The AI-Powered ‘iPhone SE 4’ Is on Track for Early 2025
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Reports that the next generation of Apple’s wallet-friendly iPhone SE is coming early next year have been swirling for a while, and now we’re getting some additional details and confirmation thanks to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
As we reported early last month, the so-called “iPhone SE 4” is expected to be a more mainstream model that will drive the final nail into the coffin of the legacy bezel-and-home button design that’s been hanging around since the 2017 iPhone 8.
That’s not necessarily surprising, as Apple has typically gone with a 2.5-year-old design for the iPhone SE. The first 2016 model followed the style of the 2013 iPhone 5s, while the 2020 second-generation iPhone SE was a dead ringer for the 2017 iPhone 8. While the 2022 iPhone SE broke that pattern, it arguably wasn’t a full update but rather a mid-cycle release seemingly intended to bring all of Apple’s current iPhone models into the 5G era.
It’s well past time for that now-seven-year-old iPhone design to be put to bed, and we’re confident Apple agrees. A year ago, reports began appearing that the next iPhone SE would resemble the 2022 iPhone 14, which sounds about right, as an early 2025 release would mark a return to the 2.5-year cycle of the first two iPhone SE generations.
However, despite the throwback design, every iPhone SE has received the most current A-series chip available at the time of its release, putting each one on par with Apple’s flagship iPhones for performance. The 2025 iPhone SE is expected to follow suit by packing in the same A18 chip used in the iPhone 16, plus 8 GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence. Most sources also agree it will gain Face ID, rather than opting for a side-button Touch ID sensor like the iPad Air, plus an OLED screen.
What’s been less clear is whether Apple will preserve the notch cutout at the top or move to the Dynamic Island that was introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro and became standard with last year’s iPhone 15 lineup. If the “iPhone SE 4” follows the iPhone 14 design to the letter, that means a notch; however, we’ve also seen reports that it could adopt the Dynamic Island and possibly even a glass back more like that of the iPhone 16.
However, while it’s easy to see why Apple might want to move to the Dynamic Island to unify things, Gurman’s sources say that Apple plans to stay as true to the iPhone 14 design as the last two generations did to the iPhone 8.
The 2020 and 2022 iPhone SE models are nearly indistinguishable from the iPhone 8. However, while the “iPhone SE 4” may follow the iPhone 14 very closely, it’s likely to have one very prominent difference: a single camera instead of a dual camera array.
That’s not a certainty, though. In fact, it may be more of an assumption. Gurman doesn’t mention the cameras, and we haven’t heard much about Apple’s plans for the cameras on the next iPhone SE. A report last fall said the new iPhone SE was expected to feature a single 48-megapixel camera, accommodated by a custom backplate, but nobody has elaborated further on that since. That report also said that the new iPhone SE would have a device identifier of D59, while Gurman said today it’s codenamed V59. However, it’s unclear if there’s a conflict here or if those are two different codes for the same thing.
With so many other significant changes coming, including a TrueDepth camera with Face ID, it’s not inconceivable that Apple might make more substantial changes to the rear cameras. After all, it’s rare to find any smartphone with a single camera anymore; even the cheapest Android smartphones pack in at least two, although they’re typically not very good. Of course, Apple likes to “Think Different,” so it may still feel that one really good camera beats two mediocre ones.
According to Gurman’s sources, the new iPhone SE is “nearing production.” He doesn’t offer any insight into pricing — some reports have suggested it could be more expensive — he notes that the current model costs $429, which is already “more expensive than many of its rivals,” adding that Apple hopes to “entice budget-minded shoppers and potentially win back market share lost to brands such as Huawei and Xiaomi.” This suggests that Apple will do whatever it can to avoid a price increase.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]