iPhone SE 4 to Complete Apple's Switch to OLED Across iPhone Lineup

[MacRumors]

Apple is expected to launch a fourth-generation iPhone SE early next year with an OLED display for the first time, marking the completion of Apple's adoption of OLED technology across all iPhone models.

According to Nikkei Asia, the move away from LCD displays will exclude two longstanding Japanese panel makers, Japan Display (JDI) and Sharp, from Apple's iPhone supply chain.

In 2017, Apple introduced OLED screens with the iPhone X. Since then, OLED displays have replaced LCD screens in Apple's high-end iPhone models. This shift has significantly impacted LCD suppliers. In 2015, JDI and Sharp provided about 200 million LCD panels yearly for iPhones.

However, by 2023, this number had decreased dramatically to around 20 million. Recently, Apple's gradual adoption of OLED has seen both Japanese LCD makers supply for just iPhone SE models.

JDI currently only supplies small OLED displays for devices such as the Apple Watch. JDI is now focusing on revamping its business strategy around LCDs for automotive applications, while Sharp is scaling back its LCD business, which was primarily for TVs.

Meanwhile, Apple has reportedly begun placing orders for OLED displays for the upcoming iPhone SE from China's BOE Technology Group and South Korea's LG Display.

The fourth-generation ‌iPhone SE‌ is rumored to feature an iPhone 14-like design, Face ID instead of Touch ID, a USB-C port, an Action button, an Apple-designed 5G modem, an A18 processor, and an all-screen look that does away with the Home Button. The device's display is expected to grow in size from 4.7 inches to 6.06 inches, and internal RAM is likely to be 8GB, up from 4GB in the 2022 model, due to the hardware requirements of Apple Intelligence.

Apple suppliers are expected to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. The device could be released ahead of the Lunar New Year in January 2025. However, all three existing iPhone SE models were announced in March over the years, so a March 2025 release seems possible too.

Article Link: iPhone SE 4 to Complete Apple's Switch to OLED Across iPhone Lineup

 

[JosephAW]

I suppose this is mainly for power consumption. It has no affect on heat and the dimming of the screen

 

[madmin]

Good, so give us OLED on the Mac lineup as well. The iPad Pro screens really are top notch :0

 

[phill85]

I had an iPhone X in 2017/2018. How time flies…

 

[platinumaqua]

I prefer LCDs for its longevity, but I guess the ship has sailed

 

[iDento]

Studio Display with OLED would complete my switch to OLED across my Apple ecosystem 🥲

 

[Godspeed8230]

I am still on my iPhone SE 2020 and it's still going strong. I had my battery replaced in December but other than that no problems. It was and is a great device, the best value for money.
Looking forward to an updated version. Next year I might upgrade then.

 

[iDento]

I prefer LCDs for its longevity, but I guess the ship has sailed

That‘s only relevant for TVs as they’re expected to last a decade or so. For iPhones, 5 to 7 years max, you don’t have to worry.

 

[Paddle1]

I guess anyone experiencing issues with PWM will have to get the display swapped out moving forward.

 

[Ctrlos]

There is no way Apple are going to make a USB-C iPhone 14 for £399, even if it does only have one camera. The iPhone 13 is still £599. The iPhone 14 itself will drop to this price next week as the 13 is discontinued. Assuming they're reaching for the same price point as the SE I'd expect an A16 max processor, 4GB of RAM and the regular mute switch.

 

[pappkristof]

There is no way Apple are going to make a USB-C iPhone 14 for £399, even if it does only have one camera. The iPhone 13 is still £599. The iPhone 14 itself will drop to this price next week as the 13 is discontinued. Assuming they're reaching for the same price point as the SE I'd expect an A16 max processor, 4GB of RAM and the regular mute switch.

It’ll have 8 GB for AI.

 

[minimo3]

Hopefully it will have a physical SIM card slot

 

[AppleTO]

It’s more the size of the display I’m not thrilled about. My wish is that it would be the same as the iPhone X/XS/11 Pro at 5.8”. Despite having the 14 Pro for nearly two years I still don’t really like the size.

 

[hugod90]

Won't apple have to stop selling the iPhone SE in the EU shortly then? I seem to remember they cannot sell lightning devices from Autumn of 2024. So they will perhaps go without an SE on sale for a few months. Or they might launch it sooner.

