The rumors around the iPhone SE 4 have kept users on their toes guessing at the specs, and as we get closer to the release date, more details are slowly being revealed. The iPhone SE’s release is extremely sporadic when compared to the yearly schedule otherwise followed by Apple, but every time one of these smartphones makes a debut, it brings a new untapped section of users into the fold considering the lower price point of these devices.
The iPhone SE 4 is expected to have a few new features that largely take after the iPhone 14’s design. This will put it a couple of generations behind the iPhone 16 series which is all the rage right now, but considering the Apple iPhone SE 4 leaks we’ve seen, it should still work well enough for those who don’t have high demands from their smartphones.
Image: iPhone SE 3
The iPhone SE 4 Rumors Suggest Some Interesting Hardware Changes
The first iPhone SE was launched in 2016 and we had to wait four years for the next generation to debut in 2020. The SE 3 later arrived in 2022 and rumors suggest the SE 4 will launch in the first quarter of 2025. Some reports have narrowed the release down even further to March 2025.
Mark Gurman, one of the leading insider experts on all things Apple, also chimed in on the iPhone SE 4 leaks, suggesting that the device could feature a homegrown 5G and Wi-Fi modem from Apple currently codenamed “Sinope.”
This will replace the Qualcomm modem traditionally found on these smartphones and could possibly end up being a little behind in capability, but still more tuned to the Apple ecosystem. A second generation of the chip could be expected in 2026, which will match up to market standards better and also appear in the company’s main smartphone series.
The iPhone typically features the same processor as the flagship phone for the year, so we should be in line for some Apple Intelligence capabilities as well, even if the entire gamut of AI features remains out of reach. It could also have an 8GB RAM to support AI.
Clicking Our Way Through to the iPhone SE 4 Camera Details
The iPhone SE 3’s 12MP camera and 7MP selfie camera were never impressive, but users had learned to expect an unsatisfactory setup for the price they paid. This time, the iPhone SE 4 camera leaks from ET News suggest that we might see a 48MP main camera and a 12MP selfie camera on the device.
The rumors suggest that the camera modules will be provided by LG Innotek, and could be on the same level as the iPhone 16, without any ultrawide lens support. The tipsters have not been able to provide any inputs on where the SE 4 will use a TrueDepth camera, but there is a distinct possibility that we’re moving away from Touch ID towards Face ID.
Getting Our Fill of the iPhone SE 4 OLED Display
The iPhone SE 4 rumors have also whispered that the upcoming smartphone will feature a 6.1-inch low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) OLED panel, similar to the one seen in the iPhone 13.
This brings the possibility of a display with 1170 x 2532 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. The lower refresh rate would put it at a disadvantage compared to many other mid-range phones currently on the market but it isn’t necessarily a deal breaker. The Apple iPhone SE 4 leaks indicate that the smartphone may permanently put an end to the home button, giving us the space needed for this 6.1-inch display.
We have also heard that the displays are being manufactured by LG Innotek as well as Chinese manufacturer BOE and mass production of the display is underway.
The iPhone SE 4 Comes with a Few New Features
The iPhone SE 4 is expected to make the switch to a USB-C charger just like the rest of the ecosystem of devices. What’s more interesting is that just like we’ve seen with the rest of the iPhone series, the SE 4 could feature an action button.
This might be a sufficient reason for those with older iPhones to switch to the newer device as it features a lot of the key benefits of purchasing the iPhone 16 without the financial strain of making the change. All of these features are expected to result in a device priced around $499-$549 USD, putting it comfortably below the $799 iPhone 16.
While many Apple enthusiasts have their eyes on the iPhone 17 and its rumored ultra-thin form factor, we’re more excited to see what the iPhone SE 4 rumors amount to next year.
