Will iPhone SE 4 launch in 2025? Here's everything we know so far

Apple is hard at work on the next iteration of the iPhone SE, and it looks like some significant changes are on the way. The upcoming iPhone SE 4 is expected to feature a larger size, the removal of Touch ID, and support for Apple Intelligence. Here's a roundup of all the rumors circulating about the new device.

Design

The current third-generation iPhone SE is Apple's smallest device, modeled after the iPhone 8 with its 4.7-inch screen. It's the only iPhone with thick bezels and a Touch ID Home button. However, the next iPhone SE is rumored to undergo a major redesign. The fourth-generation iPhone SE will have an all-display design similar to Apple's flagship models, eliminating the Touch ID Home button in favor of Face ID. The display is expected to measure 6.06 inches, making it significantly larger than the current model.

The iPhone SE 4 will likely resemble the iPhone 14, featuring a notch with Face ID biometric authentication. Following the iPhone 15 lineup's shift from Lightning to USB-C, the iPhone SE 4 is also expected to adopt a USB-C port. While the iPhone 14 has a dual-lens camera, the iPhone SE 4 will stick with a single-lens camera to keep costs down, possibly using the 48-megapixel main lens from the iPhone 15.

There are also rumors that Apple might add a multi-function Action button to the iPhone SE, replacing the mute switch. This button first appeared on the iPhone 15 Pro models and was included in all iPhone 16 models. However, a recent case leak did not show a cutout for this button on the iPhone SE 4.

Display Size and Material

If the new iPhone SE follows the iPhone 14's design, it will feature a 6.1-inch OLED display. This would mark a significant shift, as the current iPhone SE is the last in Apple's lineup to use an LCD display. Apple has used OLED technology for its flagship iPhones since the iPhone 12, and it looks like the iPhone SE 4 will also adopt this superior display technology.

Notch

With an all-display design, the iPhone SE 4 is expected to have a notch, a design element Apple has used for its flagship iPhones since the 2017 iPhone XR. This notch will house the front-facing camera, but it remains unclear if the iPhone SE will include Face ID and the TrueDepth camera system, given the cost. While flagship models now feature the Dynamic Island, the iPhone SE will likely retain the older notch design.

There is a less credible rumor suggesting the iPhone SE might feature the Dynamic Island instead of a notch, but most sources point to an iPhone 14-style design.

Camera

The iPhone SE 4 is expected to have a single-lens rear camera, but it will be upgraded to a 48-megapixel sensor, compared to the current 12-megapixel camera.

Renders

CAD renders of the iPhone SE 4 support the rumors of an iPhone 14-style design. These renders show a device with a 6.1-inch display, a standard Face ID notch, flat edges, and a USB-C port. The back of the device features a single-lens camera.

A-Series Chip and RAM

The iPhone SE 4 is expected to come with the A18 chip from the iPhone 16, enabling it to support Apple Intelligence features. It will also likely have 8GB of RAM, meeting the minimum requirement for these features.

5G and Modem

The iPhone SE 4 might be the first device to use an Apple-designed 5G chip, part of Apple's efforts to reduce reliance on Qualcomm.

Battery

The iPhone SE 4 will use the same 3279 mAh battery as the iPhone 14, suggesting similar battery life.

Cost

Despite the upgrades from Touch ID to Face ID, the iPhone SE 4 is expected to remain more affordable than other models. It could start at $429, the same as the current iPhone SE, or see a slight increase of around 10 percent, keeping the price below $500.

Release Date

Current rumors suggest the iPhone SE 4 will launch in 2025, with no update to the SE lineup expected in 2024. Production could begin as early as October, with a launch planned for early 2025.