iPhone SE 4 Rumored to Launch Early Next Year With OLED Display, 48MP Camera, and More

[Bodhitree]

For me that’s a tempting phone… if it has the battery life of a 16, the soc of a 16, I don’t see much reason to buy a non-SE iPhone as my 13 Pro has kinda proved I don’t use the advanced camera features enough to justify the extra cost.

I’d usually stick with my 13 Pro until about 2026-2027, but in order to catch the SE upgrade cycle which seems to be heading for a phone every 2-4 years, I’d upgrade a little earlier.

 

[0423MAC]

I'm sorry iPhone Mini fans. I don't mean to flame you but you're not getting a new Mini anytime soon. I feel your pain. For me, the iPhone Plus is perfect but it's going away after next year. But you are not getting a new Mini anytime soon. So please stop whining and hijacking every thread and turning into All About Mini. Perhaps others should start flagging your posts.

Considering the iPhone SE line has always been smaller devices perhaps this isn’t the thread to try and tell people what they should be posting.

 

[Biro]

Considering the iPhone SE have always been smaller devices perhaps this isn’t the thread to try and tell people what they should be posting.

You're still not getting a new Mini.

 

[UliBaer]

You're still not getting a new Mini.

Well, it doesn't have to be labeled Apple - at least for me.

 

[klasma]

which is exactly why it won't happen

I believe it will happen, and enough people will irrationally still buy the regular iPhone.

 

[Bodhitree]

Sadly the SE seems to be rated to roughly a third less battery than the standard iPhone, if you look at 2022’s SE 3rd Gen compared to the iPhone 14 (models with the same SoC). That’s a big deal since it means charging every night and running out when the battery gets worn. But back then the SE was a smaller and lighter phone, be interesting to see how that turns out with the new one.

 

[klasma]

So a third option with the same sized screen?

No, the other options are getting larger.

 

[GuruZac]

Single lens, iPhone 12/13 Mini chassis iPhone SE 4 with A18, and a Sub $500 price with 128GB base storage would be sick.

 

[ZZ9pluralZalpha]

if this rumor is to be believed, the “parts bin” model will use almost every expensive part of the current non-Pro iPhone except one of the two camera modules, yet shed about a third of the price. Does that make sense?

 

[macduke]

6GB to 8GB of LPDDR5 memory

Well, if it's 6GB, I don't think it will have Apple Intelligence. That's probably going to be the primary distinguishing factor between the SE and the main iPhone lineup for the next few years, if I had to guess.

 

[dwaite]

I think it’s a mistake not keeping the $429 price. I would honestly prefer that they use the iPhone 13 mini as the base for the new SE if it means they can keep the price the same as the older models.

Asking for a cheaper phone _and_ them to base it on the iPhone Mini is asking for two things, not a compromise 😉

 

[dwaite]

Table from the original post:

View attachment 2399021

This table is somewhat crazy.

For the first six months of its life, this SE4 wouldn't be competing against the iPhone 17, but the iPhone 16. The only thing listed as compromises really are:

1. Current generation OLED vs LTPO
2. Notch vs pill for sensors
3. Potentially less memory (because they want to sell it as not having Apple Intelligence support?)
4. Single 48MP camera on back.
5. Apple's first gen modem (but they'll still be shipping Qualcomm for the 17?)

To the consumer market who won't see any internal memory difference or really care about a quarter inch of screen or care about modem brands, it is basically "I can go with a single camera and save $300".

...I just don't see it. It might make sense if they held off on this and released it alongside or after the 17, or released it as a higher price and dropped it next September with the 17 launch. Releasing it next spring at this price is just going to tank the tail end of iPhone 16 sales.

 

[tahoetomas]

The fourth-generation iPhone SE will offer a series of major upgrades over the current model, the leaker known as "Ice Universe" claims.

The information was listed in a post on Weibo, which also detailed the specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup. As previously rumored, the fourth-generation iPhone SE is expected to feature Face ID and USB-C, marking a major upgrade from current and previous models that have all featured a Touch ID Home button and a Lightning port.

