iPhone SE 4 Likely to Use Modified iPhone 14 Chassis

[MacRumors]

Following our last in-depth report on the iPhone SE 4, MacRumors has received additional information which further confirms the claims made in our previous article.

The iPhone SE 4, also known by the device identifier D59 and project codename Ghost, is a continuation of Apple’s budget-oriented line of iPhones, and is expected to replace the current third-generation iPhone SE.

With the arrival of the fourth-generation iPhone SE, Apple plans to finally retire the aging iPhone 8-style design used for the previous two generations of the iPhone SE. Instead, the iPhone SE 4 will feature a more modern look and increased display size, closely resembling the base model iPhone 14.

Newly obtained specifications indicate the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the existing iPhone 14 chassis, with the same flat design. The dimensions of the iPhone SE 4 in its current stage perfectly match those of the base model iPhone 14. Recent findings also confirm that the fourth-generation iPhone SE will not include a Touch ID home button, instead featuring an all-screen design derived from the iPhone 14, with Face ID serving as the means of biometric identification.

To better illustrate the size difference between the iPhone SE 4 and the current iPhone SE third-generation, we have included the dimensions for the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE 3, respectively.

iPhone 14 dimensions and weight:

• Length: 146.7 mm
• Width: 71.5 mm
• Thickness: 7.80 mm
• Weight: 172 g

iPhone SE 3 dimensions and weight:

• Length: 138.4 mm
• Width: 67.3 mm
• Thickness: 7.3 mm
• Weight: 144 g

The iPhone SE 4 is expected to be lighter than the iPhone 14 by about 6 grams, weighing 165 grams. The change in weight is likely a result of the single-camera design Apple has planned for the device. Unlike the iPhone 14, the iPhone SE 4 will feature a single 48-megapixel rear camera, developed under the codename "Portland", with a custom backplate for the device to account for the design change.

The decision to use a single-camera design lines up with all previous models of the iPhone SE, with the flash located in a similar position as well. It’s worth emphasizing that there is significant evidence that backs up the single-camera design, with Apple’s internal documentation highlighting it as a key change from the iPhone 14.

Apart from the single-camera design, no other significant factors could impact the weight of the iPhone SE 4. No changes in materials are expected, with the fourth-generation iPhone SE using the same 6013 T6 aluminum found in the iPhone 14, along with a glass backplate. Prototypes of the iPhone SE 4 have been seen in a black color closely resembling the Midnight color variant available for the iPhone 14, suggesting that black will be one of the color options Apple plans to offer with the fourth-generation iPhone SE.

Although the chassis dimensions of the iPhone SE 4 remain identical to that of the base model iPhone 14, the device will bring two significant features greatly differentiating it from previous iPhone models – a multi-purpose Action button and a USB-C port.

The Action button is a user-configurable button located above the volume buttons, first introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro, where it replaces the mute switch. Current information suggests that Apple intends to make the Action button a standard feature across the entire iPhone 16 range, with it eventually being available on the iPhone SE 4 as well. The current development status of the fourth-generation iPhone SE suggests a potential release date of 2025.

While Apple is experimenting with an all-new capacitive Capture button for the iPhone 16 range, there are no indications that this feature is being tested on the iPhone SE 4. The Capture button is expected to remain exclusive to the iPhone 16 lineup.

It is important to remember that the information presented here is pre-production information and may not reflect the hardware found on final mass production units, as changes are always possible during development.

For more details on what to expect, check out our guide for the iPhone SE 4.


Article Link: iPhone SE 4 Likely to Use Modified iPhone 14 Chassis

 

[Oldfash33]

Thats great for many, but what about the MINI fans out there???

 

[coffeemilktea]

I wondered if maybe it would use the now-abandoned 13 mini chassis, just because it seemed like it would be cheaper than re-engineering the iPhone 14 design to only have a single camera 🤔

 

[greenbreadmmm]

Why does apple think everyone wants iPads in their pocket ?

 

[Sunset Cassette]

Bad news for people who like a more compact phone. I find a surprising amount of seniors are all-in on small devices (despite their aging eyes begging for a larger screen). In daily use, I think most will find that the jump up is really not that substantial, but all will be disappointed nonetheless.

It's too bad the Mini lineup was decimated, and as suggested above, why they didn't choose to build the SE4 from the chassis of 12/13 mini. 4.7" is not a lot of real estate, but the 5.4" of the mini in an even smaller form factor (and a lower price!) would've been the perfect match for those of us seeking a sleek and small device.

 

[Keymaster]

It's really too bad that Apple isn't interested in making the Mini size anymore. They are following the market, which seems to want larger phones to watch videos and play games on, but it's hard to believe that there isn't enough market for a smaller size phone. This thread is already mostly about missing the Mini, that should be telling Apple something...maybe the foreign market finds the Mini so unpalatable that they don't sell there (it always seems like it's Americans complaining about the missing Mini).

I really do like the Mini after years of using an iPhone X, it's just much nicer. I don't watch videos on my phone though.

 

[Gengar]

Would’ve been a perfect time to reintroduce the mini form factor.

 

[jmonster]

Everyone, remember, almost none of the rumors in this site are accurate.

This further solidifies that it IS going to be a 14 Mini.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

"iPhone 14 Chassis" (which was based on the iPhone 13 chassis which was based on the iPhone 12 chassis)

 

[Fuzzball84]

Id really really hope they have a decent iphone the size of the mini in their lineup in the coming years. I plan to upgrade from my iphone mini around 2025/26 and as it stands.. there is just no iphone that can replace mini.

