iPhone SE 4: Apple's Budget AI Powerhouse Set to Redefine Affordable Smartphones

IPhone SE 4: A game changer for budget smartphones?

Attention is shifting from the recent iPhone 16 series to anticipation of the next iPhone release, which may not be the iPhone 17, but the budget-friendly iPhone SE 4. This version, expected in early 2025, could be a major turning point for . Traditionally, the iPhone SE has offered older designs with upgraded internals compared to flagship models. The first SE in 2016 combined an iPhone 5s form factor with the specifications of the iPhone 6s, while later versions used the design of the iPhone 8 but featured upgraded components. Design and performance upgrades The iPhone SE 4 is rumored to omit the home button, departing from classic hardware features. The device may get a larger 6.1-inch display, possibly upgrading from LCD to OLED. Although the home button will likely be absent, the device could feature a notch, although not the found in more expensive models. Other speculation includes an Action button and charging via USB-C. It could also be the first iPhone to use 's self-developed 5G chip, which comes from Intel's acquisition of modem accounts a few years ago. The single-camera setup is expected to get an upgrade to a 48-megapixel sensor from its predecessor's 12MP sensor. AI integration and market potential Crucially, the iPhone SE 4 may be equipped with 's A18 chip, just like the flagship iPhone 16. This would be a major leap forward. took a strategic approach to integrating AI, initially focusing on premium iPhone models. While this approach yielded impressive results, such as the Clean Up tool outperforming the competition, it limited accessibility to a select number of users. The iPhone SE 4 presents an opportunity to extend the reach of Intelligence. By making it accessible to users with more affordable iPhones, may be able to capture a larger market share. Implications and competition The impact of features such as Clean Up could be significant for a wider audience by simplifying photo editing and improving the daily user experience. While the iPhone SE 3 offered 5G connectivity, it seemed less attractive compared to its predecessor due to the use of a five-year-old design and limited upgrades. However, the iPhone SE 4 has the potential to redefine the budget smartphone category if the rumors prove correct. By making Intelligence more widely available and significantly improving its design and performance, the iPhone SE 4 could take center stage in 2025. This move would allow to effectively compete with rivals that offer AI features throughout their product line. If you want access to all articles, enjoy our promo temporarily and subscribe here!

The iPhone SE 4 is going to be a bigger deal than you think

Table of Contents Table of Contents The iPhone SE 4 should be a big upgrade Apple Intelligence for the masses A very important iPhone The iPhone 16 line has come and gone, and now most of us are looking forward to what the next iPhone has in store. Though the first thing that may come to your mind is the iPhone 17, don't forget about Apple's more budget-friendly offering, the iPhone SE. It's heavily suggested that we'll be seeing the next iteration of Apple's budget-friendly iPhone SE in 2025, likely sometime in the first couple of months. While you may not be as interested in this compared to the flagship model, the iPhone SE 4 could be a very big deal for Apple. Recommended Videos The iPhone SE 4 should be a big upgrade So, why will the iPhone SE 4 be a big deal? First, let's review what to expect with Apple's budget offering. It has always been an amalgamation of an older chassis design but with a bump in internals from the original. The first iPhone SE in 2016 was what many considered the perfect "small" iPhone, sticking with the iPhone 5s body and design with the 4-inch screen while having similar specs to the iPhone 6s. The iPhone SE 2 and iPhone SE 3 that launched in 2020 and 2022, respectively, both had the body and design of the iPhone 8, but with improved internals. It looks like the iPhone SE 4 will finally be ditching the home button, marking the end of the classic hardware feature. The rumors show that the iPhone SE 4 will end up with a 6.1-inch display, with a possible upgrade from LCD to OLED. Since the home button will (likely) no longer be available, the iPhone SE 4 will almost certainly have a notch, but not the Dynamic Island. Other reports have also suggested that we might see an Action button on the iPhone SE 4, as well as USB-C charging. This may also be the first iPhone to use Apple's in-house 5G chip, which could result from Apple acquiring Intel's modem business back in 2019, taking years to develop. It will stick with the single-camera setup but bump that up to a 48-megapixel sensor from the old 12MP one. Most importantly, on the inside, rather than going with an older, outdated processor, Apple could be equipping the iPhone SE 4 with the A18 chip -- just like in the iPhone 16. That, friends, would be huge. Apple Intelligence for the masses When it comes to the AI game, Apple took its sweet time compared to the competition and, therefore, has been lagging. However, in some cases, being last is good, as Apple's Clean Up tool does better than Samsung or Google in our tests. Apple has taken an interesting approach to releasing Apple Intelligence with iOS 18. Though we initially expected it to launch alongside the iPhone 16 line, Apple took a more staggered rollout approach to the AI part of the software, instead beginning to release it with iOS 18.1 and beyond. However, there's another problem with Apple's staggered AI rollout: only so many iPhones can actually access Apple Intelligence -- specifically, only the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the iPhone 16 lineup are supported. Though you may be using one of these compatible iPhones, there are far more people out there who aren't but can get iOS 18 on their device. If the rumors are true, the iPhone SE 4 will be a big stepping stone to making Apple Intelligence available to more people. Those who have been holding onto older iPhones for a long time are probably more likely to simply upgrade to a new iPhone that's the most affordable and don't need the top-tier models. I haven't used a lot of Apple Intelligence features as I only have iOS 18.1 on my iPhone 16 Pro as of this writing. I don't really care to use AI for writing, but I have found Siri to be a bit more useful than before. And I love having the Clean Up tool available in the new Photos app. Honestly, Clean Up alone is worth having an iPhone with Apple Intelligence because everyone can benefit from it. No one likes having a bunch of strangers or trash on the ground in the background of their vacation photos. Having Clean Up would mean less requesting other people remove unwanted background objects in your photos. A very important iPhone When Apple released the iPhone SE 2, it was a great option for those who didn't need all the bells and whistles of the flagship iPhone. But the iPhone SE 3 seemed a bit lackluster compared to its predecessor. After all, at launch, it used a five-year-old design and didn't offer many upgrades besides adding 5G. I think Apple has a great opportunity with the iPhone SE 4 next year if the reports of what to expect are true. Lowering the price of admission (even if the iPhone SE will get a possible price increase) for Apple Intelligence would be an important move for Apple, considering that the competition doesn't limit AI features to just flagship models. Combine that with the other spec and design upgrades we're expecting, and the iPhone SE 4 could be one of 2025's most important smartphone releases.

