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iPhone SE 4 Rumored to Use Same Rear Chassis as iPhone 16

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Apple will adopt the same rear chassis manufacturing process for the iPhone SE 4 that it is using for the upcoming standard iPhone 16, claims a new rumor coming out of China.

iPhone-SE-4-Vertical-Camera-Feature.jpg

According to the Weibo-based leaker "Fixed Focus Digital," the backplate manufacturing process for the iPhone SE 4 is "exactly the same" as the standard model in Apple's upcoming iPhone 16 lineup, which is expected to be released in September. The iPhone SE 4, meanwhile, is expected to arrive in the spring.

The latest claim casts doubt on a previous rumor suggesting Apple would use a modified iPhone 14 chassis as the basis for a fourth-generation iPhone SE. In November 2023, MacRumors learned from a source close to Apple's manufacturing process that the dimensions of the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 "perfectly matched" those of the base model ‌iPhone 14 in its current stage‌.

While it's still unclear what may have led to the change, it's possible that Apple chose to adopt its newer rear chassis process for the more affordable SE model to achieve economy of scale at the point of production as the manufacture of iPhone 14 models winds down towards retirement.

However, it could also indicate a change to the camera system on the fourth-generation iPhone SE. Unlike the ‌iPhone 14‌, the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 was previously rumored to include a single 48-megapixel rear camera with a custom backplate for the device to account for the design change.

In contrast, for the iPhone 16 models, Apple is planning a new vertical camera lens arrangement that is a departure from the diagonal lens setup found on iPhone 15 models. The new orientation will presumably allow the standard iPhone 16 models to capture Spatial Video for the Vision Pro headset. Adopting the same backplate for the iPhone SE 4 would seem to suggest it will feature the same dual camera setup, although we haven't heard any rumors specifically claiming that this is in Apple's plans.

Apple is said to be targeting a sub-$500 starting price for its fourth-generation iPhone SE model, despite a raft of rumored upgrades coming to the more affordable device. Touch ID and the Home button will be replaced by Face ID and a display notch, while the display size will increase from 4.7 inches to 6.1 inches. Other features expected for the next iPhone SE include a USB-C port and an Action button.

The third-generation iPhone SE was released in March 2022, so there is likely pent-up demand for a new model that includes some of the latest features of Apple's flagship iPhone models. For everything else we know about the iPhone SE 4, be sure to check our dedicated roundup.

Article Link: iPhone SE 4 Rumored to Use Same Rear Chassis as iPhone 16
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/07/19/iphone-se-4-likely-to-use-iphone-16-chassis/
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So there may be a viable choice for those seeking a less-expensive iPhone come next spring: the SE 4 or the base iPhone 15 (which will no doubt be discounted by $100 after the 16s are introduced this fall). It’ll be interesting to see if the new SE will include 5G mmWave coverage like the normal base iPhones.
 
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MacRumors said:


Apple will adopt the same rear chassis manufacturing process for the iPhone SE 4 that it is using for the upcoming standard iPhone 16, claims a new rumor coming out of China.

iPhone-SE-4-Vertical-Camera-Feature.jpg

According to the Weibo-based leaker "Fixed Focus Digital," the backplate manufacturing process for the iPhone SE 4 is "exactly the same" as the standard model in Apple's upcoming iPhone 16 lineup, which is expected to be released in September. The iPhone SE 4, meanwhile, is expected to arrive in the spring.

The latest claim casts doubt on a previous rumor suggesting Apple would use a modified iPhone 14 chassis as the basis for a fourth-generation iPhone SE. In November 2023, MacRumors learned from a source close to Apple's manufacturing process that the dimensions of the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 "perfectly matched" those of the base model ‌iPhone 14 in its current stage‌.

While it's still unclear what may have led to the change, it's possible that Apple chose to adopt its newer rear chassis process for the more affordable SE model to achieve economy of scale at the point of production as the manufacture of iPhone 14 models winds down towards retirement.

However, it could also indicate a change to the camera system on the fourth-generation iPhone SE. Unlike the ‌iPhone 14‌, the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 was previously rumored to include a single 48-megapixel rear camera with a custom backplate for the device to account for the design change.

