iPhone SE 4: A Major Overhaul Set for 2025 with AI Capabilities

iPhone SE 4 -- top 5 rumored changes to Apple's budget phone

Fans of the iPhone SE hope that there's something to the old adage about good things coming to those who wait. With no iPhone SE 4 arriving this year to replace the iPhone SE (2022) from two years back, we'll be waiting until 2025 at the earliest for a new model. There's good news, though. It's widely expected that Apple will deliver a new iPhone SE in early 20225, with no less a source than Bloomberg's Mark Gurman backing that release date. Even better, this sounds like a more significant upgrade than the 2022 model, which essentially just added 5G compatibility and an improved chipset to the iPhone SE 2020. Instead, the iPhone SE 4 is tipped to ring in a number of changes, from a new design to internal upgrades that will allow it to support Apple Intelligence. We've got several months to go in 2024, which means we've got plenty of time between now and the March window where Apple traditionally announces its SE models for more potential details to emerge. For now, though, here are the top iPhone SE 4 rumors that have us excited about the update to Apple's least expensive phone. If Apple's iPhone lineup were a wardrobe full of clothing, the new iPhone 16 models would be sleek Armani suits -- modern, made out of fine materials and pleasing to the eye. In contrast, the iPhone SE would be a leisure suit -- aging, dated and increasingly more ridiculous-looking. It's not the iPhone SE's fault that design tastes have moved away from the iPhone 8-style look that the current model adopted. These days, phone buyers want edge-to-edge designs, not the chunky bottom bezel the iPhone SE maintains to house its Touch ID sensor. The preference these days is also toward larger-screens, not the 4.7-inch panel the SE currently offers. Fortunately, it sounds like Apple has gotten the hint, with rumors suggesting the next iPhone SE will look more like an iPhone 14 with minimal bezels and a 6.1-inch display. Why the iPhone 14 and not something even more recent like an iPhone 16? Because the iPhone SE is likely to go with a notch to house its Face ID sensors and TrueDepth camera, as Apple reserves the Dynamic Island feature for pricier flagship models. We won't mind so long as that iPhone 8 look is left in the past where it belongs. The three previous SE models have used the same chipset of the flagship iPhone that came out just before their release. For example, the iPhone SE that arrived in the spring of 2022 featured the A15 Bionic chip that debuted in the iPhone 13 from fall 2021. That's one of the appeals of the SE model, in fact -- that it delivers flagship-grade performance in a much cheaper phone. Should Apple stick to that pattern, we'd expect the iPhone SE 4 to use the A18 silicon that just arrived in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. That's good news on several fronts, not the least of which is the matter of performance. As you can see in our iPhone 16 review, the A18 produced much better numbers on the Geekbench 6 test of general performance than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 inside the Galaxy S24. You'd anticipate similar performance from an A18-powered iPhone SE. Additionally, both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus saw big gains in battery life over their predecessors, doubtlessly benefiting from more efficient power management from the A18. (The iPhone 16 Plus, in fact, is part of our best phone battery life list rankings.) Battery life has never been a strong suit for the SE, so we're interested to see if this benefit helps the iPhone SE 4 last longer on a charge. There's another reason to hope that Apple turns to the A18 chipset for the iPhone SE. It would enable Apple's bargain phone to support Apple Intelligence, the suite of AI-powered features that will officially debut on the iPhone 16 lineup as well as the iPhone 15 Pro models later this month. (Initial Apple Intelligence are currently available as a public beta.) It's not unheard of for a budget phone to support AI capabilities. Google's Pixel 8a certainly does so, and it costs less than $500. But it would quite a coup for Apple to extend Apple Intelligence support to its cheapest phone, especially since the features are debuting on a limited number of devices. For what it's worth, Gurman has suggested that Apple Intelligence on the iPhone SE 4 is a very strong possibility. The current iPhone SE is the only phone Apple sells that still uses LCD for its displays. The rest of the iPhone lineup features OLED, even older models that Apple keeps around at discounted prices. That could change with the iPhone SE 4, which is tipped to get an OLED panel of its own. While LCD has its strengths, there's no comparison to the more accurate colors you get from an OLED panel. Blacks look deeper and richer, too. In short, expect an improve display on next year's iPhone SE, assuming this rumor pans out. Just don't expect a fast refresh rate on that display, a feature Apple still reserves for its Pro phones. And that's not expected to change until the iPhone 17 shows up in the fall. It's probably too much to ask for Apple to add a second lens to the back of the iPhone SE. But an upgrade to the 12MP sensor that the current model relies on may be in order, especially since Apple made that same upgrade to the iPhone 15 in 2023. Of all the iPhone SE 4 rumors, this one is the shakiest in terms of corroborating evidence. But it also makes a lot of sense that Apple would want to give a more modern-looking iPhone SE a more modern rear camera. We'll just have to wait and see how much of a makeover Apple gives to its budget iPhone in 2025.

