From the start, the SE series has served as Apple's budget friendly option to the iOS ecosystem, with all of its core features. It’s been nearly three years since the last iteration, and now, Apple is expected to refresh the line up in 2025 with an iPhone SE 4. Even though Apple has not officially unveiled the phone, there are leaks and rumors that reveal a lot. In this article, we will discuss designs, specifications, release dates, and prices of the upcoming iPhone SE 4.
iPhone SE 4 or iPhone 16e?
Although most leaks call the device the iPhone SE 4, some reports indicate that Apple may drop the branding in favor of iPhone 16e. If true, this would make it the fifth variant in the iPhone 16 family together with iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, there is no confirmation yet, and Apple could very well decide to continue with traditional SE branding.
iPhone SE 4 Release Date
At first, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg said that the iPhone SE 4 will be announced in early February for 2025. Now, his update says that it will come later in the month through press release than in a special launch event. According to past trendings by Apple, announcements would fall on Tuesday. Further, based on past trends in the release of other SE models, the sale of this model is expected toward the end of the month.
iPhone SE 4 Price in India and Global Markets
Leakage suggests that the iPhone SE 4 will be priced at $499 (approximately Rs 44,000 in India). That is higher than the iPhone SE 3, which was priced at $429 and later priced higher in India after the introduction of higher taxation to Rs 49,900. The price hike could be because of the hardware upgrade, like a new design and a more powerful chipset.
iPhone SE 4 Specifications
Processor
The A18 processor, which you would find on the new iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, is rumored to be used in the iPhone SE 4. This hexacore processor features two high-performance cores running at 4.05 GHz and four efficiency cores running at 2.42 GHz, manufactured with a 3nm TSMC process. It is a big leap over the A15 Bionic in the iPhone SE 3, enabling improved efficiency and performance.
Display
The new SE model could have a 6.06-inch LTPS OLED display with a Super Retina XDR resolution of 2,532 x 1,170 pixels and a pixel density of 460 PPI. This would be a giant leap from the SE 3's 4.7-inch LCD display. Rumors are that the SE 4 will have a conventional 60Hz refresh rate, which could be old-fashioned in 2025. With all this its display will have a peak brightness of 800 nits, which will be perfect for outdoor use.
Cameras
The iPhone SE 4 will come with a massive camera technology upgrade, making it a much more powerful photography aid. The most notable of these is the rear camera, which will have a robust 48MP primary sensor—a significant improvement over the 12MP sensor of its predecessor, the iPhone SE 3. This higher resolution should translate to sharper, more detailed photos, enabling users to take stunning photos with crisper outputs. The front camera is also being upgraded, from a 7MP to a 12MP sensor. This translates to crisper selfies, improved video calls, and improved performance in a range of lighting conditions. With these improvements, the iPhone SE 4 will be able to provide improved low-light photography, more vivid colors, and improved computational photography features, making it an excellent option for those who enjoy taking high-quality photos without having to spend a fortune.
Memory and Storage
At least 8GB of RAM is rumored to be coming with the iPhone SE 4. This is mainly aimed at running Apple Intelligence and future iOS updates. The SE 3 came with only 4GB, hence increasing the possibilities for multitasking and some powered features driven by artificial intelligence.
On storage, Apple will offer the same options as before in possible configurations: 64, 128, and 256 gigabytes. It has been argued, though, that for the base model, coming with 64GB, it would probably feel limiting by 2025.
Battery and Charging
One of the biggest complained-about features of the iPhone SE 3 was battery life, but Apple seems to be addressing this in a major way. The iPhone SE 4 will have a 3,279mAh battery, a significant increase over the 2,018mAh battery of the SE 3. This will mean longer usage times, allowing users to get on with their phone without having to constantly fumble for a charger.
And on the topic of charging, Apple is bringing faster charging to the SE line. The iPhone SE 4 will have 20W wired fast charging, meaning users can charge their battery in a quick amount of time. Additionally, wireless charging is getting an upgrade too, with the SE 4 having support for Qi2 and MagSafe wireless charging, a massive step up from the 7.5W Qi charging of the SE 3. With the increased battery and the power-sipping A18 chip, users can expect to see massive gains in battery life.
Additional Features
Apple is also adding premium features on the iPhone SE 4, which will be smarter and more resilient. The phone will have IP68 dust and water resistance, a step up from the IP67 rating on the SE 3. This equates to improved water damage protection, making it a more durable choice for everyday use.
In terms of software, the iPhone SE 4 will run iOS 18 and have Apple Intelligence, which introduces new AI-based features for a smarter and more responsive experience. Another new addition is the Action Button, replacing the classic mute switch. The button, as on the iPhone 15 Pro models, will likely have customizability, with users having the ability to assign different actions like opening the camera, invoking shortcuts, or enabling silent mode.
iPhone SE 4 Design
Apple is finally abandoning the older iPhone 8 look and offering the iPhone SE 4 a brand new design. Leaked rumors suggest the phone's front will feature a notch design, similar to the iPhone 14, or perhaps the Dynamic Island, to hold Face ID hardware.
The sides of the phone will be flat, similar to new iPhones, but with the slightly curved edges for added comfort and handling. The back of the iPhone SE 4 will feature a single camera, set at the top left with an accompanying LED flash.
Colors-wise, leaked dummy units show black and white units, but Apple might provide more colors at launch. The SE 4 thickness appears to be similar to the launch iPhone 16, as leaked dummy comparisons state, which makes it a compact but premium-looking device.
The impressive upgrade to the iPhone SE 4 places it as a very desirable mid-range contender. A larger battery and quick charging with a new age design and artificial intelligence-assisted features together with an Action Button make this model a far more enticing option than its predecessor. Consider this model if you have long desired to upgrade from an earlier model of the iPhone SE.
The iPhone SE 4 appears to be a huge upgrade from the last one. New design, OLED display, improved cameras, faster chip, and improved battery life could make it the best budget iPhone ever. But its cost will be an issue because the jump to $499 makes it compete with older flagship devices.
These are rumoured and leaked, as ever. We'll be updating with official details as and when Apple launches the iPhone SE 4.
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