In contrast, for the iPhone 16 models, Apple is planning a new vertical camera lens arrangement that is a departure from the diagonal lens setup found on iPhone 15 models. The new orientation will presumably allow the standard iPhone 16 models to capture Spatial Video for the Vision Pro headset. Adopting the same backplate for the iPhone SE 4 would seem to suggest it will feature the same dual camera setup, although we haven't heard any rumors specifically claiming that this is in Apple's plans.

Apple is said to be targeting a sub-$500 starting price for its fourth-generation iPhone SE model, despite a raft of rumored upgrades coming to the more affordable device. Touch ID and the Home button will be replaced by Face ID and a display notch, while the display size will increase from 4.7 inches to 6.1 inches. Other features expected for the next iPhone SE include a USB-C port and an Action button.

The third-generation iPhone SE was released in March 2022, so there is likely pent-up demand for a new model that includes some of the latest features of Apple's flagship iPhone models. For everything else we know about the iPhone SE 4, be sure to check our dedicated roundup.

Article Link: iPhone SE 4 Rumored to Use Same Rear Chassis as iPhone 16
Click to expand...
I would actually like this better than the up coming 16.
It has a notch.
The functional display sets BELOW the notch.
And there is not disgustingly garish eyesore waste of space no need for its existence DYNAMIC ISLAND.

It’s insane Apple is sticking with this thing. It’s the very reason I won’t upgrade from my 14PM.
If the 16 and 16PM have the Dynamic Island I will be downgrading to the SE. But based on rumors and design leaks moving from the 14PM to the new SE will purely be a lateral move.
 
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This is interesting… at firs my mind was like naaah, Apple needs to differentiate them more. But in terms of scale economy, it makes sense. Especially if you think about it carefully: the size difference between the iPhone 15/16, compared to the iPhone 14, is minimal, bar noticeable. Why not going wi the same body? But, uhm… maybe this rumor is for an hypothetical iPhone SE 5. I think Apple wants to give the iPhone 13/14 body another life.

A cool approach would be making the SE 4 like the iPhone 16 but with an LCD display and a notch. I would most definitely buy one. Especially if they retain the second camera and use the same A18 SoC with, hopefully, 8GB of RAM.

Biro said:
So there may be a viable choice for those seeking a less-expensive iPhone come next spring: the SE 4 or the base iPhone 15 (which will no doubt be discounted by $100 after the 16s are introduced this fall). It’ll be interesting to see if the new SE will include 5G mmWave coverage like the normal base iPhones.
Click to expand...
I doubt it. And if I’m being honest, I ve never cared about the mmWave 5G tech. I don’t need such speed (I think regular 5G speed is more than enough for 95% of the population), and it can drain your battery faster. Also you have to be really close to the emisor.
 
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I think the iPhone SE 4 will essentially be an iPhone 14 with a single rear camera sensor, old-style Face ID and Apple's new radio modem chip with 3GPP NR 5G and WiFi 7 support.
 
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The third-generation iPhone SE was released in March 2022, so there is likely pent-up demand for a new model that includes some of the latest features of Apple's flagship iPhone models.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't call it pent up demand (for this rumoured design) when the only similarities are price point and name. Big, cheap phone will sell well, but anyone looking for a refresh of their small phone will have zero options from Apple.
 
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Since it looks like they’ve killed off the last of the LCD screen iPhones, there’s ZERO reason to buy this thing. Might as well buy a used recent model iPhone instead.
The new SE no longer serves any purpose. Used iPhones are better and cheaper.
 
Populus said:
This is interesting… at firs my mind was like naaah, Apple needs to differentiate them more. But in terms of scale economy, it makes sense. Especially if you think about it carefully: the size difference between the iPhone 15/16, compared to the iPhone 14, is minimal, bar noticeable. Why not going wi the same body? But, uhm… maybe this rumor is for an hypothetical iPhone SE 5. I think Apple wants to give the iPhone 13/14 body another life.

A cool approach would be making the SE 4 like the iPhone 16 but with an LCD display and a notch. I would most definitely buy one. Especially if they retain the second camera and use the same A18 SoC with, hopefully, 8GB of RAM.


I doubt it. And if I’m being honest, I ve never cared about the mmWave 5G tech. I don’t need such speed (I think regular 5G speed is more than enough for 95% of the population), and it can drain your battery faster. Also you have to be really close to the emisor.
Click to expand...
OOOh man, you read my mind. They can use a screen from iPhone 8plus, its better resolution compare to current SE.
 
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