These iPhone SE rumors hint at a major redesign that will frustrate iPhone 15 owners

The iPhone SE is due for a revamp, and a Bloomberg report suggests major changes to come in 2025. Apple is rumored to be launching a new iPhone SE model in 2025. The one currently available in the Apple Store was launched in 2022, with an aging design that sports a physical home button with Touch ID, thick bezels, and a single camera at the rear. An update is long overdue. Also: We've used every iPhone 16 model and here's our best buying advice for 2024 I've refrained from recommending the iPhone SE for purchase for a while now, and after a recent report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, you should definitely stay away from the most affordable yet incapable iPhone model. That's because the next iPhone SE is expected to be a total revamp, from hardware to software. According to Bloomberg, Apple is finally saying goodbye to the Home button as it brings the next-gen iPhone SE to more current standards. However, it won't feature a Dynamic Island like the iPhone 15 and 16. Instead, the 2025 iPhone SE is said to have an iPhone 14-like layout with a small notch at the top. Beyond aesthetics, that means you'll miss out on features like Live Activities. Also: Why I'm recommending the standard iPhone 16 over the Pro this year (and I'm not alone) There's another revelation that might cause some dissatisfaction among iPhone 15 users specifically. The next iPhone SE will supposedly support Apple Intelligence. This is a surprise because the currently on-sale iPhone 14 and last year's iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus do not support Apple's latest (and upcoming) AI features. That list includes improved Siri, image-generation tools, and more. Yet, all three of the older devices sit above the iPhone SE in price. There is no word on camera upgrades yet, but my guess is that Apple might limit the SE to a single-lens system again in order to give users more reason to spring for the higher-end models. Then again, if the company is repurposing the iPhone 14 design for the SE, it wouldn't be a far cry to expect both a main wide lens and an ultrawide to be present. In the last two years, Apple has limited the regular iPhones to the previous year's chipsets, which is why the A16 processor powers the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. Even if the company doesn't admit it, this handicapping is the reason why the now one-year-old iPhones don't support Apple Intelligence. Apple's AI is currently only supported by three processors, namely, A18 Pro (iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max), A18 Bionic (iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus), and A17 Pro (iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max). The 2025 iPhone SE is unlikely to field the same chipsets as the current iPhones. However, it's rumored to be powered by a toned-down version of the A17 Pro chipset -- possibly named the A17 Bionic -- in order to help run the latest AI tools. This would effectively make the iPhone 15 duo even more outdated in the process. Also: iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 16: Should you upgrade to Apple's latest model? There is no word on whether Apple will replace the Silent Switch with the Action button or include Camera Control on the upcoming iPhone SE. According to Gurman, "The SE overhaul will help Apple compete in the low-end smartphone market, where it faces tough competition from Android devices -- especially in China." With the surge of high-performing mid-range phones in the U.S. market, a revamped iPhone SE would help Apple stay even more competitive. The new model would compete with the Google Pixel 8a and OnePlus 12R, both of which sport flagship processors and features -- a recipe Apple is aiming to follow with the 2025 iPhone SE.

