When to Expect the iPhone SE 4 to Launch

[MacRumors]

Over two and a half years have passed since Apple released the current iPhone SE, so the device is due for an update. Below, we recap the latest rumors about the next-generation iPhone SE, including potential features and launch timing.

Timing

The latest word comes from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter last month, he said he expects the next iPhone SE to launch in the spring of 2025. All three existing iPhone SE models were announced in March over the years, so it seems likely that the fourth-generation model will also be introduced in March next year.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and the technology publication The Information also previously claimed that the next iPhone SE will launch in the first quarter of 2025, so that timeframe has been corroborated by multiple sources. The Information said that Apple suppliers would begin ramping up mass production of the device in October.

Features

The current iPhone SE starts at $429 in the U.S. with 64GB of storage and 4GB of RAM. The device's key features include a 4.7-inch LCD display, A15 Bionic chip, Touch ID, 5G support with a Qualcomm chip, a single 12-megapixel rear camera, and a Lightning port.

The next iPhone SE is rumored to have an iPhone 14-like design with the following features:

• 6.1-inch OLED display
• A18 chip
• Face ID
• USB-C port
• Action button
• Apple-designed 5G chip
• A single 48-megapixel rear camera
• 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence

Gurman believes the next iPhone SE will likely be priced in the $400 to $500 range, so the device would remain a lower-cost option in Apple's smartphone lineup, despite gaining a larger display and a more modern set of features.

Update — September 2024:

Japanese publication Nikkei Asia has since also reported that the iPhone SE 4 with an OLED display will be released in 2025.

Article Link: When to Expect the iPhone SE 4 to Launch

 

[John Connor]

If they are manufacturing them in October, why wait until March?
I know of people who want a new SE but their heads will be turned by something else if they are expected to wait that long.

 

[jdblas69]

Releasing too close to iPhone 16 launch will risk biting into the sales of the 16 series. Assume why a delay

 

[Skyscraperfan]

Wasn't the main idea of buying the iPhone SE avoiding the notch?

 

[Anonymous123]

No 120Hz display, no thanks.

 

[SactoGuy18]

My guess: production starts in January 2025 for March 2025 release. 8 GB RAM, possibly only available with 256 GB local storage.

 

[FineWoven]

That's actually a fairly decent set of features for $500 and in a design that's just a couple years old

 

[jz0309]

If they are manufacturing them in October, why wait until March?
I know of people who want a new SE but their heads will be turned by something else if they are expected to wait that long.

Chinese New Year is Jan 29 2025, it’s a major disruption in manufacturing…

 

[Mega ST]

I like the SE product line and use the current SE. Great 5G performance, small form factor, low profile plus my beloved home button.
I still might be tempted to move up for the camera on my next iPhone.

 

[sw1tcher]

The next iPhone SE is rumored to have an iPhone 14-like design with the following features:

- Apple-designed 5G chip

That's an automatic no buy for me. Not going to be Apple's guinea pig.

 

[hoodlum90]

Wasn't the main idea of buying the iPhone SE avoiding the notch?

Definitely not. People bought it because it was smaller/lighter and cheaper. It is no longer smaller/lighter and I suspected the price gap with iPhone 16 won't be as large as it has been in the past. It will be interesting to see how many get this phone SE over an iPhone 16 or older iPhone once the initial orders are filled.

 

[jz0309]

My guess: production starts in January 2025 for March 2025 release. 8 GB RAM, possibly only available with 256 GB local storage.

Chinese new year is at the end of Jan 2025, so no, production will not start in Jan but before then

 

[ghanwani]

I have a feeling there will be no more iPhone SE. They probably have all these plans floating around but when they do the math, it just won't add up and the plans will end up getting shelved. They'll just sell the 2 year old iPhone for a lower price.

 

[2low_tech]

Price is going to be the key for this phone. If Under $500, I would expect it to be one of the top selling phones in 2025.

 

[klasma]

If they are manufacturing them in October, why wait until March?

“the report speculates that the device could be released ahead of the Lunar New Year in January 2025.”

 

[Zaydax333]

RIP Mini users. My mom will be sad.

 

[Zaydax333]

Price is going to be the key for this phone. If Under $500, I would expect it to be one of the top selling phones in 2025.

Because you said that: $499 starting price, calling it now lol

 

[coffeemilktea]

USB-C, Face ID, and 8 GB of RAM?

Apple really is bringing the SE into the modern era. 🤯

 

[klasma]

I have a feeling there will be no more iPhone SE. They probably have all these plans floating around but when they do the math, it just won't add up and the plans will end up getting shelved. They'll just sell the 2 year old iPhone for a lower price.

They would lose market share to Android if they did. One data point from here: “According to Counterpoint Research’s Smartphone Model Share Tracker, Q4 2021, the 4G iPhone SE 2020 accounted for 12% of Apple’s total iPhone unit sales from its launch in Q2 2020 to Q4 2021 – with Japan and US the biggest markets for the device globally.”

With the SE4 being a more attractive form factor than the SE2/3 for many, I would expect more cash-strapped consumers to buy it that would otherwise buy an Android phone.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

The only issued phone my company offers is the SE, so low-key looking forward to this.

I'm in no hurry to upgrade my personal iPhone.

 

[Phone Junky]

Maybe once this is finally released, the Mini Clan will stop complaining for at least seventeen seconds. I'm not holding my breath though.

Why would they? With a 6.1“ display, it’s anything but ‘mini’.

 

[iMac The Knife]

I'll address everyone's question with this post...because it will be as close to 'Mini' as iPhones are going to get moving forward. If you couldn't pick up the sarcasm I was laying on fairly thick, it won't stop them from complaining anyway...that was the whole point. Nothing will. 😁

 

[whateverest]

Apple-designed 5G chip

Nice, SE2 users were already left with the crappy Intel modem, now its tuned 5G version is coming back to SE. Apple really likes SE users.

 

[klasma]

I'll address everyone's question with this post...because it will be as close to 'Mini' as iPhones are going to get moving forward. If you couldn't pick up the sarcasm I was laying on fairly thick, it won't stop them from complaining anyway...that was the whole point. Nothing will. 😁

A compact iPhone would.

 

[Biro]

Wasn't the main idea of buying the iPhone SE avoiding the notch?

Apparently not.