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iPhone SE 4 Camera Modules to Enter Mass Production Next Month

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Apple's camera module supplier for the upcoming iPhone SE 4 is set to begin mass production of the components in December, according to a new report coming out of Korea.

iPhone-SE-4-Thumb-1.jpg

Economic newspaper Ajunews reports that LG Innotek will supply the front camera module for the budget-friendly fourth-generation device. Final tests are now said to be underway, with mass production of the module following next month.

The outlet reports that LG Innotek usually supplies camera modules around three months before the launch of new smartphones, which tallies with rumors of an iPhone SE 4 launch in March or April 2025. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo estimates that Apple suppliers will produce around 8.6 million iPhone SE 4 units through the first quarter of next year.

The sub-$500 device is expected to feature a design similar to the base iPhone 14. Rumored specifications include a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, a newer A-series chip, a USB-C port, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, 8GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence, and Apple's first in-house 5G modem. Apple released the existing iPhone SE in March 2022.

Article Link: iPhone SE 4 Camera Modules to Enter Mass Production Next Month
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/11/12/iphone-se-4-camera-enter-mass-production-december/
Pretty exciting news for many basic iPhone users. Those on iPhone XR or 11 should see this as a very suitable upgrade.

SE4 feels a bit like the M4 Mac mini of iPhone. I’d expect storage to start at 64GB at $499.
 
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BBCWatcher said:
Or just replace the battery?
Click to expand...
But for example it turns out I need more than 64GB and I use mini anyway. I'm also considering a new phone as a christmas / birthday present to myself because I have no friends and wont get gifts from anyone else. I'm stuck between iPhone 14 and some Android phone.
 
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JPack said:
Pretty exciting news for many basic iPhone users. Those on iPhone XR or 11 should see this as a very suitable upgrade.

SE4 feels a bit like the M4 Mac mini of iPhone. I’d expect storage to start at 64GB at $499.
Click to expand...
I dunno, I think 64 GB may be too outdated at this point. The base iPhone has started with 128GB since 2021 and the current SE is the only one which has started with less storage than the flagship.
 
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Between M4 and this SE, Apple will have an extremely compelling and competitive lineup in 2025, maybe the best ever.
The only red flag could be the inbred 5G modem, I'll believe it's good only when I see it.
 
iHorseHead said:
But for example it turns out I need more than 64GB and I use mini anyway. I'm also considering a new phone as a christmas / birthday present to myself because I have no friends and wont get gifts from anyone else. I'm stuck between iPhone 14 and some Android phone.
Click to expand...
FYI: iPhone 14 (256GB) is on sale at Walmart for $299.

iPhone 13 (128GB) is on sale from Staight Talk for $244.00 ($399.00 + $45 Silver plan - $200.00). Auto unlocks after 60 days.
13.png
 
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sw1tcher said:
FYI: iPhone 14 (256GB) is on sale at Walmart for $299.

iPhone 13 (128GB) is on sale from Staight Talk for $244.00 ($399.00 + $45 Silver plan - $200.00). Auto unlocks after 60 days.
View attachment 2450306
Click to expand...
I am not sure whether or not you're replying to me or as in general information or both, but in my country there's no Walmart and iPhone 14 is 620€ (256GB)
I'm waiting for Christmas discounts (I hope there will be at least some). Usually there is for Android phones, but not for iPhones and Apple products in general. We'll see.
 
iHorseHead said:
I am not sure whether or not you're replying to me or as in general information or both, but in my country there's no Walmart and iPhone 14 is 620€ (256GB)
I'm waiting for Christmas discounts (I hope there will be at least some). Usually there is for Android phones, but not for iPhones and Apple products in general. We'll see.
Click to expand...
I was responding to you in case you lived in the U.S. If not, then useful info for others.

WarmWinterHat said:
I'd pick this new SE over a 13 or 14. It'll be updated longer and has USB-C.
Click to expand...
The new SE will get an extra 2 or 3 years of extra updates over the 14 and 13, respectively, as it (SE) is supposedly going to get the same chip as the 16. Not a huge deal breaker. The SE will also be about 2x more expensive than the 13 and 14 too.

Some people might prefer the 256GB storage of the 14 over the lesser amount of storge on the upcoming SE.

USB-C... is it really that important for some people?

If the upcoming SE only has 1 single camera lens like all prior SE's, that might be another deal breaker vs the 2 lenses on the 13 and 14... not to mention the Apple-designed modem.
 