 

[Le0M]

Here goes another excuse to keep the price high....

 

[hugod90]

Here goes another excuse to keep the price high....

They are relying more on services income so it would seem like a bad move if they up the price on the SE this would equal less users for their paid services.

 

[one more]

Assuming they're reaching for the same price point as the SE I'd expect an A16 max processor, 4GB of RAM and the regular mute switch.

4GB of RAM is a no go for AI, and I guess Apple want AI on as many devices as possible. After all, this was their major pitch during the latest WWDC.

That means that SE2025 price will be courageously increased accordingly. 😋

 

[AppleIsEveryWhere]

'The fourth-generation ‌iPhone SE‌ is rumored to feature an iPhone 14-like design, Face ID instead of Touch ID, a USB-C port, an Action button, an Apple-designed 5G modem, an A18 processor, and an all-screen look that does away with the Home Button. The device's display is expected to grow in size from 4.7 inches to 6.06 inches, and internal RAM is likely to be 8GB, up from 4GB in the 2022 model, due to the hardware requirements of Apple Intelligence.'

Too good to be true and it will increase the price!

 

[kiranmk2]

Won't apple have to stop selling the iPhone SE in the EU shortly then? I seem to remember they cannot sell lightning devices from Autumn of 2024. So they will perhaps go without an SE on sale for a few months. Or they might launch it sooner.

I think the ruling only applies to new releases, so no problem with the current SE and iPhone 14.

 

[kiranmk2]

This really starts to ask the question: what is the point of the regular iPhone? Yes, it has an extra ultrawide camera and the dynamic island but will those be worth an extra £/$300 (assuming the new SE price increases to £/$499). This question only gets bigger for the previous generation iPhones (i.e. why would anyone buy an iPhone 14 next year when the SE is cheaper and offers access to Apple Intelligence)?

Perhaps this will signal a change in the iPhone lineup (e.g. the SE will start featuring the previous gen A-chip in the previous gen body and lead to a smaller lineup), but the way Tim Cook seems to like hitting as many price points as possible, I'm not sure about this.

 

[one more]

Won't apple have to stop selling the iPhone SE in the EU shortly then? I seem to remember they cannot sell lightning devices from Autumn of 2024. So they will perhaps go without an SE on sale for a few months. Or they might launch it sooner.

Yes, this is an interesting one. The EU law stipulates that all smartphones, tablets, and cameras sold in the EU must be equipped with a USB-C charging port by the end of 2024. Technically this means that they cannot sell any iPhone or iPad without a USB-C port in the EU from 1 Jan 2025.

As far as iPhones go, this seems to imply that Apple will indeed leave the EU customers with a choice between iPhone 15, 16 and, later on, this new SE. Not a big deal, IMO, as they can all fit in different price brackets, the new SE being the cheapest, but still more expensive than the current SE2022.

PS: Apple being Apple, of course, can also throw in a joke in a form of a 10€ Lighting > USB-C adapter. 😋

 

[Le0M]

4GB of RAM is a no go for AI, and I guess Apple want AI on as many devices as possible. After all, this was their major pitch during the latest WWDC.

That means that SE2025 will be courageously increased accordingly. 😋

Are you a potential iPhone SE buyer? If so, I'd understand your comment
But really, I doubt Apple will put the latest processor in the SE as well.

 

[one more]

This question only gets bigger for the previous generation iPhones (i.e. why would anyone buy an iPhone 14 next year when the SE is cheaper and offers access to Apple Intelligence)?

Well, if we mix both the USB-C requirement for any iPhone sold in the EU from early 2025 onwards and Apple Intelligence drive, this might mean that iPhone 14 goes bye-bye and we will only have iPhone 15, 16 and SE2025 going forward, SE catering for the current SE-iPhone 13-iPhone 14 price segment.

However, my guess is that the new SE will be closer to the current one of iPhone 13-14, rather than SE2022.

 

[one more]

I guess anyone experiencing issues with PWM will have to get the display swapped out moving forward.

Finding a suitable LCD screen will be getting more and more difficult as time goes by. I hope Apple figures out an acceptable PWM rate for sensitive people or at least offer it as an Accessibility option.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

But really, I doubt Apple will put the latest processor in the SE as well.

They did with the last SE release. The SE 2022 and the 13 series had the same A15 processor.