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iPhone SE 4 Rumors: Price, Features, Release Date and More
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If rumors about it getting the A18 chip and 8GB of RAM are correct, it should be able to.
Here’s where I see a little problem if it were added to the 2025 lineup in September 2025.
Apple typically will have 1 Pro line (17), and three non-pro levels then the SE last. If they do this in 2025, the 17, 16, and SE would be AI capable, but the $599 15 would not be.
In that case, they could push it to 2026 but that seems like a large gap between generations
Or you're lucky enough to live in Europe, where your government is protecting you from it.
I think the expectation is that the fourth generation iPhone SE will launch around March 2025 (all of the other iPhone SE models launched March or April).
AI is not the only reason someone would pick a 16 or 17 model over a "lesser" SE. If the new iPhone SE does launch in March 2025, the iPhone 14 will likely be discontinued at that time with the iPhone 15 discontinuation to follow later in the year.
The gap between the original iPhone SE (2016) and second generation SE (2020) was four years. If the next iPhone SE doesn't launch until 2026, there would be a similar four year gap between it and the third generation SE (2022).
Rumors have been that it will have 8GB RAM (to be able to run Apple Intelligence) and I imagine that the storage options will match that of the iPhone 14 which are 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. Certainly no guarantees at this point, though.
Maybe they wait another year and it will come in early 2016. Would be strange if it's a 16 in a 14 casing (is it even different?) and there is also still the 15 and 14.
Both doesn't support Apple Intelligence and will be slower but more expensive
And if a 2025 phone doesn't support AI it would be also strange.
It makes only sense if it's made out of cheap materials and doesn't get features that the 14 has, if they keep using the latest Ax and RAM size for it.
They should just keep it as it is and just put 8GB and the latest A-Chip in it for the release next year.
Both doesn't support Apple Intelligence and will be slower but more expensive
And if a 2025 phone doesn't support AI it would be also strange.
It makes only sense if it's made out of cheap materials and doesn't get features that the 14 has, if they keep using the latest Ax and RAM size for it.
They should just keep it as it is and just put 8GB and the latest A-Chip in it for the release next year.
screw this if true. We need a mini-size phone. Regular iPhone 14 is too large for comfortable single hand use and too large for some pockets. Since the larger ones don't offer this, I will not buy them!
If they don't offer a small phone I'm gonna purchase another iPhone 13mini or two as backups to last me as long as software support lasts.
I really don't understand why there apparently is no market for a small phone and I don't have small but rather average size hands.
If they don't offer a small phone I'm gonna purchase another iPhone 13mini or two as backups to last me as long as software support lasts.
I really don't understand why there apparently is no market for a small phone and I don't have small but rather average size hands.
I just makes no sense when they still sell the 14 and 15 for a higher price with expected better features for the new SE.
They should just keep the form factor and I might buy it and if there is a Plus version I'll buy it twice. But I the chance this is happening is near zero.
Otherwise I need two or three SE3 as backup phones. But not now. I wonder if the prices will increase or decrease after the new one had been released.
On the site for refurbs where I buy my iPhones the prices for 6s, SE1, 7, 8, SE2, SE3 and the Plus versions didn't change after the new 16 releases, since I purchased two 8 Plus, one SE2 and one SE3 in April.
Seems many people still like the form factor and want to keep it as long as possible, like me. Sadly the 8 Plus only supports iOS 16 and even a 6s Plus or 7 Plus might be enough for me, but there is not really a difference in price, also the iOS versions are extremely outdated, but I got used to the smaller ones now because I used an SE1 for a few years, when I needed a phone very rarely.
Not sure if I should wait for the new one and hope for a price drop or buy them now and let them lie unused around for several months.
The SE2 is much cheaper and would do the same job for me, but I have some reasons to need the latest iOS version for a few more years.
I think I'll wait, because Apple is still selling the SE3 as new, what might keep the price up. Although they sell it already for half the price, but the SE2 is just almost quarter now and that could also happen to the SE3.
Now I am using only the SE2 because I don't recognize any difference. Buying an SE3 and don't use it until the SE4 might be released was not a really clever idea.
Is there a fixed time frame how long iPhones that Apple still sells as new at least get major iOS updates after they are replaced by a newer one?
They should just keep the form factor and I might buy it and if there is a Plus version I'll buy it twice. But I the chance this is happening is near zero.
Otherwise I need two or three SE3 as backup phones. But not now. I wonder if the prices will increase or decrease after the new one had been released.
On the site for refurbs where I buy my iPhones the prices for 6s, SE1, 7, 8, SE2, SE3 and the Plus versions didn't change after the new 16 releases, since I purchased two 8 Plus, one SE2 and one SE3 in April.