The iPhone SE 4 is reportedly almost ready - here's what you can expect

The last iPhone SE came in March 2022 (Image credit: Shutterstock / Foxartbox) For several years now, Apple has positioned the iPhone SE as a cut-price way into the iPhone ecosystem. Yet ever since the iPhone X's all-screen era, the iPhone SE has been something of a throwback, with its chunky bezels and Home button keeping it lodged in yesteryear. Despite all that, though, Apple's most affordable iPhone could be about to leap into the modern age - something that could happen as soon as early next year. That's according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, at least, who has just claimed that Apple is getting ready to launch the iPhone SE 4 in early 2025. The idea, Gurman says, is to add more modern features and designs in an attempt to woo budget-minded buyers. Those features will apparently include an edge-to-edge display that drops the Home button and thick top and bottom bezels. That will pave the way for Face ID to come to the iPhone SE, drastically improving its security over the Home button's Touch ID. The overall design, Gurman says, will resemble that of the iPhone 14, "including the notch cutout at the top." As well as that, the new iPhone SE will support Apple Intelligence, Apple's brand-new artificial intelligence (AI) suite. And although Gurman didn't specify it in his latest report, the inclusion of Apple Intelligence means that the iPhone SE will need a new, powerful chip in order to run the AI system. This would have to be at least an Apple A17 Pro but could potentially be an A18 to match the chip found in the iPhone 16. Gurman has a strong track record when it comes to Apple leaks, and he's far from the only voice saying a new iPhone SE is on the way. Indeed, rumors have been swirling for years that the device is due for a major upgrade. For example, display expert Ross Young has claimed that the iPhone SE's display will be 5.7 to 6.1 inches across, putting it in line with anything from the iPhone X to the iPhone 11 and up. The thing that all those phones have in common? An all-screen display with no Home button, further reinforcing Gurman's claims. Other leaks have suggested the iPhone SE will have an Action button and USB-C port, as well as an OLED display and a single 48MP camera. If all these rumors are correct, the lone camera would be one of the few things to make the iPhone SE a clear step below models like the iPhone 16. There's also no mention from Gurman of the new Camera Control, which if absent could further demarcate the iPhone SE from the rest of Apple's modern mobile range. But with an all-screen display, Apple Intelligence, a powerful chip and much more, the upcoming iPhone SE could be a very attractive option to prospective iPhone buyers - and it might even make the iPhone 16 sweat in comparison.

