Apple’s latest flagship, the iPhone 16, is here, and next in line is the more affordable iPhone, the iPhone SE. The first generation iPhone SE was launched in 2016, followed by the second in 2020 and the third in 2022. However, in 2023, there was no news of the next SE model, and now, as we near the end of 2024, there’s still no sign of the fourth-generation iPhone SE. But if reports are to be believed, Apple won’t make its users wait much longer, as the next iPhone SE is expected to launch in early 2025.
According to reports, the new generation SE will bring significant upgrades, including a larger screen, improved hardware, faster software, and support for Apple Intelligence. Some speculation suggests that the iPhone SE 4 could follow the blueprint of the iPhone 14, offering many of its features at a more affordable price. If this turns out to be true, the iPhone SE will be a great option for users who want to experience a capable iPhone without the premium cost associated with flagship models.
But what exactly will the fourth-generation iPhone SE offer? Let’s take a look at what industry rumours are pointing to:
6.1-inch OLED display
The iPhone SE 4 is expected to move away from the outdated design of previous SE models and adopt a design more in line with the flagship models. The iPhone SE will feature a 6.1-inch OLED display, an upgrade from the current SE’s 4.7-inch LCD. The OLED will provide better contrast and deeper blacks, bringing the SE closer to Apple’s modern devices. Additionally, the larger screen size is expected to match the dimensions of the iPhone 14.
The design will likely have minimal bezels, aligning it with the iPhone 14’s aesthetic. However, it’s not expected to include newer features like the Dynamic Island, which remains exclusive to the flagship iPhone 16 models. Instead, the iPhone SE 4 will probably retain a notch similar to the iPhone 14.
Up to 48-Megapixel Camera
The iPhone SE 4 is also rumoured to receive a major camera upgrade, with reports suggesting a 48-megapixel main rear camera, a significant jump from the 12-megapixel camera found in previous SE models.
There are also suggestions that Apple might include some of its computational photography features to enhance image quality. These software optimizations, combined with the higher resolution sensor, could make the SE 4’s camera suitable for most day-to-day photography tasks.
Powered by the A18 Chip and More RAM
Like previous iPhone SE models, the SE 4 is expected to feature Apple’s latest processor—in this case, the A18 chip, which powers the iPhone 16 series. This will ensure that, despite being a lower-cost device, the iPhone SE 4 will still deliver fast performance, handling demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking with ease.
Support for Apple Intelligence
The A18 chip will also enable the iPhone SE 4 to support Apple Intelligence, Apple’s latest suite of AI features. These are expected to include improved text rewriting, better image editing, and a more responsive version of Siri. These features require significant processing power, and the SE 4 is rumoured to come with 8GB of RAM—double that of the 2022 SE model—to handle these tasks. However, there may be limitations to the AI capabilities, as the premium iPhone 16 models are likely to focus more on advanced AI functionality.
Moving from Touch ID to Face ID
The iPhone SE 4 is also expected to shift from Touch ID to Face ID, bringing the SE series in line with the rest of Apple’s iPhone lineup, which has already embraced facial recognition.
USB-C and the Action Button
In compliance with EU regulations, Apple is expected to switch the iPhone SE 4 to USB-C charging, following the transition made in the iPhone 15 series. This change will make charging and data transfer more convenient, especially for users who already own other USB-C devices.
The SE 4 might also introduce the Action Button, currently exclusive to Apple’s Pro models. This programmable button will allow users to customise shortcuts for specific actions, such as launching the camera or switching to silent mode.
Larger battery
The iPhone SE 4 is also rumoured to adopt the iPhone 14’s battery, which would provide significant improvements in battery life compared to previous SE models. The increased capacity will help power the OLED display and A18 chip, ensuring the SE can last through a full day of use.
