After years of rumours, Apple may finally be gearing up to revive its budget-friendly iPhone SE lineup with the long-awaited iPhone SE 4.
With the current iPhone SE running low in stores and some models disappearing online, a new version felt inevitable – and now we have a potential date.
Here’s what we know about the upcoming smartphone, including when you can buy it and how much it could cost.
iPhone SE 4 release date
Apple leaker Mark Gurman originally claimed the iPhone SE 4 could be announced as early as February 10. We got the Beats PowerBeats Pro 2 (Beats is an Apple brand) during that week, so Gurman now claims the phone is headed for a slightly later release, to be announced potentially in the week commencing February 17.
“New iPhone SE is still imminent and should be announced by next week, when the company is holding product briefings,” Gurman said in a February 12 post on X.
Unlike the main iPhones, the iPhone SE doesn’t have a rock-solid release pattern established. Here are the announcement dates of the previous iPhone SE handsets:
It looks as though this fourth-generation iPhone SE will be announced significantly earlier in the year than any of its predecessors. And why? Apple Intelligence’s full suite of features is expected to arrive in March.
For a phone loved by so many Apple fans, the new model is set to arrive with surprisingly little fanfare. Instead of a flashy launch event, Apple will reportedly drop the news quietly on its website.
Here's what the iPhone SE 4 looks like pic.twitter.com/pEyIAJ34VR
— Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) January 25, 2025
Apple has yet to confirm the iPhone SE 4’s existence, so any release date predictions should be taken with a pinch of salt.
The cheapest way to get an AI iPhone
Despite the muted launch, iPhone SE fans have plenty to be excited about. With the upcoming model, Apple is expected to give the SE a much-needed overhaul, bringing it in line with the current generation of iPhones.
As such, it could be the cheapest way to access the company’s new AI software, known as Apple Intelligence. Currently, those photo-editing and emoji-generating features are limited to the pricier iPhone 16 and last year’s high-end Pro models.
iPhone SE 4 design
So, how exactly has it changed? Leaked dummy units that offer a detailed look at the rumoured phone’s design have appeared on social media. Judging by the pics and clips, it looks like Apple is planning to size up the SE 4 while holding on to the single camera on the back.
The iPhone 14’s love-it-or-hate-it display notch also appears to have returned.
The new iPhone SE 4 will feature a 60hz oled screen with a 6.06 inch notch and will be equipped with the action button, will you buy it? pic.twitter.com/YnOehX0IPV
— Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) January 28, 2025
Leaving behind the SE 3’s physical home button, a relic not seen on a standard iPhone since 2017, the new model will adopt a contemporary, full-screen display, according to Mr Gurman.
iPhone SE 4 size and display
Despite the new look, it may still be a throwback in some ways. The iPhone SE 4 could resemble the iPhone 14, complete with a divisive notch at the top of its significantly larger and sharper, 6.1-inch OLED display (versus the SE 3’s 4.7-inch LCD panel).
That means the Dynamic Island, the pill-shaped cutout that displays alerts, will remain exclusive to premium models for the foreseeable future.
All told, the SE 4’s borrowed display should come pretty close to the iPhone 16’s, offering similar resolution and pixel density, albeit with less maximum brightness.
iPhone SE 4 specs
.jpg?trim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0)
With the home button a thing of the past, the iPhone SE 4 may also ditch Touch ID for Face ID, allowing you to instantly unlock it with your beautiful visage.
The biggest upgrades will be under the hood, with Apple going full Victor Frankenstein by stitching together parts from its latest flagships to form the new smartphone.
Chip
To get Apple Intelligence running, the SE 4 could house the same base A18 chip as the standard iPhone 16. Unless Apple is planning to taper the amount of AI features available on the device, it will also have to double the RAM from 4GB presently to at least 8GB.
Camera
Although the SE 4 won’t be making the jump from one rear camera to two, the snapper should get raised to 48MP from 12MP, bringing with it better 2x zoom for improved close-ups. The 7MP selfie camera could also be switched with a 12MP one. Both will apparently be exported from 2023’s iPhone 15.
5G
Notably, the SE 4 could also be the first iPhone to feature Apple’s self-built 5G modem, per 9to5Mac. While it’s unclear what benefits this will bring off the bat, there are rumblings it could improve battery life, especially in low-power mode.
iPhone SE 4 price
All those upgrades could come at a price. Apple is expected to charge around $499-$549 for the SE 4, which could work out to £499-£549 in the UK.
The higher cost would push it right to the top end of the mid-range category.
Apple’s entry-level iPhones have been around since 2016, and the latest model (2022’s iPhone SE 3) is currently on sale for £429. They are popular with those who prefer a smaller device without the premium cost.
Summary
The iPhone SE 4 almost sounds too good to be true.
A repackaged version of the iPhone 14 would have been good enough but the addition of an improved camera and the latest A18 chip is a big bonus.
Thanks to its larger size and OLED display (a first for the SE range), it could feasibly challenge the Pixel 8a and the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE for the title of best mid-budget smartphone.
A cheaper device getting Apple Intelligence has got to hurt for iPhone 15 owners who missed out on the AI by a year. But, for everyone else, the SE 4 sounds like a winner. It should make for an ace birthday gift for mums, dads and grandparents – and a solid starter phone for teens.
