Apple is expected to announce the iPhone SE 4 as early as next week, with the device going on sale later this month, according to people familiar with the matter. The community has anticipated the launch of the fourth iPhone SE for nearly a year, with recent reports speculating a late March or early April release.
It’ll be interesting to see to what degree Apple plays up the custom modem in the new iPhone SE. On one hand, it’s a major feat. On the other, the whole point is that customers won’t notice a difference. Touting it significantly also opens the door to Qualcomm speed comparisons.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) February 7, 2025
The iPhone SE 4 will debut Apple’s in-house 5G modem, marking the company’s first modem following its push to bring the modem stack under its complete control.
NEW: Apple plans to launch the overhauled iPhone SE as early as next week. Major features include iPhone 14-like design, A18 chip, Apple Intelligence, bigger screen and USB-C. https://t.co/iSBTy3sBOg
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) February 6, 2025
The early launch will allow Apple to gather user data from the modem around six weeks earlier, potentially influencing the final design of the iPhone 17 models expected in September 2025. Launching the iPhone SE at this time offers several advantages for Apple. It could boost overall sales and counteract the trend of falling market share in the last quarter of 2024.
If the new SE comes next week I wonder if we’ll get the case and watch band refresh earlier than usual too
— Parker Ortolani (@ParkerOrtolani) February 7, 2025
Additionally, the mid-range market is highly competitive, with many new smartphones set to be announced at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) on Monday, March 3. Launching and releasing the iPhone SE before MWC will give it a clearer run to market and allow Apple to control the narrative. However, the iPhone SE will face challenges in the evolved mid-range market.
Apple’s rumored budget smartphone launch
Cameras now have multiple lenses and improved optics, chipsets are faster, and generative AI has become a significant selling point. Apple’s AI efforts are competent but not leading, and the main camera of the SE is expected to have just a single lens.
The “iPhone price premium” could also work against it in such a competitive market. Despite these challenges, Apple’s decision to get ahead of the story and set its own terms may be the most significant benefit of an early announcement. The iPhone SE 4 is expected to feature several big changes compared to its predecessor, including a new design without a Home button, Face ID technology, the powerful A18 chipset, support for advanced Apple Intelligence features, iOS 18, a 48MP camera sensor, and a USB Type-C port.
As the most affordable iPhone in Apple’s lineup, the iPhone SE 4 aims to provide high-end features at a more accessible price point. The device is rumored to adopt a 6.1-inch OLED screen, a significant upgrade from the current 4.7-inch LCD display. It may also inherit the battery from the iPhone 14, potentially leading to improvements in battery life.
While these rumors are based on reports and leaks, the official details will be unveiled by Apple. The iPhone SE 4 could bring a significant overhaul to the SE series, positioning it as a formidable contender in the budget smartphone market against mid-range devices from brands like Samsung and Google.
