The latest leaks and rumors suggest that next year will see the biggest-ever leap for the iPhone SE range, making it a low-cost powerhouse at the expense of the small form factor that some users still prefer.
It’s been two years since the release of the current-generation iPhone SE 3, and it looks as though it’ll be another year before we see iPhone SE 4 in early 2025. But that hasn’t stopped release date leaks spilling out.
Most importantly, all rumors point towards the next-gen iPhone SE combining elements of iPhone 14 and 15, while coming in at an expected price point of $499. Hardly “budget” level, but considerably cheaper than the mainline iPhones. To get there, as ever, there will be compromises. But this upcoming model sounds like it will have power in all the right places for longevity.
In short, we expect it to look something like this: 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, A16 chip, 48MP camera, USB-C port, 3,279 mAh battery. That’s a hugely impressive spec sheet for a mid-range device, bringing together the best parts of iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 into a hybrid device that will (at the time) be sold alongside the upcoming iPhone 16.
The compromises? Well, most of that tech will be a year or more old, although it should still hold up for years to come. And you won’t get additional cameras or any Pro-only features.
Another compromise for some users will be the sheer fact that Apple no longer sells small phones. iPhone SE 3 rocks an old-style 4.7-inch display and Touch ID, and it looks as though it’ll be the last Apple device to do so. That’s a shame for people with small hands and small pockets, who might not be on board with the trend towards bigger and bigger iPhones.