iPhone SE 4 Launching as Soon as Next Week

[ksec]

I still think Apple is going to have a hard time justifying the $300 difference between the SE 4 and iPhone 16. An extra camera (most people aren't using), camera control button (not going to say much more here but... mehh). Outside of this? Internals are going to be the exact same. I just don't see it.

Comparing the rumored SE 4 vs iPhone 16
- Essentially same frame
- same CPU
- same RAM
- same base 128GB storage
- same Apple Intelligence
- same screen and paltry 60hz refresh
- more than likely very similar battery life
- Notch vs Dynamic Island
- Apple Modem vs Qualcomm (too early to tell)
- camera button (not really the needle mover for most people)
- extra camera (i'd be willing to bet most people aren't using - and if you are, you bought the Pro/Max)


This basically says Dynamic Island, Camera Button, and extra camera most people don't use is worth $300 more?? Am I missing something?

This is definitely Apple Modem so you should add Qualcomm to the bottom of your list. I cant remember if SE 2 or SE 3 has less memory. But this iPhone SE is definitely one of the best price / performance iPhone in recent history.

My guess is that this is intentionally done to provide valuable real world data for Apple to tune their Modem.

 

[djc6]

I am not making an excuse for the issue, it was bad when it was happening . I purchased the iPhone XS 4 and half years ago through my carrier. Currently using an iPhone 14. I do swap them monthly and the call quality issue is no longer there. It may have been fixed 2 years ago, as, I don’t journal these things 😂.

Since timespan of years is involved, its possible new tower(s) went up in your area or new frequencies in use helping with issues - not Apple fixing some software but in Intel modems.

 

[BigDO]

If this is 499 I don’t see how it’s not going to cannibalise iphone 16 (and 17 if it doesn’t have 120Hz)

 

[miq]

fellow aussie here, the 14 pricing makes no sense to be honest. It's not a lot different from the 13 and yet 13's have been clearing out at places like OW & JB for 799 or less.

I don't believe they can up the price of the SE substantially as it's positioned to take on the low end of the market.

I’m tipping AU$999 for the 128GB version and $1149 for 256GB. Doubtful there’ll be a 512

 

[Saturn007]

I can’t wait 🙈

I can! 😂

Still rocking iPhone SE 2016. Fast, comfortable to hold, fits in a pants pocket, in the hand, good screen, good calls — it does all I want.

Perfect size, unlike the recent gigantic SLAB phones. (People look ridiculous holding those up to their ears!

📱 👂 👨

😂)

It also has a real home button and earbud jack. Fantastic.

Those haptic faux home buttons simply don't work as well. I know — I also own a iPhone 2022, purchased new for a song, so we could get an Apple Watch 9 for a family member. It sits unused, save for backing up the Watch.

The iPhone 2016 is simply that good!

 

[Kargo]

It would need to have a good battery, I'll probably wait for the user tests and reviews to start trickling before I consider it. I made the mistake of buying a SE 2 and regretted my purchase almost immediately when I realised I couldn't get more than 4 hours from it.

 

[miq]

I can! 😂

Still rocking iPhone SE 2016. Fast, comfortable to hold, fits in a pants pocket, in the hand, good screen, good calls — it does all I want.

Perfect size, unlike the recent gigantic SLAB phones. (People look ridiculous holding those up to their ears!

📱 👂 👨

😂)

It also has a real home button and earbud jack. Fantastic.

Those haptic faux home buttons simply don't work as well. I know — I also own a iPhone 2022, purchased new for a song, so we could get an Apple Watch 9 for a family member. It sits unused, save for backing up the Watch.

The iPhone 2016 is simply that good!

Agreed! If battery lasted longer I’d still be using mine too

 

[turbineseaplane]

Agreed! If battery lasted longer I’d still be using mine too

I use one every night by my bedside for podcasts and still love it more than any other iPhone since

It's all about the physical size of it

Kills me they've never made something that general size ever again

 

[webkit]

The last paragraph is why I personally think we won't see the same pricing structure this time around. If the SE4 is priced at $499 with the rumored specs it will cannibalize the 14, 15, and even 16 to a much greater extent than the SE2 and SE3 ever did to their peers. There's the old saying that the only constant is change, and I believe that will prove itself true once again.

If past SE launches are any guide, the iPhone 14 will likely be discontinued once the new SE 4 comes out. When the original iPhone SE launched in March 2016, the iPhone 5S on which it was largely based was discontinued. When the second generation iPhone SE launched in April 2020, the iPhone 8 on which it was largely based was discontinued.

A selling point of the 15, assuming it remains in the lineup, and 16 over the SE 4 will be the camera setups. However, I think the reality is that SE models have always cannibalized sales of "current" iPhones to some degree.

 

[5167767]

Since timespan of years is involved, its possible new tower(s) went up in your area or new frequencies in use helping with issues - not Apple fixing some software but in Intel modems.

I don’t think it was that. I had multiple phones around the same time (iOS and android. Only phone with call quality issues was the XS and it magically disappeared after a software update.