Seems many people still like the form factor and want to keep it as long as possible, like me. Sadly the 8 Plus only supports iOS 16 and even a 6s Plus or 7 Plus might be enough for me, but there is not really a difference in price, also the iOS versions are extremely outdated, but I got used to the smaller ones now because I used an SE1 for a few years, when I needed a phone very rarely.
Not sure if I should wait for the new one and hope for a price drop or buy them now and let them lie unused around for several months.
The SE2 is much cheaper and would do the same job for me, but I have some reasons to need the latest iOS version for a few more years.
I think I'll wait, because Apple is still selling the SE3 as new, what might keep the price up. Although they sell it already for half the price, but the SE2 is just almost quarter now and that could also happen to the SE3.
Now I am using only the SE2 because I don't recognize any difference. Buying an SE3 and don't use it until the SE4 might be released was not a really clever idea.
Is there a fixed time frame how long iPhones that Apple still sells as new at least get major iOS updates after they are replaced by a newer one?
I'm not sure about the iPhone 15 but it's doubtful that the 14 will remain in the lineup after the new SE launches. 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. When the third generation SE launched in March 2022, the iPhone 8 on which it was largely based had already been discontinued.
Apple usually offers iOS updates for around six years after a phone's original launch e.g., a phone launched in 2020 will likely get updates until 2026.
Held off on the 16 this year, still rocking a 14 pro which i upgraded to from a 12 mini. 14pro is a made of lead and rocks. I really need another mini iphone. And heres news that the new iphone SE (the prime candidate) is going to be a chonky bugger after all? Here's hoping that the iphone 17 brings thinner/lighter or foldable(unlikely) or the iphone market is looking really bad. Why are they all so huge? Anyone remeber the OG iphone, a phone you could actually hold in your hand without the need to 'balance' it I wish they would make form factor of iphone 3G, but full size screen.
They are "huge" because that's what the market seems to want. According to Counterpoint Research, the top ten bestselling smartphones globally in 2023 all had screens 6.1" to 6.7" in size.
Apple tried to market a small iPhone (not quite as small as the 3G) in the 12 and 13 mini but they didn't sell well enough. However, you can find minis in the used/refurbished market and they should continue to receive updates for another 2-3 years or so.
Good. Who needs a $2,000 phone anyway. In Canada Bell and Rogers expect you to pay $30-$40 per month for the phone, with a downpayment and a "device return option", in addition to $60-$70+ per month for the phone plan. It's pure theft at this point.
Cause it's the latest tech, and it's cheap.
I would have bought a 16, but with only 12MP on the Telephoto Camera, I'm not shelling out $1,200 or more.
This will hold me till the 17 comes out, and then I'll trade it in for whatever pittance they're offering.
Screwing Micro Four Thirds lens on this thing would be ridiculous. It would be the most poorly balanced thing to ever take a photo, but if they did build such a monstrosity, I might buy one just to put my 400-800 Olympus Zoom onto, but it would be a lens carrying a phone, not the other way around.
Canon, Nikon and Sony have nothing to worry about.
While using my Lumix 100-400 telephoto lens, the lens is carrying the Panasonic, so what? I’m uncertain about your actual experience in this area.
The fact is, Apple has made incredible advancements in iPhone photography and videography over the past decade, outpacing traditional brands like Canon, Nikon, and Sony’s innovation rate. Despite their small optics, Apple’s powerful image and AI processors achieve remarkable results, while these traditional brands lag behind in processor innovation due to low sales volumes.
If a robust mount like Micro Four Thirds were integrated into a photo iPhone (which, of course, contains state-of-the-art pro image sensors like the Canon camera blocks and a tripod mount), you would have everything you need. Although this idea seems unconventional, it could be a groundbreaking change - and possibly lead to the rapid demise of Canon, Nikon and Sony.
For these companies, every software update is a laborious undertaking, and business is stagnating for their image processors.
But like you, I'm sad that my old cameras are being overtaken by zeitgeist and technology.
The fact is, Apple has made incredible advancements in iPhone photography and videography over the past decade, outpacing traditional brands like Canon, Nikon, and Sony’s innovation rate. Despite their small optics, Apple’s powerful image and AI processors achieve remarkable results, while these traditional brands lag behind in processor innovation due to low sales volumes.
If a robust mount like Micro Four Thirds were integrated into a photo iPhone (which, of course, contains state-of-the-art pro image sensors like the Canon camera blocks and a tripod mount), you would have everything you need. Although this idea seems unconventional, it could be a groundbreaking change - and possibly lead to the rapid demise of Canon, Nikon and Sony.
For these companies, every software update is a laborious undertaking, and business is stagnating for their image processors.
