When Apple launched the iPhone 16 in September, it continued to promote the 14, 15, and SE 3 fashions at decrease costs. As normal, this gave clients on extra restricted budgets the pliability to select between 5 most important iterations (counting the Plus variants) with three completely different sizes and a blended assortment of technical specs.
Nonetheless, whereas none of those iPhones are dangerous telephones, it couldn’t be a worse doable time to get considered one of them—whilst a present. And, in case you obtained one, chances are you’ll wish to take it again earlier than the vacation return window closes. As a result of the iPhone SE 4 might be higher than all of them.
Nothing particular
The iPhone SE line has lengthy been in want of an replace because of its outdated design. Whereas higher-end iPhones have lengthy moved on and adopted extra fashionable appearances, the SE continues to persist in a bygone period. That’s about to vary in a number of months.
Credible leaks have lengthy indicated that the iPhone SE 4, which is because of arrive this spring, will lastly retire the basic chassis in favor of a contemporary look that adopts one thing just like the iPhone 14. So, in only a few months, we may very well be bidding the prehistoric 4.7-inch LCD with thick bezels and a bodily House button farewell—as soon as and for all. The entrance aspect would as an alternative undertake an edge-to-edge, 6.1-inch OLED panel with a notch. This could lastly present iPhone SE customers with an immersive display that includes a better pixel decision, true black ranges, and sleeker bezels. It might additionally supply a 48MO rear digicam and a TrueDepth entrance digicam with Face ID—all lightyears higher than the present SE you simply obtained.
Plus it’s nonetheless obtained a Lightning port, as does the iPhone 14. So, ready for an iPhone SE 4 would spare you from carrying round a devoted Lightning cable—assuming your different devices cost through USB-C.
The iPhone SE and iPhone 14 nonetheless have Lightning ports, which implies it’s a must to carry a further cable.
Foundry
Trying to find Apple Intelligence
From afar, the iPhone 14 and 15 could look extra superior than even the upcoming SE 4. In spite of everything, they pack twin rear digicam methods, and the 2023 fashions boast the futuristic Dynamic Island. In the meantime, 2025’s finances launch will seemingly miss out on each options. Regardless of that, a better have a look at the finances telephone’s rumored internals suggests it’ll outperform the aforementioned iPhones.
Nonetheless, the iPhone SE 4 will seemingly pack both the iPhone 16’s base A18 chipset or the iPhone 17 Professional, that includes 6 CPU cores, 5 GPU cores, 16 Neural Engine cores, and 8GB of RAM. This could allow it to run a number of the demanding cell video games that completely run on newer gadgets. Past its snappier Safari, the iPhone SE 4 will most likely obtain software program updates for an extended interval than the 14 and 15 fashions.
Extra importantly, although, it will unlock the in depth Apple Intelligence suite that isn’t out there on the iPhone 14 or 15. Apple Intelligence goes to be a centerpiece of the Apple ecosystem for years to come back, so that you’re going to need a telephone that helps it.
Apple Intelligence won’t be essential now, however will probably be on the forefront of Apple’s ecosystem for years to come back.
Foundry
Flagship high quality at a reduction
The iPhone SE 4 received’t have each function you’re getting together with your iPhone 15 and even the 14. Essentially the most outstanding absentee will probably be the ultra-wide rear lens out there on the iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 15, and 15 Plus. The iPhone SE 4 might equally be restricted to a single 6.1-inch possibility, whereas the flagships from 2022 and 2023 supply bigger 6.7-inch Plus editions. In any other case, the ultimate notable omission could be the Dynamic Island cutout out there on the iPhone 15.
Regardless of these drawbacks, the iPhone SE 4 will nonetheless be a greater finances choose. Positive, the Dynamic Island is sweet to have, however you’ll nonetheless be capable to entry Reside Actions through the Notification Middle and Lock Display. And, though the digicam and measurement limitations could irritate sure clients, the iPhone SE 4 might be leaps forward of its predecessor.
Face ID is coming no less than the iPhone SE, making it safer and handy.
Foundry
Switching from a 4.7-inch, thick-bezel LCD to a 6.1-inch, edge-to-edge OLED will considerably improve the iPhone SE 4’s video-watching and app-scrolling expertise. Comparably, upgrading the traditional rear digicam from 12MP to 48MP will unlock crisper pictures and 2x zoom that don’t utterly wreck the outputted pictures’ decision.
The iPhone SE 4 would be the first iPhone to supply each a design that matches our fashionable occasions and a flagship processor that helps all the related iOS options. And, for the primary time, iPhone customers will get to expertise Apple Intelligence—seemingly for lower than $500. It’s even doable Apple will discontinue the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus altogether since paying $100 extra for the same iPhone that lacks Apple Intelligence and USB-C isn’t the very best deal.
The iPhone SE 4 is shaping as much as be an actual risk to midrange Android telephones and Apple’s present lineup. Based mostly on the leaks, Apple seems to have addressed all the present SE’s flaws and constructed a telephone that’s excellent for any person on a finances. So in case you simply obtained considered one of Apple’s cheaper telephones, go field it up and return it, as a result of one thing higher is coming quickly.