 

[Azzurro]

Will probably cost 600 in Europe. 🤡

 

[ab2c4]

From my understanding the main thing this new SE won't have is Night Mode. Anything else?

 

[Dc2006ster]

My wife has a 6S and I have an SE2. I was thinking to get a 16 and give my wife the SE but will now probably get this SE4 because it seems to have all I need in a good size. In this situation, size is more important than what you can do with it.

 

[Anaxarxes]

499 USD US / 549 EUR EU price range
starts at 128GB; 256 and 512 as options
A18 chip 8GB RAM
single lens, 48MP camera, f1.4
12mp center stage selfie camera
apple wifi/5G modem
usb-c
OLED with notch

it's going to be a winner for company issued cell phones

 

[turbineseaplane]

For people like us, size is more important than what you can do with it.

Same


(saddened with only my 13 Mini as a modern option)

 

[victorvictoria]

Sick of rising prices, but you have to take increased costs into account when adding new tech. I couldn't care less about Apple AI, or some A** chip for faster phone calls, or face recognition on my phone, but I'm aware that others want some or all of that. But it's an SE model, and the target market is people who use Apple devices, like me, who just want to make phone calls on my phone, and snap a casual photo or two. We'll use our laptops, iMacs and iPads for more creative or data entry tasks that require lots of typing.

While I'd like to see a price point of $399 like the first SE, I realize that's not happening, and I'd never buy an Android phone to save $30-40 and give up the seamless integration I now enjoy with the Apple TV, HomeKit, Macs, iPads, Apple Watch and iPhone, and the whole iCloud zeitgeist.

 

[webkit]

Will probably cost 600 in Europe. 🤡

With VAT, yes. If the pre-sales tax price in the U.S. is $499, that's around €481 at the current exchange rate but when you add VAT it can jump to close to €600. The main reason iPhone prices are high in Europe is because of the very high VAT.

For example, the pre-VAT price for a 128GB iPhone 16 in Italy is around €796. €796 at the current exchange rate is around $826 USD. That's actually slightly less than the $829 USD pre-sales price for the same phone in the U.S.

 

[Azzurro]

With VAT, yes. If the pre-sales tax price in the U.S. is $499, that's around €481 at the current exchange rate but when you add VAT it can jump to close to €600. The main reason iPhone prices are high in Europe is because of the very high VAT.

For example, the pre-VAT price for a 128GB iPhone 16 in Italy is around €796. €796 at the current exchange rate is around $826 USD. That's actually slightly less than the $829 USD pre-sales price for the same phone in the U.S.

If that’s the case then people can just get the 13/14 series. I will never get the purpose of another 6.1 display and a single camera in 2025. 🤷🏽‍♂️

If only they would revive the mini series…

 

[turbineseaplane]

If that’s the case then people can just get the 13/14 series. I will never get the purpose of another 6.1 display and a single camera in 2025. 🤷🏽‍♂️

If only they would revive the mini series…

The only reason I can think of is for Apple themselves to be using more current chips
(not having to keep older production lines going)

From a consumer standpoint, it sure seems like a preowned 13/14 (or even a new one at a great price) is a way smarter use of money

 

[kp98077]

wonder if folks looking for the 16 will go for this?

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Sales of iPhones 13, 14 and 15 are about to plummet if this SE 4 indeed delivers the USB-C iPhone 14 with 8/128 + Face ID at <$499!

I do wonder what its weakest spec will be..

 

[turbineseaplane]

Sales of iPhones 13, 14 and 15 are about to plummet if this SE 4 indeed delivers the USB-C iPhone 14 with 8/128 + Face ID at <$499!

I do wonder what its weakest spec will be..

To be honest, Apple should be nuking the sales of the old ones anyhow!

One aspect I miss from Steve's time was how the "new one" would come out (of whatever product) and the old ones were mostly "poof" .. "gone" ...

Variety of reasons, but a core part of it was that he was a product guy and wanted their best efforts out their being sold and in the hands of customers ... once there was something new/better, the old stuff was done

 

[webkit]

If that’s the case then people can just get the 13/14 series.

Yes, of course. Apple customers have various iPhone choices. They can get a current model, SE model, previous generation model, used/refurbished model, etc. Choosing one over another can depend on a customer's wants/needs and budget.

 

[webkit]

wonder if folks looking for the 16 will go for this?

Some will, just as some looking at the 6S back in 2016 went for the original generation SE. There are various iPhone options out there for Apple customers including current models, SE models, previous generation models, new or used/refurbished models, etc.

 

[webkit]

Sales of iPhones 13, 14 and 15 are about to plummet if this SE 4 indeed delivers the USB-C iPhone 14 with 8/128 + Face ID at <$499!

If past SE launches are any guide, the iPhone 14 will likely be discontinued once the new SE 4 comes out. When the original iPhone SE launched in March 2016, the iPhone 5S on which it was largely based was discontinued. When the second generation iPhone SE launched in April 2020, the iPhone 8 on which it was largely based was discontinued.