iPhone SE 4 Case Leak Suggests Device May Not Feature Action Button

[contacos]

what a waste of resources to be honest, especially since it no longer even has the "for people that want a smaller phone" excuse. Just sell the iPhone 14 on a discount with an "exclusive color option" for those people that want to show off that they got something new.

 

[julesme]

Others may not agree with me, but I’d honestly rather have the old silent / ring switch on my iPhone 16 Pro.

 

[klasma]

Apple sends out dimensions to case manufacturers in advance

Which is why MacRumors’ speculation here makes no sense: “It's possible that the case manufacturer has left a cutout simply because they don't know if the button will be present or not.”

No manufacturer will start producing cases without the CAD specs from Apple.

 

[klasma]

Lastly, It’s ok to have a slightly fatter (read: comfy to hold) phone if it adds battery and lens space.

Except that it also means heavier. I wouldn’t mind an iPhone 3G style design though, regarding comfort.

 

[klasma]

what a waste of resources to be honest, especially since it no longer even has the "for people that want a smaller phone" excuse. Just sell the iPhone 14 on a discount with an "exclusive color option" for those people that want to show off that they got something new.

The iPhone 14 doesn’t support Apple Intelligence, the SE4 likely will. They’d also need to switch from Lightning to USB-C even for just a new color option.

 

[klky]

Not a huge fan of either the action button or camera control button to be honest. Wouldn't mind a simple phone with a single camera lens system and without all these extra buttons. Unfortunately, Apple will purposely gimp it with thicker bezels, a notch and 60 Hz display.

 

[Slix]

You can already automate Focus modes (based on time, location, when you step into your car, ...) and add System Filters to turn on Silent Mode. So I guess you can realise what you want without a dedicated hardware button.

Can you show me in Settings what you're referring to? I see an option for "Silence Notifications" but it only refers to ones that are "silenced" already (like if you have Snapchat disabled, but want to see them come through when the phone is unlocked still).

 

[HVDynamo]

For years, there was this evolution towards minimalism and fewer buttons. And now we see the reverse. I have the 15 Pro and never used the Action button because I don't find a useful case that needs to be promoted and always reachable. And I always forget it's there.

I really want the home button and TouchID back. The way I interfaced with the phone felt so much smoother back then to me. Now the phone can't decide which direction I'm trying to swipe somewhat frequently, or things I'm trying to swipe when I want to long press (bring back 3D touch too!) The usability of the phone has taken a nose dive since faceID in my opinion. I have to type in my passcode way more often than I ever did with TouchID.

 

[DHPersonal]

Can you show me in Settings what you're referring to? I see an option for "Silence Notifications" but it only refers to ones that are "silenced" already (like if you have Snapchat disabled, but want to see them come through when the phone is unlocked still).

Set up a Focus on iPhone

Set up a Focus on iPhone to help you concentrate by reducing distractions.

support.apple.com

 

[DavidSchaub]

Why in the world would anyone suggest the SE4 would have gotten the Action Button?

Given the device is expected to be an iPhone 14 with:
- a single camera back
- USB-C
- a new SOC

I'd be surprised by any other chassis changes that aren't absolutely necessary.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Not a huge fan of either the action button or camera control button to be honest. Wouldn't mind a simple phone with a single camera lens system and without all these extra buttons. Unfortunately, Apple will purposely gimp it with thicker bezels, a notch and 60 Hz display.

Agreed. I understand I could disable the new buttons if/when my next iPhone has them, but I'd prefer simplicity. Funny how we used to complain about Jonny's minimalism making things less useful, and while I like to see ports returning to MacBook pro's, I'm surprised Apple is adding button clutter to their most desired handheld device.

 

[Slix]

Set up a Focus on iPhone

Set up a Focus on iPhone to help you concentrate by reducing distractions.

support.apple.com

That doesn't silence the phone itself though. For example, if you send a text with your ringer ON, and have "silence notifications" ON, it still makes the noise when you send a text or click the lock button and it makes the lock noise.

I want my phone to be silenced (mute switch) when I'm at work, but make notification sounds when I'm everywhere else automatically. You can't automate the mute switch without the Action Button being an option (at least I'm pretty sure). It's one feature I miss from my iPod touch actually, having it in Control Center as a quick mute option.

 

[mashdots]

I really like my action button since i can change its functionality based on focus mode, but it's not a dealbreaker for me. What i'd really like to see in an SE is a smaller form factor. Apple's really great with accessibility but it feels like there's a bit of a disconnect in that they keep making bigger phones which are more unwieldy for people with smaller hands.

 

[turbineseaplane]

iPhone SE 2028 coming with a 6.11" display

Should be fun to see exactly how little Apple tries to get away with innovating over the years ahead here

(yes, there is a lot of room to innovate even in the SE lineup -- they choose not to)

 

[orev]

Why manufacturer would start producing cases not knowing if there should be a cutout or not? It looks like it's not even a rumor, it's a clickbait.

Apple sends out dimensions to case manufacturers in advance

Which is why MacRumors’ speculation here makes no sense: “It's possible that the case manufacturer has left a cutout simply because they don't know if the button will be present or not.”

