Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
67,662
38,089


Apple's budget-friendly iPhone SE is set for a major overhaul with a fourth generation model expected to launch in spring 2025. The upcoming model will mark a significant departure from its predecessors, adopting several features from higher-end iPhones while maintaining its position as the most affordable new model in Apple's lineup.

iPhone-SE-4-Thumb-2.5.jpg

According to recent reports, the iPhone SE 4 will sport a design reminiscent of the iPhone 14, featuring a larger 6.1-inch OLED display. This marks a substantial increase from the current model's 4.7-inch LCD screen and brings the SE line in line with Apple's flagship devices in terms of display technology.

The move to OLED is part of Apple's broader strategy to phase out LCD displays across its iPhone lineup. This shift will impact longstanding suppliers like Japan Display and Sharp, who have primarily provided LCD panels for previous SE models.

In terms of performance, the iPhone SE 4 is rumored to be powered by the A18 chip, which debuted in the iPhone 16 series last month. The device is also expected to make the switch from Touch ID to Face ID, marking the end of the road for the iPhone's physical Home button.

Other notable upgrades include:
  • USB-C port, replacing the Lightning connector.
  • Action button, a feature introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro.
  • Apple-designed 5G modem.
  • 48MP rear camera, up from the current 12MP sensor.
  • 8GB of RAM, double the current model's 4GB.
The increase in RAM is particularly significant, as it will enable the iPhone SE 4 to support Apple Intelligence, the company's suite of AI features, which are expected to begin rolling out with the release of iOS 18.1 later this month. This inclusion would make the SE 4 the most affordable iPhone capable of running these advanced AI features (something last year's standard iPhone 15 models are unable to do).

Despite these substantial upgrades, Apple is expected to maintain the iPhone SE's position as a budget-friendly option. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests the device will likely be priced between $400 and $500, in line with previous models.

As for timing, multiple sources, including Gurman and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, point to a spring 2025 release. Given that all previous iPhone SE models were announced in March, a March 2025 launch seems highly probable. Apple suppliers are reportedly gearing up to begin mass production in October of this year, setting the stage for an early 2025 release.

Article Link: Apple's Next New iPhone to Debut in the Spring: What to Expect
 


Apple's budget-friendly iPhone SE is set for a major overhaul with a fourth generation model expected to launch in spring 2025. The upcoming model will mark a significant departure from its predecessors, adopting several features from higher-end iPhones while maintaining its position as the most affordable new model in Apple's lineup.

iPhone-SE-4-Thumb-2.5.jpg

According to recent reports, the iPhone SE 4 will sport a design reminiscent of the iPhone 14, featuring a larger 6.1-inch OLED display. This marks a substantial increase from the current model's 4.7-inch LCD screen and brings the SE line in line with Apple's flagship devices in terms of display technology.

The move to OLED is part of Apple's broader strategy to phase out LCD displays across its iPhone lineup. This shift will impact longstanding suppliers like Japan Display and Sharp, who have primarily provided LCD panels for previous SE models.

In terms of performance, the iPhone SE 4 is rumored to be powered by the A18 chip, which debuted in the iPhone 16 series last month. The device is also expected to make the switch from Touch ID to Face ID, marking the end of the road for the iPhone's physical Home button.

Other notable upgrades include:
  • USB-C port, replacing the Lightning connector.
  • Action button, a feature introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro.
  • Apple-designed 5G modem.
  • 48MP rear camera, up from the current 12MP sensor.
  • 8GB of RAM, double the current model's 4GB.
The increase in RAM is particularly significant, as it will enable the iPhone SE 4 to support Apple Intelligence, the company's suite of AI features, which are expected to begin rolling out with the release of iOS 18.1 later this month. This inclusion would make the SE 4 the most affordable iPhone capable of running these advanced AI features (something last year's standard iPhone 15 models are unable to do).

Despite these substantial upgrades, Apple is expected to maintain the iPhone SE's position as a budget-friendly option. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests the device will likely be priced between $400 and $500, in line with previous models.

