanks to its larger size and OLED display (the first in the SE offer), it could easily compete with the Pixel 8a and Samsung Galaxy S24 FE for the title of the best mid-budget smartphone.

A cheaper device equipped with Apple Intelligence must hurt iPhone 15 owners who lost artificial intelligence by a year. But for everyone else, SE 4 sounds like a winner. It should be the perfect birthday gift for moms, dads and grandparents, as well as a solid starter phone for teenagers.