Rumor roundup: iPhone SE 4 could be a low priced Apple Intelligence machine

Apple could finally be ready to reveal iPhone SE 4 in early 2025, and it may be the lowest-priced iPhone with access to Apple Intelligence. Here's what's rumored to be arriving soon. iPhone SE was last updated in 2022 with the third-generation model. It is the last iPhone with a Home Button, Touch ID, Lightning, and an LCD display. That all is expected to change with the iPhone SE 4, which is rumored to be modeled after the iPhone 14. While it will resemble that iPhone on its face, there will be a lot of modern alterations that'll make the iPhone SE 4 stand on its own. Apple is expected to offer only a single camera on the back with a flash module on the right side. Leaked cases show a horizontal cutout for the camera, which may mean it won't have a camera bump, but one lens jutting from the back. The Lightning port will likely be traded for a USB-C one, marking another difference from the iPhone 14. Some test units allegedly had an Action button, but discussions of its inclusion have fallen off and it likely isn't happening. Apple will attempt to reduce the overall cost by reusing components from iPhone 14, since it will have identical dimensions. For example, the battery could be reused for the iPhone SE 4. So far, all of this design information has been corroborated by AppleInsider from a reliable source. Apple's budget iPhone is meant to offer the bare-minimum iPhone experience without cutting too many corners. That means maintaining security, privacy, performance, and a great camera in a device capable of running modern features for years. The latest premium iPhone models like iPhone 16 offer multiple powerful cameras, the Dynamic Island, Action button, Camera button, and other features that define the product. Yet, Apple wants to sell a slimmed-down version of that, like how it sold an iPhone 8-like iPhone SE for years after the iPhone X debuted. So, the tough choice for Apple this time is what it cuts to get there in today's budget model. It seems like the answer is "not much" given the current rumors. Some suggest that Apple will make the single camera a 48MP one, placing it on par with the iPhone 15 Main Camera. That would make sense given Apple's emphasis on computational photography in recent years. MagSafe and Qi2 charging are a gimme considering the iPhone 14 design. USB-C charging is handy, but so is the range of peripherals enabled by the new port. Flip around to the front, and the iPhone SE 4 will look identical to the iPhone 14. The notch would house the Face ID components and selfie camera, and the display would be OLED instead of LCD. Outside of the camera, port, display, and design, there's not much else to speak of beyond the chipset in terms of customer experience. The biggest features will be determined by what A-series chip Apple will choose for the iPhone SE, and there appears to be only one option. Apple Intelligence is Apple's take on artificial intelligence, that is to say, large language models and generative tools. In order to run these on-device models, an iPhone needs at least the A17 Pro. Apple isn't about to use a "pro" chip in the budget iPhone SE, so that leaves the A18 that is offered in the iPhone 16 today. Yes, that means the iPhone SE could be on par performance-wise with the latest flagships, but would lack in enough other specs that Apple could consider it. It seems very unlikely that Apple would release any new product without access to Apple Intelligence, especially since the iPhone SE may not see another update until 2026 or later. There's always the chance that Apple could use a binned version of the A18. That would cut back on costs and take advantage of chips rejected for the iPhone 16. Apple Intelligence may not have produced the kind of super cycle analysts were expecting, but it is still an important feature set to support. The iPhone SE is competing more directly with budget Android phones that have access to Google Gemini and similar, so Apple can't afford not to have built-in AI in its budget smartphone. Aside from AI, using the A18 also ensures a longer life and support cycle for the iPhone SE 4. Since the device is more likely to be purchased by people looking to keep it longer, a new chipset is easier for Apple to support.