iPhone SE 4 Rumors: Bigger OLED Screen, Apple Intelligence and More to Expect

Apple just launched the iPhone 16 lineup, but don't forget about the company's cheaper, smaller model: the $429 iPhone SE. The pint-size iPhone made a comeback in 2020 and 2022, and another new version is expected to arrive in early 2025, according to Bloomberg. Unlike Apple's flagship iPhone family, the iPhone SE's launch timing is somewhat irregular. The first generation SE launched in 2016, followed by the second version in 2020 and the third in 2022. Apple also hasn't mentioned whether it plans to release new iPhone SE models moving forward since it rarely speaks about future products. But now that Apple has moved away from the iPhone Mini, the iPhone SE has an important role to play as the more portable and more affordable iPhone in Apple's lineup. Read more: After 2 Weeks With the iPhone 16, This Is My Favorite Feature There's plenty of room for Apple to further improve its cheaper iPhone. While my colleague Patrick Holland praised the 2022 iPhone SE for its accessible price and familiar home button, he criticized it for its lack of night mode photos and dated design. Android competitors like Samsung and Google have also improved their similarly priced budget phones in recent years. The Google Pixel 8A and Samsung Galaxy A55 5G both offer features once reserved for premium devices, like high refresh rates and multiple cameras. It's impossible to know exactly what to expect from Apple until the company makes an announcement. Based on predictions and reports from Bloomberg, MacRumors and the plugged-in TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, along with other leaks and Apple's product launch history, here's what we'd expect from Apple's next budget iPhone. Apple didn't respond to a request for comment regarding a future iPhone SE when this story was originally published. There has been a lot of back-and-forth about the iPhone SE 4's launch timing in recent years. But an August report from the often-accurate Mark Gurman of Bloomberg suggests that a new iPhone SE could debut in the beginning of 2025. That suggests it may arrive in the first quarter, which would line up with Apple's previous iPhone SE release dates. The first and third generation models, for example, both launched in March. The report comes after reports and speculation about the iPhone SE's existence have been uncertain over the last several years. In 2019, the analyst Kuo said Apple was working on an iPhone SE with a full-screen design similar to the iPhone XR, as MacRumors reported at the time. Apple has released two versions of the iPhone SE since then that retain the old iPhone 8-inspired design, which led to speculation about whether the model Kuo was referring to has been canceled or postponed. Kuo's 2023 predictions regarding the iPhone SE 4 have also been mixed. He reported last January that an iPhone SE originally planned for 2024 was canceled but followed up to say the project had been revived. He changed his prediction again in April 2023 to say that the model he previously referred to might just be an engineering prototype for an Apple in-house 5G baseband chip. His previous comments also suggested the iPhone SE 4 would include this 5G chip. Read more: Inside the Apple Watch Series 10's New Sleep Apnea Detection Feature But newer reports, including one from MacRumors, indicate Apple is indeed developing a new iPhone SE that reportedly includes some dramatic upgrades. The iPhone SE typically has the same processor as Apple's most recent flagship iPhone. For example, the 2022 iPhone SE has the same chip as the iPhone 13, which launched in September 2021. Since Apple's newest mobile chip is usually the iPhone SE's standout feature, it's hard to imagine Apple straying from that pattern. But that's more important than ever now that Apple Intelligence, the company's suite of new AI features, is dependent on the company's latest chips. The iPhone 16 family and last year's Pro models are the only iPhones that will be able to run these features for now. But based on Apple's history and Bloomberg's report, which says the iPhone SE 4 will support Apple Intelligence, it looks like that could change in the coming months. Apple Intelligence includes new AI-powered features such as the ability to rewrite, summarize and proofread text, a new version of Siri that's better at understanding words even when you fumble, the ability to erase objects in photos and notification and message summaries, among other features. The first wave of Apple Intelligence features will arrive in beta next month, while more features -- such as the ability to generate custom emoji -- will come later. Otherwise, the next iPhone SE could have an Apple-made 5G chip, according to Kuo. Still, it's hard to know if that prediction still applies since he later revised his estimate to say this device was likely an engineering prototype to test that 5G chip. MacRumors also reports that the iPhone SE 4 will have an Apple-made 5G modem. If the company is working on another iPhone SE, it will likely have a 6.1-inch screen similar to Apple's modern flagship phones. The current iPhone SE, by comparison, has a 4.7-inch screen with thick borders at the top and chin, much like the iPhone 8. In particular, the iPhone SE 4 is expected to look a lot like the iPhone 14, which Apple launched in 2022. A MacRumors article reported in September 2023 that the iPhone SE 4 will have a modified version of the iPhone 14's chassis and reiterated that point again in November. Bloomberg's report also suggests the iPhone SE4 will resemble Apple's two-year-old flagship. It's not just the design that's expected to get an upgrade; the display will see improvements too. Multiple reports, including those from Kuo, MacRumors, Bloomberg, The Elec and Nikkei Asia, suggest the next iPhone SE will have an OLED screen instead of LCD. That's a big deal because OLED typically displays richer contrast and deeper blacks, and these types of screens are consistent across the rest of Apple's iPhone lineup. Read more: Thinking About Buying a Foldable Phone? Here's How to Decide The next iPhone SE could inherit the iPhone 14's battery as well, according to MacRumors. If the blog's previous reports about the iPhone SE 4 following in the iPhone 14's footsteps prove to be accurate, a larger battery would be necessary to power its larger screen. Apple doesn't disclose the battery capacities for its phones, but it says the iPhone 14 should get five extra hours of video playback compared to the third-generation iPhone SE. Between the new chip and bigger battery that we're expecting to find in the next iPhone SE, it sounds like Apple's next affordable iPhone could see some pretty significant gains in battery life. Fans of Apple's Touch ID fingerprint sensor may be out of luck. MacRumors reports that the next iPhone SE will have Face ID, like other modern iPhones, instead of Apple's fingerprint sensor. That conflicts with Kuo's report from 2019, which indicated that the next iPhone SE would have a smaller notch area without Face ID and Touch ID embedded in the power button. But since Kuo's report is about five years old, that information may be outdated. Apple's next wallet-friendly iPhone may have a few things in common with Apple's newer iPhones. Since Apple switched to USB-C for the iPhone 15 lineup to comply with new European rules, it seems likely that the iPhone SE 4 could ditch the Lightning connector as well. MacRumors also claims the iPhone SE 4 will have USB-C. The more surprising note in MacRumors' story is that the iPhone SE 4 could gain the Action button, which is a new key for programming shortcuts that's currently exclusive to the iPhone 16 family, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. If true, it would be another sign that Apple wants to make the Action button standard across the iPhone lineup, coming after it brought the Action button to the standard models this year. MacRumors also reports that a 48-megapixel single camera could be in store for the next iPhone SE. That would signal another similarity it could share with the iPhone 15 and 16, which also have 48-megapixel main cameras. If the report is accurate, the iPhone SE will only have one rear camera, unlike Apple's more expensive phones. The regular iPhone 15 has wide and ultra-wide cameras, while the Pro versions have wide, ultra-wide and telephoto cameras. But Apple introduced the "Fusion" camera on this year's regular iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, which it says enables a 2x optical quality zoom despite lacking a dedicated telephoto lens. While reports don't specify whether the iPhone SE 4 will have this camera, it wouldn't be surprising if Apple implemented it to compensate for the iPhone SE's single camera setup. If the rumors are true, the fourth-generation iPhone SE could bring Apple's tiny, budget iPhone up to date with the rest of Apple's lineup. Depending on the price, it could end up being a solid choice for people in need of a more modern iPhone that don't care about the iPhone 16's extra flourishes, like the Camera Control button.