But like you, I'm sad that my old cameras are being overtaken by zeitgeist and technology.
"innovation" in what? making images that look like over-processed slop?
My experience is forty years in commercial photography, using everything from 8x10s to Micro 4/3 cameras, and just about every format in between. I still maintain Canon, Nikon and Olympus Systems.
I think the ergonomics of dragging around even a modest sized micro 4/3 lens on an iPhone are sub optimal.
While Apple and other Cellphone makers have made remarkable progress is software fixes, a dedicated tool is better than an inherently compromised one. Apple's philosophy is basically "We'll fix it in post".
Also, bear in mind that the flange distance is 19.25mm on Micro 4/3, and you'd need a fairly robust bayonet mount to attach the whole mess.
And, you'd have to take into consideration you're adapting an image from a 225 Sq MM sensor to a 15.5 Sq MM sensor.
Considering that Apple Touts a 120mm equivalent lens as a 5X telephoto, which would only be the case if you consider a 24mm lens a standard lens (which it is not), you'll have to pardon me for not acquiescing to Apple's photography expertise.
Remember when Apple dabbled in digital cameras? Yeah, it feels like ancient history now. Back then, they left that arena to the big camera brands, who were swimming in R&D budgets. Apple just couldn’t reshape that market.
But fast forward to today, imagine a sleek little box—150 x 70 x 25 mm, with a 4/3 mount—that could rival even the priciest cameras out there. Sounds wild, right? Yet, considering Apple’s knack for squeezing incredible results out of tiny lenses, it’s not so far-fetched. Their user-friendly design, lightning-fast image processing, and impressive video compression already enable cinema-quality results on an iPhone. Yes, cinema-quality—something that not too long ago required a hefty Panavision or Arri or F55 or Canon C300 setup!
The tech landscape is changing faster than ever. Apple’s innovation pace is a reminder to the Canons and Nikons of the world that no one gets to sit still—just ask Nokia post-2007.
«The iPhone SE 4 will use the same 3279 mAh battery as the iPhone 14, so it should have similar battery life to that device.»
With a much more efficient A18 and modem, with an OLED display that is more efficient, and more space inside (one camera less), it is not clear why it should have the same battery life as a model from three years ago.
With a much more efficient A18 and modem, with an OLED display that is more efficient, and more space inside (one camera less), it is not clear why it should have the same battery life as a model from three years ago.
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Much of the advancement in smartphone photographic capability comes from carefully optimizing all the components as an integrated system. In particular, their lenses are highly optimized to work with their sensors.
Thus I have to wonder if you'd a good result using lenses optimized for Micro 4/3 sensors with the significantly smaller sensors found in iPhones.
It seems that would be analogous to using a full-frame lens on a Micro 4/3 camera. Please correct me if I'm wrong but, from a quick look online, the general consensus appears to be that you get a better result if you instead keep with the lenses developed for that sensor size.
Plus I thought the main advantage of smartphones for photography is that if you always carry your smartphone, you always have a camera: "The best camera is the one you have with you." By contrast, if you want to do photography with a smartphone + Micro 4/3 lens, that requires a deliberate decision to bring along photographic equipment (the Micro 4/3 lens). And if you're going to do that, why not just bring a Micro 4/3 camera, which will certainly, with its larger sensor, give you a better result than you'd get with an iPhone + Micro 4/3 lens, as well as a form factor that makes it much easier to take pictures (vs. a smartphone with a Micro 4/3 lens)?
I understand you are intrigued by the processing power of Apple's iPhone chip, and its potential application to photography. While I'm not sure how much it would help a normal camera (since I think it's mostly there to enable a highly size-constrained system to take good pictures), if you did want to showcase the potential of this technology, I think you'd need to add an iPhone chip (and highly develped processing algorithms) to a Micro 4/3 camera, rather than add a Micro 4/3 lens to an iPhone.
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You are of course absolutely right in your comments.
I photographed the starry sky with the latest iPhone Pro just a few days ago, and I have to say that just a few years ago I would have ruled out the possibility of the small sensor surface being able to process very little light extremely perfectly.
As I am also a lover of 4/3 devices (a hugely innovative compromise step forward when introduced, in my opinion) I simply wonder whether the sensor area of a 4/3 chip could be integrated into an iPhone. Then you could add the optics in a modular way, i.e. an adapter would allow the attachment of a conventional 4/3 lens (which are available in fascinatingly different focal lengths). If you don't want that, you can then use Apple's slide-on plate with Apple's standard lens.
By the way: Apple is applying for various patents, e.g. for active aperture systems for the iPhone camera. So of course they are also thinking a lot beyond the current status. And I just wanted to bring that into the discussion.