Expected for 2025, the iPhone SE 4 is gradually making headlines, while remaining very discreet. Release date, design, price… we take stock of the next inexpensive iPhone, which should be released after the iPhone 16.
If we know that every year, we are entitled to new MacBooks and especially new iPhones, the renewal of the iPhone SE is much more sporadic. The latest: the third generation iPhone SE, released in March 2022 at 529 euros. Two years later, what’s the news on a potential fourth-generation iPhone SE? Overview of what it could look like. However, this information should be taken with a pinch of salt.
First of all, the iPhone SE 4 would be known by the identifier D59 and the code name Ghost internally at Apple.
When would the iPhone SE 4 be released?
It should be noted that the pace of release of the first three iPhone SEs was not regular:
March and April seem to be the traditional launch times for the iPhone SE and for good reason: it’s about six months after the announcement of the main series iPhones. For Apple, this is enough to control the industrial and media agenda, so as not to launch everything at once so as not to interfere with its different models.
Regarding the rumors, the latest ones to date indicate a release in 2025, three years after the last SE model. We can imagine that the announcement keynote will take place next March or April, just to wait for the release of the iPhone 16. Indeed, given the few current leaks on the iPhone SE 4, it is difficult to imagine now a release this year. Furthermore, these leaks still exist and are becoming clearer, which makes us cold about the idea of a release in 2026 or later.
What could the fourth generation iPhone SE look like?
It’s about the design that we probably have the least certainty, especially since nothing has been confirmed or denied by Apple. iPhone SEs almost always have the design of an older iPhone, dated two or three years ago.
Which chassis?
We could expect that the next one will take the iconic design of the iPhone XR, with the notch. But while the current design, existing since the iPhone 12 with flat edges, is starting to date (already three generations, soon 4), Apple is moving up a gear. For MacRumors, the iPhone SE 4 would take the design of the iPhone 14. On the program: edge-to-edge screen, Face ID and more Touch ID button. Which would result in a smartphone with a larger screen, and a larger size in the hand.
Last February, the leaker Majin Bu, however, argued that the iPhone SE 4 could take the design of the iPhone 16, even though it is not even marketed yet. But whose design has already leaked: and it would not change much compared to the iPhone 15. Difficult to believe this leak however, since the leaker has not always been reliable. Especially since this would undoubtedly increase manufacturing costs too much.
In terms of dimensions, the fourth generation iPhone SE could have the same dimensions as the iPhone XR. That is to say a height of 150 mm, a width of 75.7 mm and a thickness of 8.3 mm. Dynamic Island or not Dynamic Island? Apple could be looking to permanently say goodbye to the notch and move to the pill-shaped punch on all its models, including the cheapest. But this seems hard to believe: Dynamic Island only arrived on the iPhone 14 Pro initially, then on all iPhone 15s in 2023. To maintain a range effect and the advantages of more expensive iPhones, we imagine Apple instead keeping and making it profitable a little more of the notch design with the first generation of Face ID.
No more Lightning port
A design change that Apple will not be able to miss: the port. No more Lightning, since from 2025, the manufacturer will have to switch to USB-C if it wishes to market its SE 4 in Europe.
It is the legislation that requires it and it is a restriction that Apple anticipated with the iPhone 15. Moreover, the iPhone SE is one of the last Apple products which has still not moved to the USB-C.
Towards an Action button?
Finally, according to MacRumors, the iPhone SE 4 would be equipped with the Action button, which today is only found on the Pro models of the iPhone 15. A rather strange novelty, but which suggests that this SE model will be more high-end than the others . Which also suggests that to maintain consistency between its ranges, Apple will bring it to the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. This would also cause the Ring/Silent switch to end.
What screen for this next Apple smartphone? cheap » ?
If the iPhone SE 4 took the chassis of the iPhone XR, or at least its dimensions, its panel would have a diagonal of 6.1 inches. When the current SE has an LCD screen, its successor would be equipped with an Oled screen. A nice development to be expected therefore, since this would create a gap compared to the existing SE model. The latter offers a screen of only 4.7 inches, which seems anachronistic for a model still sold in 2024 (compared to the rest of the market).
And in terms of performance?
A quick word on storage: difficult in 2025 to imagine a model that remains at 64 GB, especially at more than 500 euros. We can think that Apple will take a step forward and offer at least 128 GB of storage, with why not another version (a little more expensive) with 256 GB of storage.
Finally, on the chip, the SE of 2022 is equipped with the A15 Bionic, which is found on the iPhone 13. If we follow this logic, the SE of 2025 could offer the SoC of the iPhone of the year d ‘before, therefore that of the basic iPhone 15. This would then be the A16 Bionic.
Towards better autonomy?
As reported 01net last December, Apple could take back the iPhone battery. The next SE would then offer a capacity of 3279 mAh, useful to meet new requirements. Larger screen, better processor: we can nevertheless hope for better autonomy.
Just one camera on the back? It’s possible
What if the next iPhone SE also lacked an ultra-wide-angle photo sensor? For MacRumors, this would be likely, since Apple seeks to reduce manufacturing costs as much as possible. There would only be one main photo sensor on the back, in addition to the selfie sensor. This would, however, require adapting the chassis of the iPhone 14/15, if Apple chooses from one of these. Indeed, the models in these series have always had two sensors on the back. A change that Apple would not have to make, however, if it ever used the chassis of the iPhone XR, since it only had one sensor on the back.
It would be a 48 Mpx sensor, which would in fact be that of the iPhone 15. This would represent a big step forward compared to the small 12 Mpx sensor on the SE model. current “. The front sensor should remain quite similar, namely a 12 Mpx sensor.
What price for the iPhone SE 4?
It is currently impossible to determine a selling price for this potential future model. However, we can already imagine certain things. Already, it should not be sold from 529 euros, but would probably be more expensive. Since the release of the third iPhone SE in 2022, prices for all manufacturers have increased. Same thing at Apple, between the iPhone 13 in 2021 and the iPhone 15 in 2023.
Especially since Apple plans, if rumors are to be believed, to move its next SE model upmarket. Which means that the iPhone SE 4 could rise to 600 euros. Nothing is certain, however, at the moment.
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