Apple's Next New iPhone to Debut in the Spring: What to Expect

Apple's budget-friendly iPhone SE is set for a major overhaul with a fourth generation model expected to launch in spring 2025. The upcoming model will mark a significant departure from its predecessors, adopting several features from higher-end iPhones while maintaining its position as the most affordable new model in Apple's lineup. According to recent reports, the iPhone SE 4 will sport a design reminiscent of the iPhone 14, featuring a larger 6.1-inch OLED display. This marks a substantial increase from the current model's 4.7-inch LCD screen and brings the SE line in line with Apple's flagship devices in terms of display technology. The move to OLED is part of Apple's broader strategy to phase out LCD displays across its iPhone lineup. This shift will impact longstanding suppliers like Japan Display and Sharp, who have primarily provided LCD panels for previous SE models. In terms of performance, the iPhone SE 4 is rumored to be powered by the A18 chip, which debuted in the iPhone 16 series last month. The device is also expected to make the switch from Touch ID to Face ID, marking the end of the road for the iPhone's physical Home button. Other notable upgrades include: The increase in RAM is particularly significant, as it will enable the iPhone SE 4 to support Apple Intelligence, the company's suite of AI features, which are expected to begin rolling out with the release of iOS 18.1 later this month. This inclusion would make the SE 4 the most affordable iPhone capable of running these advanced AI features (something last year's standard iPhone 15 models are unable to do). Despite these substantial upgrades, Apple is expected to maintain the iPhone SE's position as a budget-friendly option. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggests the device will likely be priced between $400 and $500, in line with previous models. As for timing, multiple sources, including Gurman and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, point to a spring 2025 release. Given that all previous iPhone SE models were announced in March, a March 2025 launch seems highly probable. Apple suppliers are reportedly gearing up to begin mass production in October of this year, setting the stage for an early 2025 release.