As for timing, multiple sources, including Gurman and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, point to a spring 2025 release. Given that all previous iPhone SE models were announced in March, a March 2025 launch seems highly probable. Apple suppliers are reportedly gearing up to begin mass production in October of this year, setting the stage for an early 2025 release.

Article Link: Apple's Next New iPhone to Debut in the Spring: What to Expect
In that case I will hang onto my SE2 with it's "tiny" screen as long as I can.
 
I really doubt it will have the action button. They will reuse the housing from base iPhone 14 models to cut costs. There is absolutely no need for the action button anyway as it’s a gimmick that nobody needs and they need some way to differentiate from base iPhone 16 models other than cameras and Dynamic Island.
 
Main mini models didn't sell enough to justify production and distracting potential buyers from bigger, pricier phones.
Why should Apple give people who want something "special" a cheaper, custom developed way to get it?
Because they already invested into the R&D for that form factor. Might as well milk it all the way down. A 13 mini form factor with slightly updated chip and USB-C would already cater to a good portion of the market.
There is absolutely nothing "mini" about the mini and it's really unfortunate apple marketed it that way. People thought they would be getting a small phone and hence opted for the larger model. They likely did this to get better profit margin of course.
 
I don't understand the mini fetishism; they appear on every single thread. Only 3 people on the internet bought one, and Apple has since halted production. If there was any significant sales, Tim Apple would definitely continue it.

If the specifications are accurate, this would be a far better purchase compared to the iPhone 16 Pro, at just 30% of the price.
 
Imagine forking out £799 for a phone with the same features as those in the £499,

Or a £999 device with the same RAM and similar chip to the cheap phone

What a joke
loving fathoming arguments based on singular feature set. Saying anything basic with a smirk and pure confidence does indeed make you stand out in today's society.

Imaging people spending 300k on a GT3 RS with slower performance than a 120k Tesla Plaid.
Or buying an oceanfront Laguna beach house with less sq-ft space than a home in Utah.

what a joke
 
You guys all hammering for the Mini didn’t actually buy it. That’s why Apple stopped production of the 13 Mini halfway through the year. Apple doesn’t listen to y’all anymore. Find something else to moan about.
I bought it. I love it. I still use it today. I will never upgrade My 12 mini until and unless it completely stops working. This new SE is way too big and will be very heavy as a result. My main issue isn’t the screen size of these phones… it’s the weight. They’re like carrying around a brick in your pocket.
 
Because they already invested into the R&D for that form factor. Might as well milk it all the way down. A 13 mini form factor with slightly updated chip and USB-C would already cater to a good portion of the market.
There is absolutely nothing "mini" about the mini and it's really unfortunate apple marketed it that way. People thought they would be getting a small phone and hence opted for the larger model. They likely did this to get better profit margin of course.
Well, it still doesn't come at zero development cost (you also still have to give it its own production and assembly line).
How many people are you doing that for? Even the tiny number of buyers doesn't tell the old story.
You make money from people who would have bought an Android phone (still, good luck with a decent small one) and people who don't upgrade if the phone is too big (many of them will accept bigger sizes eventually... and the ones you convert will soon fall into a more regular upgrade path. That's more money!).
But you lose money with all the people who would have bought a regular iPhone or even a Pro but choose the mini just because of the form factor.
There's no scenario where a Mini is very good for Apple IMHO.
Plus, they've always been the kind of people who tell you what you're supposed to like and get used to as a customer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chuckeee


Apple's budget-friendly iPhone SE is set for a major overhaul with a fourth generation model expected to launch in spring 2025. The upcoming model will mark a significant departure from its predecessors, adopting several features from higher-end iPhones while maintaining its position as the most affordable new model in Apple's lineup.

iPhone-SE-4-Thumb-2.5.jpg

According to recent reports, the iPhone SE 4 will sport a design reminiscent of the iPhone 14, featuring a larger 6.1-inch OLED display. This marks a substantial increase from the current model's 4.7-inch LCD screen and brings the SE line in line with Apple's flagship devices in terms of display technology.