The device's display will apparently grow in size from 4.7 inches to 6.06 inches and feature an OLED panel for the first time. The new iPhone SE is also expected to tout an A18 chip like the iPhone 16 lineup, 6GB to 8GB of LPDDR5 memory, an aluminum chassis, and a single rear 48-megapixel camera. The fourth-generation iPhone SE will apparently launch between March and May of 2025 with a price point of $499 to $549. The current model launched in March 2022 for $429.

Article Link: iPhone SE 4 Rumored to Launch Early Next Year With OLED Display, 48MP Camera, and More

Phone tech is not my thing. I have a question & hoping someone can help. Years ago my 80-yr old mother became a widow and became very isolated. She expressed interest in a "smartphone" to stay better connected with family & friends. I read many articles online saying iPhone was more secure than Android, so i got her an iPhone 8, which is now "legacy" and soonish won't get security updates. My issue is she is very old and cannot learn new things. There is NO WAY she'll be able to adjust to not having the home button. (She can barely use the iPhone as is.) Does this new rumor mean the new SE will no longer have the home button? I know and accept that many of you have a hard time accepting that inability to function without the home button is actually a thing. She's 88 years old, and you will get there someday, and you'll hope others have compassion for your limited ability to deal with changing technology. My questions are: 1) what are the chances a new SE (or any new iPhone) may have a home button; and 2) how long will apple sell the current SE with home button... (I'm thinking of picking up the current SE now before it disappears, which could keep her able to communicate for another five years or so. The whole issue of aging is a blind spot in the tech world, such as (just one example) no way to increase the size of the (tiny) battery percentage at top right (very difficult for old folks to read). Our culture is so centered on youth as if old people don't matter or deserve any attention in tech decision-making. Any help with questions above would be much appreciated.

 

[klasma]

This table is somewhat crazy.

For the first six months of its life, this SE4 wouldn't be competing against the iPhone 17, but the iPhone 16. The only thing listed as compromises really are:

1. Current generation OLED vs LTPO
2. Notch vs pill for sensors
3. Potentially less memory (because they want to sell it as not having Apple Intelligence support?)
4. Single 48MP camera on back.
5. Apple's first gen modem (but they'll still be shipping Qualcomm for the 17?)

To the consumer market who won't see any internal memory difference or really care about a quarter inch of screen or care about modem brands, it is basically "I can go with a single camera and save $300".

...I just don't see it. It might make sense if they held off on this and released it alongside or after the 17, or released it as a higher price and dropped it next September with the 17 launch. Releasing it next spring at this price is just going to tank the tail end of iPhone 16 sales.

The 2016 SE was similarly attractive compared to the 6S released six months before.

 

[dwaite]

The 2016 SE was similarly attractive compared to the 6S released six months before.

And that was based on the 5S, not the 6S, and released 6 months after the 6S.

 

[klasma]

And that was based on the 5S, not the 6S, and released 6 months after the 6S.

The internals were based on the 6S, which is what I was referring to. Yes, the iPhone 16 will have basically the same screen size, but also Dynamic Island, Action Button, thinner bezels, and whatnot.

 

[dwaite]

My questions are: 1) what are the chances a new SE (or any new iPhone) may have a home button

Zero

2) how long will apple sell the current SE with home button... (I'm thinking of picking up the current SE now before it disappears, which could keep her able to communicate for another five years or so.

Probably cleared out when this SE launches.

Note that you won't be guaranteed five years of support; you may only have three (e.g. five years of support from launch).

The whole issue of aging is a blind spot in the tech world, such as (just one example) no way to increase the size of the (tiny) battery percentage at top right (very difficult for old folks to read). Our culture is so centered on youth as if old people don't matter or deserve any attention in tech decision-making. Any help with questions above would be much appreciated.

This falls under accessibility. Accessibility is a significant investment by Apple, and there should be features already present to help here (larger text, zoom)

 

[sos47]

in the mac line there is a „mini“
in the ipad line there is a „mini“
why not in the iphone line?
i bet the iPhone 12mini has more sales than the iPad mini and mac mini together.

 

[turbineseaplane]

in the mac line there is a „mini“
in the ipad line there is a „mini“
why not in the iphone line?
i bet the iPhone 12mini has more sales than the iPad mini and mac mini together.