I'm an iPhone SE fan -- but I don't like what I'm hearing about the iPhone SE 4

Apple reportedly has a new iPhone SE model in the works, with an eye toward shipping the phone early next year. However, given some of the changes being floated for the iPhone SE 4, I wonder whether this phone will really be made in the same spirit as its predecessors. When Apple released the original iPhone SE back in 2016, it stood out from the flagship iPhones in two key ways -- 1) it was small and 2) it was cheap. The first iPhone SE arrived at a time when Apple had started making bigger devices, though big in this case is a relative description. (The iPhone 6s Plus that had come out the previous fall offered a 5.5-inch display, which would be derided nowadays as hopelessly minuscule.) With a starting price of $399, the iPhone SE was $250 less than the iPhone 6s, even though it ran on the same A9 chipset. Sizes and prices have gone up over the years -- these days, the iPhone SE 2022 offers a 4.7-inch screen and a $429 starting price -- but the basic principle of "small phone with a small price tag" remains the most distinctive thing about the cheapest iPhone in Apple's lineup. It's been clear for some time that the iPhone's days as a small phone lover's go-to device are numbered. More than one iPhone SE 4 rumor tips the new model to ditch the aging iPhone 8-style design with its home button and big bottom bezel for an iPhone 14-style frame with a notched display. That would necessitate a bump up in screen size from 4.7 inches to 6.1 inches. And that's fine. Consumers have made it clear they want bigger screen phones, and even though this would be a big increase for the SE's display, the thinner bezels on this model of iPhone means it would only be a third of an inch taller than the current iPhone SE and less than 0.2 inches wider. That's hardly super-sizing things. But now it sounds as if the iPhone SE 4's price will increase as well. And that news is a lot harder to stomach. To be fair, there's nothing official about this rumored iPhone SE 4 price hike, just a report from a leaker named Revegnus1 with a decent though not spotless record of leaked phone info. Under this rumor, reported by PhoneArena, the iPhone SE 4 cost would jump to $499 when the phone arrives next year. If you want to focus on the bright side, that's just a $70 increase over what an iPhone SE currently costs. It would also match the price of the Google Pixel 8a and the OnePlus 12R, two of the best cheap phones under $500. That Pixel 8a comparison would be particularly apt, as Google's phone delivers several AI-powered features. That's likely to be a major focus on the iPhone SE 4 as well, with Apple unlikely to release a new model in 2025 that doesn't support the new Apple Intelligence features currently rolling out to its flagship devices. To support Apple Intelligence, the iPhone SE 4 would need a fair amount of RAM and a new chipset. That would likely be the A18 silicon Apple just introduced with the iPhone 16 since the company has a habit of equipping SE models with the system-on-chip that debuted in its flagship from the preceding fall. In a sense, that's great news. You'll be able to get top-line performance from a lower-cost iPhone, and you won't miss out on Apple Intelligence, which figures to be a major focus for Apple and its hardware going forward. But the added horsepower also is likely one of the culprits behind that iPhone SE price increase, if it does in fact happen. I say "one of the culprits" because the iPhone SE 4 has been tipped to receive other upgrades as well. It's possible the new phone could get an OLED panel, replacing the LCD screen found on the current iPhone SE. It's also possible that the lone 12MP main camera would make way for a 48MP sensor, similar to how Apple upgraded the main camera on the iPhone 15 last year. All of those features will be welcome improvements, but nothing in life comes free. The likely result would be a more expensive iPhone SE. Now, for a lot of people, paying extra for the kind of improvements being discussed here would be a fair trade-off, but it would come at the expense of a rare opportunity for Apple to undercut the competition on price. Think about it -- the company known for charging consumers the so-called Apple Tax selling a midrange phone with Apple Intelligence capabilities and an improved camera that actually costs less than something Google makes. It may turn out that the Pixel 8a offers a better experience than the yet-to-be-announced iPhone SE 4 -- certainly, Google enjoys a sizable lead in terms of AI features -- but that would score Apple some serious PR points with the public. We also need to remember that the iPhone SE has an audience outside of North America. Apple makes the SE to better compete in places like China and India where there are a lot of low-cost options for smartphone buyers. Pushing the iPhone SE 4 price upward is a step in the wrong direction to win over those markets. And that leaves me, the one-time owner of an iPhone SE, in an odd position -- hoping that rumors of improved hardware and features are true but that the logical price hike that might result from those improvements doesn't happen. Nearly everything I've heard about next year's iPhone SE sounds appealing; I just hope Apple doesn't do it at the expense of one of the things that made the original iPhone SE so appealing in the first place.

The Next iPhone Could Arrive Early Next Year to Showcase Apple Intelligence on a Budget

Plus, the latest reports suggest Apple’s working on a new iPad Mini that, if we had to guess, will showcase more Apple Intelligence. The next big iPhone that will take advantage of Apple Intelligence won’t just be the iPhone 16. According to a new report, Apple intends to unveil a 4th-gen iPhone SE early next year, around the same time most expect the Cupertino, California company to launch a rejuvenated Siri full of AI improvements. Finally, the SE is set to ditch the home button and feature a full edge-to-edge screen. It will be the biggest SE redesign since the first iPhone SE debuted in 2016. Based on anonymous sources, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported Tuesday that the SE 4, codenamed V59, will have a notch like the iPhone 14. Otherwise, it will include a full screen. The 2022 iPhone SE with 5G capabilities still had the home button, but the next cheaper iPhone could have an edge-to-edge display. According to Gurman's sources, it will also support Apple Intelligence. Given that hint, we have to assume the next cheap phone would have a minimum of 8 GB of RAM, the same as the iPhone 15 Pro. Apple has all but outright stated that its AI suite requires that much memory plus a quality chip. That means it needs to have a CPU equivalent to the 6-core A17 Pro or the A18 found in the latest iPhones. Apple is facing stiff competition for cheap phones, especially considering just how strong a contender the Google Pixel 8a is and how the Google Pixel 9a is on the horizon. The current iPhone SE costs $430, while the modern, cheaper Pixels sell for $500. I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple raised the price to compensate for the added processing capabilities needed to support AI. We may see even more cheap Apple products by the end of this year. Gurman’s sources suggested there may be a new iPad Mini. The last 8.3-inch iPad came out in 2021 and sported the mobile-focused A15 Bionic chip. The new model could arrive before the end of 2024, though that seems a little hairy since there are plenty of rumors to say we’ll see new MacBook Pros and a Mac Mini with M4 chips this month. But that’s not all. Gurman noted that Apple has plans for two new iPad Air models. They may look the same on the outside but could get upgraded internals. The last two iPad Airs from this year included an M2 chip. Perhaps the next models could get the jump to M3. I doubt it would get the M4 treatment. The iPad Pro 2024 marked the launch of the M4, and it would make the two devices way too close in performance to justify buying the more expensive model. As much as these releases suggest Apple wants to regain its footing in the cheaper mobile device market, it also speaks to just how important Apple Intelligence is to its prospects. As good as the iPhone 16 lineup is, it's still missing many promised features, including AI capabilities. According to the latest reports, the most important of which is the revised Siri, which won’t arrive until early 2025. Only the latest iPhones will get these capabilities. When competition like Google is already rolling ahead with Gemini on Android devices, Apple needs to look like this was the plan all along once Siri gets its promised AI makeover next year.