The move to OLED is part of Apple's broader strategy to phase out LCD displays across its iPhone lineup. This shift will impact longstanding suppliers like Japan Display and Sharp, who have primarily provided LCD panels for previous SE models.

In terms of performance, the iPhone SE 4 is rumored to be powered by the A18 chip, which debuted in the iPhone 16 series last month. The device is also expected to make the switch from Touch ID to Face ID, marking the end of the road for the iPhone's physical Home button.

Other notable upgrades include:
  • USB-C port, replacing the Lightning connector.
  • Action button, a feature introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro.
  • Apple-designed 5G modem.
  • 48MP rear camera, up from the current 12MP sensor.
  • 8GB of RAM, double the current model's 4GB.
The increase in RAM is particularly significant, as it will enable the iPhone SE 4 to support Apple Intelligence, the company's suite of AI features, which are expected to begin rolling out with the release of iOS 18.1 later this month. This inclusion would make the SE 4 the most affordable iPhone capable of running these advanced AI features (something last year's standard iPhone 15 models are unable to do).

Despite these substantial upgrades, Apple is expected to maintain the iPhone SE's position as a budget-friendly option. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests the device will likely be priced between $400 and $500, in line with previous models.

As for timing, multiple sources, including Gurman and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, point to a spring 2025 release. Given that all previous iPhone SE models were announced in March, a March 2025 launch seems highly probable. Apple suppliers are reportedly gearing up to begin mass production in October of this year, setting the stage for an early 2025 release.

Article Link: Apple's Next New iPhone to Debut in the Spring: What to Expect
I have a 15 Pro, but I kinda am over the massive camera array. So much so that I might downgrade to a modern iPhone if it only has a single camera.

I feel like the photos I’ve taken have been great for many years, specifically when I had the XR, I got some shots that I’m still super impressed by. That phone only had 1 camera.

The user experience as a physical device having a minimal camera bump is very high to me. I didn’t think the pro camera setup would bother me, and it didn’t with my 11 Pro or my 12 Pro, but this 15 Pro has just gotten too big. Out of hand.

Give me one little camera, which I am absolutely sure will still take awesome shots, and I may downgrade to an SE next year.
 
If this has the Dynamic Island rather than a notch, then it's probably my next phone.
I went for the iPhone 14 Pro at my last upgrade because I value an optical zoom, but with a 48MP sensor I still get solid 12MP 2x zoom shots with the main camera.
I'm not upgrading to the iPhone 16 because I'm not willing to fork out £1k to get access to Apple Intelligence, but at the right price this could be an interesting choice.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: System603
Here are some other possible omissions in the 2025 iPhone SE:
  • satellite communications
  • Ultra Wideband
  • mmWave
  • MagSafe wireless charging
  • more than 3 (2?) colors
  • more than 256GB flash storage (but 128GB seems likely as the base)
  • Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
  • an included USB-C cable (except where legally required)
I think it's also possible the 2025 iPhone SE could include a slightly cut down ("parts binned") A18 processor with a 4-core GPU and/or 14-core Neural Engine.

I wonder whether the iPhone 16's battery design improvements will make it to the 2025 iPhone SE. Apple probably wouldn't mind the higher cost battery for some recurring revenue.😐

Will the 2025 iPhone SE necessarily have Face ID? Maybe iPad-style Touch ID (on a side button) is an option?
 
I can't see how a $500 phone would be 3 generations faster than the IPhone 14 for $100 less. The only differentiator would be the ultrawide camera many people don't really care for.

Either it has the A15/16 instead of the A18.
Or it's smaller.
Or it's more expensive.

If it is all of the above, as rumored, Apple could just as well stop selling the iPhone 14 and 15.

I for one hope it has a smaller form factor than rumored.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.