Anyone who owns and uses an Apple "Mini" anything is always on cancellation alert

Apple seems to love to neglect and cancel Mini things

 

[gk_brown]

I believe it will happen, and enough people will irrationally still buy the regular iPhone.

or the "Pro"!

 

[Bacasable]

Might be larger renders, but I pulled this up

View attachment 2399084

Thank you very much

 

[sublunar]

So a $70 uplift could get you an iPhone with 6gb ram and incapable of Apple Intelligence?

Suggests that the SE4 might start with a 64gb storage tier. A prime candidate for not having Apple intelligence?

And 128gb would be bare minimum requirement (which 15 pro and 16 would automatically meet)

That’s how we’d get a $549 price?

As others have mentioned - there’s precious little in the way of key features missing from the increasingly hyped SE4 that would be missed from the 16. The price while higher that a current SE, is slightly less than a 14 would be in September.

And the 15 would feel like a poor value in September too unless Apple are restricting apple Intelligence to devices with at least 128gb storage.

Will there also be a 256gb tier for $649? Limiting the SE4 to 128gb would also be another way to drive people up market.

 

[Sippincider]

There is NO WAY she'll be able to adjust to not having the home button. (She can barely use the iPhone as is.) Does this new rumor mean the new SE will no longer have the home button?

Very similar situation here.

IF the SE4 gets the Action button, it'd be very attractive to program that to function as the home button. (And, frankly, the only thing I'd use the Action button for.)

Guess will have to wait and see what the actual release brings.

 

[Saturn007]

Long live the original iPhone SE!

We have two of them, with one being my regular cell phone. Great feel, fits well in the hand and the pocket even with a folio or flip case on it, and the home button is wonderful. A treat to use.

We also have two SE 3s. Hard to hold, especially with a case, the haptic home button is still bizarre feeling and uncomfortable, and it's a far more awkward size than the original SE.

This rumored BIG FOOT SE 4 sounds ginormous and hardly a small-phone user's cup of tea!

Of course, we do our browsing on iPads, our “real work” on MacBook Airs, and take photos with “real” cameras! That is, digital travel zooms that let us capture birds and other wildlife which the iPhones still cannot.

We use the SEs as pocket phones, Apple Watch companions, star gazing companions, calendar and to-do list keeping, and nighttime ebook reading.

We don't need a big phone — and I’ll wager there are millions like us who much prefer small phones and have other devices for other uses!

 

[Saturn007]

My issue is she is very old and cannot learn new things. There is NO WAY she'll be able to adjust to not having the home button.

I’m much younger, but have the same reaction to much new tech and software — e.g., the ridiculous changes in the Watch OS 10, which overhauled a superb, intuitive interface.

She's 88 years old, and you will get there someday, and you'll hope others have compassion for your limited ability to deal with changing technology.

Your point is well taken and I've watched people struggle with complicated interfaces — even the iPhone itself and most apps have hidden, secret controls. They are also inconsistent from one app to another, even Apple's own.

The whole issue of aging is a blind spot in the tech world, such as (just one example) no way to increase the size of the (tiny) battery percentage at top right (very difficult for old folks to read).

I agree 100% with you!

As to your query… the iPhone SE original (2016) with its real home button could be a good pick. We use ours for cell service and many other purposes — and it should handle her needs well. OTOH, the phone is small.

The iPhone SE 3 from 2022 could an alternative to the SE, although its home button as I noted above is strange. It's not a real button and the haptic feedback and how it forces you to grip the phone just so are a nuisance. It would also be too small given what she,s used to.

Maybe an iPad 9 or iPad Mini with real home button and cell service could work for her. The screen would be bigger than a phone, text would be easier to read, and the interface elements easier to see and tap. This is also one case where the unfounded knock on the iPad — “It's just a big iPhone” — is a big PLUS as most everything works similarly, so she'd already know the interface!

Or, try a combination. Use the iPhone SE for cell calling and the iPad with WiFi for everything else. Of course, I can remember setting up my father with multiple devices (DVR, VCR, and TV ) to watch and record mystery shows — and that was a huge adjustment — too many remotes, too much juggling, getting lost in the interface, and problem with the Input control changing devices. Your Mom might likely feel the same way having 2 devices.

Hope that helps!