No manufacturer will start producing cases without the CAD specs from Apple.

Only a few trusted ones would get the dimensions ahead of time, like Belkin, etc., everyone else is just guessing based on rumors. People expect to buy a case on the same day of launch, so the competition between all case manufacturers is very strong. The ones who make cheap cases don't have relationships with Apple, but they still need to prepare as best they can.

When the 15 came out with the action button, it was only a rumor and there were many cases that did not have a proper button to cover it. Many went with the cutout because it's the safe option as it works with both the switch or action button.

Have family members where losing the Home button will be the deal breaker.

Having the Action button would be a nice workaround. But without? Probably will switch them to current SEs to get past this and buy a few years.

I had the same, but then when they actually switched to the new design without the button, it only took them a few times to get used to swiping up. It's really not a big deal for the vast majority. I could see it as an issue for people who may need severe accessibility accommodations. If you're just worried about an elderly person not being able to adapt to it, it's very likely it won't actually be a problem. They already know how to use apps and everything else on the touch screen.

 

[amaze1499]

Serial leaker Sonny Dickson has shared an image on social media purporting to show a case designed for Apple's unannounced iPhone SE 4. The case aligns with most rumors about the device, expected to launch in the spring, but there is one difference.

Rumors have suggested that the iPhone SE 4 will have a design similar to the iPhone 14, featuring an all-display design with Face ID instead of Touch ID, a 6.06-inch display, OLED display technology instead of LCD, a USB-C port, a single 48-megapixel rear camera located in a horizontal oblong bump, an Apple-designed 5G modem, 8GB RAM, a notch, and perhaps a multi-purpose Action button to replace the mute switch.

Most of the rumored design changes align with what can be seen in the image. However, if you look closely, there's a cut-out on the side above the location of the volume controls that appears to be an opening for a physical mute/silent switch. It's possible that the case manufacturer has left a cutout simply because they don't know if the button will be present or not. But given that Apple suppliers are expected to begin ramping up mass production of the device this month, it could be that Apple has chosen not to add an Action button, despite the fact that all iPhone 16 models inherited the button from 2023's iPhone 15 Pro models.

Some users may consider the lack of a programmable Action button a deal breaker, but we're betting most iPhone SE buyers wouldn't care. In our own online poll conducted earlier this year, half of iPhone 15 Pro users who participated said they forgot the Action button was even there, while many said they had it set to function essentially as a mute/silent switch replacement. The results suggest the button is popular with a more niche cohort of power users (i.e. not the kind of customers most likely to be interested in the more affordable iPhone SE 4).

There's a small possibility that the iPhone SE 4 could be released ahead of the Lunar New Year in January 2025. However, all three previous iPhone SE models were announced in March over the years, so a spring 2025 release seems most likely.

Article Link: iPhone SE 4 Case Leak Suggests Device May Not Feature Action Button

… instead it will feature one brilliant 6,1“ touchscreen.

But relax, it’s just a rumour.

 

[geta]

The only things I'm interested in are smaller screen than 6” and TouchID... and those two things won't happen.

 

[rp2011]

This is turning out to be quite an interesting phone.

 

[Chuckeee]

Most of the rumored design changes align with what can be seen in the image.

“Most” is a bit of a stretch. How does a phone case tell you:
All-display design with Face ID instead of Touch ID.
OLED display technology instead of LCD.
The camera is 48-megapixel.
It uses an Apple-designed 5G modem.
It has 8GB RAM.

I am not doubting the validity of those SE4 rumors. I’m just criticizing the use of “most”. There are some things that the case does imply about the design, but they’re a whole lot of things that are independent of the appearance of the phone case.

 

[Reason077]

Except that it also means heavier. I wouldn’t mind an iPhone 3G style design though, regarding comfort.

aka: iPhone X style. I agree with you - those designs were more physically comfortable to hold.

It bothered me for a while after upgrading from my X. But what I’ve realised now days is that if you use a phone case, it doesn’t matter. And if anything, the squared shape of the modern phones makes them work better with phone cases.

 

[Reason077]

Will be quite tempted to upgrade to this from my iPhone 13. I’m still very happy with the 13, it’s a great phone… except that the Lightning port drives me nuts!

The only thing that gives me second thoughts is the single-lens camera. Will the 48MP sensor be enough to compensate for the loss of the ultra-wide lens?

(What I’d really like is a macro lens, but I can’t justify buying a Pro just for that one feature…)

 

[Lift Bar]

Thought I’d love the action button on the 15 pro max. But almost never use it. Have tried various actions Think I’d like the capture button better on the 16 because of the placement… but who knows

 

[picpicmac]

Serial leaker Sonny Dickson

Maybe Sonny should see out a physician for that.

 

[LXC101]

Thinking apple will put the action button on the SE when it was a pro feature last year is peak delulu

 

[FatLouie]

I passed on the 15 and 16 for various reasons but, if the SE has a high speed 3 USB-C, I will buy the SE for certain. I could care less about the Action button and if it has one, it will become 'mute' button or disabled.