Apple’s latest flagship, the iPhone 16, is here, and next in line is a more affordable iPhone, the iPhone SE. The first generation iPhone SE was launched in 2016, followed by the second in 2020 and the third in 2022. However, in 2023, there was no news of the next SE model, and now, as we near the end of 2024, there is still no sign of the fourth-generation iPhone SE. But if reports are to be believed, Apple will not keep its users waiting much, as the next iPhone SE is expected to be launched in early 2025.

According to reports, the new generation SE will bring significant upgrades, including a bigger screen, better hardware, faster software, and support for Apple Intelligence. Some speculation suggests that the iPhone SE 4 could follow the blueprint of the iPhone 14, offering many of its features at a more affordable price. If this proves to be true, the iPhone SE would be a great option for users who want to experience a capable iPhone without the premium costs associated with flagship models.

But what will the fourth-generation iPhone SE actually offer? Let’s take a look at what industry rumors are pointing towards:

6.1 inch OLED display

The iPhone SE 4 is expected to move away from the legacy design of the previous SE models and adopt a design in line with the flagship models. According to MacRumors, the iPhone SE will have a 6.1-inch OLED display, which is an upgrade from the current SE’s 4.7-inch LCD. OLED will offer better contrast and deeper blacks, bringing the SE closer to Apple’s modern devices. Additionally, the larger screen size is expected to match the dimensions of the iPhone 14.

The design is likely to have minimal bezels, which will align it with the iPhone 14 aesthetic. However, it is not expected to include new features like Dynamic Island, which is exclusive to the flagship iPhone 16 models. Instead, the iPhone SE 4 will likely retain a notch similar to the iPhone 14.

Camera up to 48-megapixel

The iPhone SE 4 is also rumored to get a major camera upgrade, with reports suggesting a 48-megapixel main rear camera, which is a significant jump from the 12-megapixel camera found in previous SE models.

There are also suggestions that Apple may incorporate some of its computational photography features to enhance image quality. These software optimizations, combined with the higher resolution sensor, can make the SE 4’s camera suitable for most day-to-day photography tasks.

Powered by A18 chip and more RAM

Like previous iPhone SE models, the SE 4 is expected to feature Apple’s latest processor – in this case, the A18 chip, which powers the iPhone 16 series. This will ensure that despite being a low-cost device, the iPhone SE 4 will still deliver fast performance, handling tough tasks like gaming and multitasking with ease.

Support for Apple Intelligence

The A18 chip will also enable the iPhone SE 4 to support Apple Intelligence, Apple’s latest AI features. These are expected to include better text rewriting, better image editing, and a more responsive version of Siri. These features require significant processing power, and the SE4 is rumored to come with 8GB of RAM – double that of the 2022 SE model – to handle these tasks. However, there may be limitations to AI capabilities, as the premium iPhone 16 models are likely to focus more on advanced AI functionality.

Moving from Touch ID to Face ID

The iPhone SE 4 is also expected to shift from Touch ID to Face ID, bringing the SE series in line with the rest of Apple’s iPhone lineup, which already includes facial recognition.

USB-C and action button

Apple is expected to switch the iPhone SE 4 to USB-C charging, following the change made to the iPhone 15 series, in compliance with EU regulations. This change will make charging and data transfers more convenient, especially for users who already have other USB-C devices.

The SE 4 may also introduce an Action button, which is currently exclusive to Apple’s Pro models. This programmable button will allow users to customize shortcuts for specific tasks, like launching the camera or switching to silent mode.

big battery

The iPhone SE 4 is also rumored to adopt the iPhone 14’s battery, which will provide a significant improvement in battery life compared to the previous SE model. The increased capacity will help power the OLED display and A18 chip, ensuring that the SE can last a full day of use.