iPhone SE 4 to Have Notch Instead of Dynamic Island

[MacRumors]

The upcoming iPhone SE 4 will feature a notch instead of the Dynamic Island, respected display analyst Ross Young said today. The device will have a "notch like the iPhone 14," according to Young, which contradicts a recent leak that depicted a Dynamic Island.

Earlier this month, leaker Evan Blass shared images said to feature the iPhone SE 4's design, but those images featured an iPhone with a Dynamic Island rather than the notch that had been previously rumored for new low-cost iPhone. A sketchy leak from February 2024 also suggested that the iPhone SE 4 would get the Dynamic Island, but most other information has suggested that Apple will go with the notch design.

Multiple rumors have indicated that the iPhone SE 4 is modeled after the iPhone 14, and will therefore have an iPhone 14-style design. The iPhone 14 had a notch and not a Dynamic Island, so the notch makes more sense if Apple is using an iPhone 14 body for the iPhone SE 4. Alleged screen protectors for the iPhone SE 4 also appear to have a design for a notch rather than the Dynamic Island.

Image via Sonny Dickson​

With the launch of the iPhone SE 4, Apple will sunset Touch ID in the iPhone lineup, and all iPhones will have Face ID. The iPhone SE 4 is also expected to feature a 6.1-inch display, a single-lens rear camera, 8GB RAM, and an A17 Pro chip capable of supporting Apple Intelligence.

Current rumors suggest that the iPhone SE 4 will be introduced in the spring, likely in April.

Article Link: iPhone SE 4 to Have Notch Instead of Dynamic Island

 

[EugW]

Frankly I'd prefer the notch over the Dynamic Island. I'd prefer having neither though.

 

[BelgianChoklit]

The dynamic island is the most overrated thing about any iPhone, ever. Yes it looks cooler and more high tech than the notch, but it's not a feature.

I think what the iPhone SE absolutely needs is:

1) Better battery life
2) A chip that supports Apple Intelligence
3) MagSafe
4) USB-C

 

[BelgianChoklit]

Frankly I'd prefer the notch over the Dynamic Island. I'd prefer having neither though.

What about half of each? 💀

 

[brofkand]

The dynamic island is the most overrated thing about any iPhone, ever. Yes it looks cooler and more high tech than the notch, but it's not a feature.

I think what the iPhone SE absolutely needs is:

1) Better battery life
2) A chip that supports Apple Intelligence
3) MagSafe
4) USB-C

In what world is a larger notch that takes up more screen area cooler and more high tech?

 

[bLackjackj]

Its still a notch. Apple.internally calls it a notch.

"Dynamic Island" was just a marketing term that Apple came up with to sway users from complaining aboit the gaping black box that still annoys many today.

 

[coasterider]

Even more reason for this to be an updated mini.

 

[JitteryJimmy]

The upcoming iPhone SE 4 will feature a notch instead of the Dynamic Island

Nice. A notch is literally an improvement in screen real estate versus a hole. Apple was merely following a dummy hipster Android trend when they went from notches to “holes”. And yes, a notch could just as easily be “dynamic”.

Technical design by a marketing department is always idiotic.

 

[pdaholic]

There’s no reason why the software can’t mimic the Dynamic Island gimmicks with the notch. Marketing bs.

 

[thefrost]

Made more sense for it to have the notch imo.

 

[Daalseth]

Notch/Dynamic Island seems like a wash to me. Either way it’s a chunk of real estate out of the top of the screen, and I stop even seeing it after about five minutes. Frankly the SE is seriously tempting me away from the 16, or 17 if my iPhone lasts that long. It does everything I need and the price is great. In fact with the 48mpxl camera it would be a step up from the one I have now.

 

[Yr Blues]

Introducing Notchocheese, the cheesiest notch you'll ever see. We can't wait to see what you'll do with it.

 

[cdsapplefan]

It was hard for me to believe Apple would jeopardize there iPhone 16 lineup by putting Dynamic Island and Apple Intelligence on there budget iPhone SE lineup. They have to keep a wide gap apart feature wise and price wise.

 

[MegaBlue]

When did the rumors switch from an A18 to an A17 Pro, and why?

 

[Legend of Ive]

The SE is a useless product if it's going to have the same size as regular iPhone.
You're simply better off buying 2 year old model for better features around the same price.

 

[jz0309]

Shocker - the leaker was wrong…

 

[klasma]

Why not both?

 

[brofkand]

It was hard for me to believe Apple would jeopardize there iPhone 16 lineup by putting Dynamic Island and Apple Intelligence on there budget iPhone SE lineup. They have to keep a wide gap apart feature wise and price wise.

Is Apple's reality distortion field still that good that people consider the dynamic island a feature and not lazy engineering?

 

[klasma]

In what world is a larger notch that takes up more screen area cooler and more high tech?

“Looks”, not “is”.

 

[TapDatApp]

The dynamic island is the most overrated thing about any iPhone, ever. Yes it looks cooler and more high tech than the notch, but it's not a feature.

I think what the iPhone SE absolutely needs is:

1) Better battery life
2) A chip that supports Apple Intelligence
3) MagSafe
4) USB-C

I’m pretty sure most SE users couldn’t care less about Apple Intelligence and would happily take the Dynamic Island over it. It’s genuinely very useful to keep an eye on things for any sort of multitasking.

 

[klasma]

There’s no reason why the software can’t mimic the Dynamic Island gimmicks with the notch. Marketing bs.

I actually prefer the notch not doing fancy animations.

 

[EugW]

I actually prefer the notch not doing fancy animations.

That's one reason I prefer the notch over Dynamic Island. The other reason is that the notch is continuous with the bezel, whereas the Dynamic Island has a small sliver of pretty much useless active screen above it.

 

[klasma]

When did the rumors switch from an A18 to an A17 Pro, and why?

Yeah, it was still A18 less than a week ago: https://www.macrumors.com/2025/01/22/iphone-se-4-a18-chip-identifier-leak/

 

[maruyama]

If only they could have used the 13 body instead of the 14, the SE4 could have had a Mini version.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

It’s a Dynamic Notch!

In reality is no different than calling a mole a “beauty mark”.