Here are five upgrades fans are expecting with the affordable iPhone SE 4, expected to launch early next year.
Now that the iPhone 16 series has reached millions of customers, many are already thinking about what’s next. However, it’s not the iPhone 17, and it’s not for another year…
The next iPhone, if it sticks to schedule, is the iPhone SE 4. It will be released next spring, meaning the public will have to wait about six months. It will be the first update to the iPhone SE in three years, and will likely be the biggest improvement to the iPhone SE since its launch.
1. Newer design, better screen
Apple has stuck with the iPhone 8 design since the iPhone SE 2 in 2020. That design still features a 4.7-inch LCD display, rounded edges, and a home button. However, the next iPhone SE will be different…
iPhone SE 4 concept photo.
Instead, the iPhone SE 4 will have a similar design to the iPhone 14 with a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, flat-edge design, Face ID, and a smaller "notch" cutout. However, it will only have a single rear camera instead of the iPhone 14's dual cameras.
Display analyst Ross Young says the iPhone SE 4 will have the same 6.1-inch OLED display as the iPhone 14, supplied by both BOE and LG Display.
2. USB-C port
Unlike the current iPhone 14 and iPhone SE 3, Apple is not expected to use a Lightning port on the iPhone SE 4.
iPhone SE 4 will have USB-C port.
This is largely due to EU regulations – which require all devices with charging ports to switch to one connection port: USB-C.
Apple switched to USB-C on the iPhone 15 series last year. If you're an iPhone SE 4 buyer, you'll be able to charge your phone with the same cable you use with your iPad and laptop.
3. Better camera
Apple's next iPhone SE will feature the same 48MP rear sensor as the iPhone 15, making it a "huge leap" from the iPhone SE 3's 12MP sensor from the iPhone 8.
The iPhone SE 4 will also have the same 12MP selfie camera as the iPhone 15, which is much better than the 7MP selfie camera of the iPhone SE 3.
4. Apple Intelligence
The next iPhone SE will reportedly feature Apple Intelligence, possibly with the A18 chip and 8GB of RAM, according to a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. This is a bit of a surprise, but it also shows that Apple wants to put Apple Intelligence in the hands of as many users as possible, even on its cheapest new iPhone .
The next iPhone SE will support Apple Intelligence.
Apple Intelligence introduces a ton of new features, like Writing Tools, Photo Cleanup, Genmoji, Notification Briefing, and a brand new Siri.
5. Apple's first modem
The iPhone SE 4 is expected to feature Apple's first in-house modem, which the company has been working on for years. Apple acquired Intel's old modem business in 2019 with the aim of developing its own modems and moving away from Qualcomm.
Also according to 9to5Mac, Apple will ship its first in-house 5G modem, codenamed Centauri, in the iPhone SE 4. This modem will also handle Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.
Qualcomm's 5G modem is one of the most expensive components in an iPhone, so it makes sense that Apple would try to manufacture it. This may be one of the main factors that makes the iPhone SE 4 have a low starting price despite being a modern iPhone.
iPhone SE 4 Price
The iPhone SE 4 is rumored to be more expensive than the iPhone SE 3, at $499. That’s still a pretty reasonable price, considering the fact that this is a very modern iPhone.
In addition, this price is still much lower than the iPhone 14 model and can even compete with the iPhone 15, especially attractive to those who do not have high photography needs.