Simply weeks after the discharge of the iPhone 16, ideas are already turning to the extra inexpensive smartphone Apple plans to unveil early subsequent yr. In some ways this will probably be a much more fascinating and radical launch.
The iPhone SE is up to date much less ceaselessly than the flagship fashions on the high of the iPhone vary: the three fashions thus far have arrived in 2016, 2020, and 2022, with the 4th-gen SE anticipated to debut in spring 2025. For that reason, it could be anticipated that these rarer occasions could be extra substantive, however that wasn’t the case with the Third-gen SE, which was, actually a disappointment. So Apple owes us large for the 4th-gen mannequin–and it’d really ship.
The expectation is that we’re about to get a long-overdue design revamp, away from the iPhone 8 chassis used for the final two fashions and into one thing resembling a contemporary smartphone. Extremely, it’d leap all the best way ahead to an iPhone 16 shell, in line with credible sources. And with the Ninth-gen iPad discontinued earlier this yr, this may symbolize the tip of the Residence button that was as soon as such an iconic aspect of Apple’s cell merchandise.
It’s been the consensus amongst pundits for a while that the 4th-gen SE will probably be a significant step ahead for the road, however Bloomberg leaker king Mark Gurman provides credibility and a few extra element to the rumors. Basing his pronouncements on the testimony of “people with knowledge of the matter… who asked not to be identified because the plans aren’t public,” Gurman claims the following mannequin is codenamed V59 and is meant to assist Apple compete with low-end Android telephones in China.
On the design entrance, Gurman suggests the brand new SE will use an iPhone 14 slightly than an iPhone 16 shell. This could nonetheless be a big step ahead from the antiquated iPhone 8 chassis, after all, however would imply the inclusion of a notch: no Dynamic Island for SE consumers, sadly. Nevertheless it did all the time appear formidable that the SE would so intently match a flagship telephone that will probably be solely six months outdated when it comes out.
Notably because the 4th-gen SE will assist one of many 16-series iPhones’ marquee options: Apple Intelligence. That possible means it is going to have an A18 processor with 8GB of RAM, one of many necessities for Apple Intelligence. As I’ve written elsewhere, this would possibly simply make it the proper Apple Intelligence machine, and it actually suggests we will count on a state-of-the-art processor and respectable complement of RAM. Prior to now, the iPhone SE has supplied up-to-date tech specs inside an older design, and its attraction various in line with the exact age of that design: a chassis that will probably be 30 months outdated by subsequent spring looks like a smart compromise.
For all the most recent information and rumors, examine our iPhone SE 2025 superguide.