I have a feeling ill be looking elsewhere. To be honest it might be a good thing… ive been really tempted to try other manufacturers for a while now. Just for a change.

I remember using HP smartphones years and years ago… i was so excited and playing with them. I miss that excitement in my phones now.

 

[JPack]

Sounds like a great feature mix of what most people want. The 48MP sensor allows for optical 2X. Everyone is comfortable with the 6.1-inch form factor by now.

This should be a good workhorse phone. The only concern would be processor. In the past, SE used A-series based on n-1. Now that regular iPhones use n-1, will the SE4 use n-2? If this launches Spring 2025, it might carry A16.

 

[subjonas]

If true, Apple is getting rid of the only two reasons I got my SE—smaller size and Touch ID. I guess I no longer have any reason to not get a flagship iPhone next time. Hmm maybe this was deliberate haha. But then little did Apple know I would have paid flagship price for a smaller Touch ID SE, giving them more profit. 🫤

 

[TigerNike23]

Everyone here is mini mini mini, but the mini didn't sell well.

 

[BBCWatcher]

I think of the Samsung A54 (and future successors) as the best mid-market phone line right now, the one that prospective SE buyers would get if they left (or never join) iOS. The A54 is a fantastic phone, and you can get one for $400 on Amazon right now — $30 below the current SE.

I wonder if Apple should even try to compete head on with the A5x series, because I think that’s what an iPhone 14-based “budget Apple” phone would be. Would Apple be better off with an iPhone 13 mini-based “budget” phone, something the Android world doesn’t seem to want to build (everything seems to have 6+ inch screens nowadays) and that would overlap less with other iPhone models? If they go that way (iPhone 13 mini-based) I think they’d have to increase the thickness slightly to get a bigger battery inside. Then apply their various budget-related component changes, bump up the internals (processor), and they’ve got a new SE that actually has some differentiation in the market and from other iPhones. We’ll see, but I really do wonder if Apple wants the inevitable A5x comparisons that an iPhone 14-based model would invite.🤔

 

[Fuzzball84]

Why does apple think everyone wants iPads in their pocket ?

I think its the usual bigger is better trend. Remember when it used to be smaller the better 🤔

Just have to wait for the tide to turn again.. Give it a few years.

 

[Warped9]

Why does apple think everyone wants iPads in their pocket ?

Despite the vocal minority on sites like MR the sales figures show small phones don’t sell in sufficient numbers to make it worthwhile. You can cry all you want, but not enough people opt for a small mini size phone.

 

[klasma]

Everyone here is mini mini mini, but the mini didn't sell well.

At SE price, and without competing against the existing SEs as compact phones, it would likely sell quite well.

 

[greenbreadmmm]

Despite the vocal minority on sites like MR the sales figures show small phones don’t sell in sufficient numbers to make it worthwhile. You can cry all you want, but not enough people opt for a small mini size phone.

Not sure I was crying but I would add that the sales staff at apple stores were all very anti mini when I bought mine and again when my sibling bought theres a year later. I can't imagine it helps sales when the floor staff hates the product.

 

[thingstoponder]

What differentiates the 14 case from the 13 still in production?

 

[klasma]

Despite the vocal minority on sites like MR the sales figures show small phones don’t sell in sufficient numbers to make it worthwhile. You can cry all you want, but not enough people opt for a small mini size phone.

The mini sold more units than quite a number of Android models. Apple just doesn’t want to bother.

 

[1369281]

If you want an iPhone SE4 in 2 years, just buy iPhone 14 today. It’ll be the same thing.

Such a shame that Apple won’t offer anymore LCD iPhones without PWM.

 

[Fuzzball84]

Everyone here is mini mini mini, but the mini didn't sell well.

I think alot of people would like it, but then they get to the store etc and are more sold on the bigger iphone as you get “more” for your money. Which you do, but the mini had compactness as its selling point.

People associate more/bigger with better or better value.

If they released a 10 inch iphone, people would buy it. If they released a 24inch one, I'm sure loads would buy that too.

Iphone Maxi(mize) come to big daddy!

 

[SpotOnT]

LCD or OLED. That is pretty much all I care about.

 

[JPack]

This thread is already mostly about missing the Mini, that should be telling Apple something...maybe the foreign market finds the Mini so unpalatable that they don't sell there (it always seems like it's Americans complaining about the missing Mini).

This thread tells Apple that MR forum users are niche. U.S. buyers didn't want the mini. Global buyers didn't want the mini. Apple was right to delete it and replace it with the Plus.

The data shows nobody in the U.S. bought iPhone 12 mini when it was cheap at $599. Nobody bought iPhone 13 mini when it was $699 new in December 2021. The only time it sold a little bit was during the fire sales of summer of 2022.

iPhone 14 Plus sold an order of magnitude better than iPhone 13 mini.

 

[Warped9]

When people like something they can have a hard to understand/accept many others might not share their viewpoint. Mini phones don’t sell enough, and Apple has tried, so they’ll offer something their research says has broader appeal.

This is along the same lines pertaining to why Apple has dropped the 27in. iMac—Apple doesn’t thinks it’s worthwhile anymore.

Funny, but I have an iPhone 14 base model I picked up in August. It is a bit smaller physically than my previous iPhone 8+ but the 14’s screen is about 5% larger in area. So it fits easier in my pocket and I even gained a bit in screen size.