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iHorseHead said:
But for example it turns out I need more than 64GB and I use mini anyway. I'm also considering a new phone as a christmas / birthday present to myself because I have no friends and wont get gifts from anyone else. I'm stuck between iPhone 14 and some Android phone.
Click to expand...
That's the saddest thing I've heard in a long time. Are you homebound?
 
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Paddle1 said:
I dunno, I think 64 GB may be too outdated at this point. The base iPhone has started with 128GB since 2021 and the current SE is the only one which has started with less storage than the flagship.
Click to expand...

My guess is that starting storage will be 128GB but I wouldn't be shocked if it's 64GB. To keep the advertised starting price under $500 in the U.S., Apple could play the "includes $30 connectivity discount" game with one or more carriers like they do with new 14, 15 and 16 non-Pro models.

iPhone SE 4
128GB - $499 (including $30 connectivity discount, $529 otherwise)
256GB - $599 (including $30 connectivity discount, $629 otherwise)
512GB - $799 (including $30 connectivity discount, $829 otherwise)
 
Paddle1 said:
I dunno, I think 64 GB may be too outdated at this point. The base iPhone has started with 128GB since 2021 and the current SE is the only one which has started with less storage than the flagship.
Click to expand...

It may be outdated, but it's the realistic expectation.

If it comes with 128GB and is priced at or below $500, it's in direct competition with iPhone 14. Even if the iPhone 14 gets discontinued upon SE4 launch, the iPhone 15 will face the same competition from SE4 only 6 months later in September 2025.
 
webkit said:
My guess is that starting storage will be 128GB but I wouldn't be shocked if it's 64GB. To keep the advertised starting price under $500 in the U.S., Apple could play the "includes $30 connectivity discount" game with one or more carriers like they do with new 14, 15 and 16 non-Pro models.

iPhone SE 4
128GB - $499 (including $30 connectivity discount, $529 otherwise)
256GB - $599 (including $30 connectivity discount, $629 otherwise)
512GB - $799 (including $30 connectivity discount, $829 otherwise)
Click to expand...

Apple already had the opportunity to play that game when the SE3 refresh was launched in 2022. Instead, Apple chose a straight up price increase of $30. What makes SE4 different?
 
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sw1tcher said:
I was responding to you in case you lived in the U.S. If not, then useful info for others.


The new SE will get an extra 2 or 3 years of extra updates over the 13 and 14, respectively, as it (SE) is supposedly going to get the same chip as the 16. Not a huge deal breaker. The SE will also be about 2x more expensive than the 13 and 14 too.

Some people might prefer the 256GB storage of the 14 over the lesser amount of storge on the upcoming SE.

USB-C... is it really that important for some people?

If the upcoming SE only has 1 single camera lens like all prior SE's, that might be another deal breaker vs the 2 lenses on the 13 and 14... not to mention the Apple-designed modem.
Click to expand...

Good point on the storage issue. We'll see what the offer.

The modem is a big deal. I don't personally like being an early adopter and wouldn't want the first round of these, but I might end up with one anyway as my company only offers the SE to employees.

USB-C is really nice, now that I have it, and I quickly passed my lightning cables and such to other people with older devices. I kept one for my AirPods.
 
Looking forward to replacing my old SE2. I haven't updated due to lack of direct need and all the deals requiring the most expensive phone plans. I hope this one is good.
 
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webkit said:
My guess is that starting storage will be 128GB but I wouldn't be shocked if it's 64GB. To keep the advertised starting price under $500 in the U.S., Apple could play the "includes $30 connectivity discount" game with one or more carriers like they do with new 14, 15 and 16 non-Pro models.

iPhone SE 4
128GB - $499 (including $30 connectivity discount, $529 otherwise)
256GB - $599 (including $30 connectivity discount, $629 otherwise)
512GB - $799 (including $30 connectivity discount, $829 otherwise)
Click to expand...
If blanket 10% to 20% tariff proposals go through (60% to 100% for imports coming from China), we can all expect higher prices than those.
 
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JPack said:
Apple already had the opportunity to play that game when the SE3 refresh was launched in 2022. Instead, Apple chose a straight up price increase of $30. What makes SE4 different?
Click to expand...

The potential starting price increase could be much higher (e.g., $100 for the SE 4 versus $30 for the SE 3) and the "connectivity discount" could soften the blow a bit and keep the advertised price under $500.

I'm not sure why the "$30 connectivity discount" is limited to certain phones anyway. It's available with select carriers on the iPhone 14/14 Plus, 15/15 Plus, and 16/16 Plus but not the SE, 16 Pro or 16 Pro Max.
 
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