Apple Preparing New Low-End Phone for Early Next Year, Report Says

The tech giant also is working on new models of iPads and Mac computers that will launch over the next year, Bloomberg reported. Apple (AAPL) reportedly is working on new versions of a number of its products, including the low-cost iPhone SE, with plans to release them over the next year. Most notably, the new iPhone SE would come with a redesign that includes removing the home button, as the current SE model is Apple's last smartphone with one, Bloomberg reported. People familiar told Bloomberg that the new iPhone SE model is being prepared for an early 2025 launch, and said it will receive the artificial intelligence (AI) features that Apple focused on for much of last month's launch event for the iPhone 16 and other products. The new SE model, the first since a 2022 launch of the iPhone SE 3 with upgrades including 5G capabilities, reportedly will remove the home button and switch to the larger, corner-to-corner screen design that has become standard across the rest of Apple's iPhone lineup. Apple is also developing a new iPad Air and keyboards to be released early next year, a new iPad Mini that could be released before the end of 2024, and new models of its Mac computer lineup, set to be launched later in 2025, according to Bloomberg. Apple did not immediately respond to an Investopedia request for comment. Shares were down 1% soon after markets opened Wednesday. They had been trading near record highs but declined nearly 3% yesterday after Barclays warned that demand for the iPhone 16 could be subdued.

Apple To Launch Budget iPhone in 2025, Aims for Market Share Gains from Huawei and Xiaomi - Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), iShares Global Tech ETF (ARCA:IXN)

The new iPhone SE will feature an edge-to-edge screen and may support Apple Intelligence, solidifying its entry-level offering. Apple Inc AAPL is nearing the launch of a budget smartphone by 2025 to regain market share lost to Huawei Technologies Co and Xiaomi Corp XIACF XIACY. Apple iPhone's market share in China slipped to 14%, down from third to sixth place in the second quarter. Huawei bagged the fourth position, and Xiaomi came fifth. Vivo emerged as the number one brand, OPPO remained second, and HONOR came third in China. Canalys attributed the local brands' success to the early discounts and promotions, integration of generative artificial intelligence, and their collaboration with regional supply chains. Also Read: Nvidia Expands AI Offerings with New Open-Source Models and Unreal Engine 5 Plugins Apple is nearing production of an updated iPhone SE dubbed V59 that will become its new entry-level model, Bloomberg cites familiar sources. Reportedly, Apple will transition to an edge-to-edge screen, removing the old home button design. The new SE phone will likely support Apple Intelligence. Needham analyst Laura Martin expects 89%- 96% of Apple's 2025 revenue to depend on iPhone sales, underscoring the importance of Apple's smartphone strategy. Apple is also considering iPad upgrades. The company's new iPad Air models, dubbed J607 and J637, will likely launch in 2025. A new iPad mini, dubbed J410, will be available by the end of 2024. Apple's updated models include a revamped Mac mini, updated MacBook Pros, and iMacs with the M4 processor and Apple Intelligence features. However, Barclays analyst Tim Long flagged a potential 3 million iPhone unit cut for the December quarter due to demand weakness. Apple stock is up over 30% in the last 12 months. Investors can gain exposure to the stock through iShares Global Tech ETF IXN and Vanguard Information Tech ETF VGT. Price Action: AAPL stock is down 0.23% at $225.69 at the last check on Wednesday. Also Read: Qualcomm Partners With STMicroelectronics To Boost AI-Powered IoT Connectivity Image via Shutterstock Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs