When Apple launched the iPhone 16 in September, it continued to promote the 14, 15, and SE 3 fashions at decrease costs. As normal, this gave prospects on extra restricted budgets the flexibleness to select between 5 most important iterations (counting the Plus variants) with three completely different sizes and a blended assortment of technical specs.
Nevertheless, whereas none of those iPhones are dangerous telephones, it couldn’t be a worse potential time to get one in all them—whilst a present. And, when you bought one, you could wish to take it again earlier than the vacation return window closes. As a result of the iPhone SE 4 can be higher than all of them.
Nothing particular
The iPhone SE line has lengthy been in want of an replace as a consequence of its outdated design. Whereas higher-end iPhones have lengthy moved on and adopted extra trendy appearances, the SE continues to persist in a bygone period. That’s about to alter in a number of months.
Credible leaks have lengthy indicated that the iPhone SE 4, which is because of arrive this spring, will lastly retire the basic chassis in favor of a contemporary look that adopts one thing just like the iPhone 14. So, in just some months, we may very well be bidding the prehistoric 4.7-inch LCD with thick bezels and a bodily Dwelling button farewell—as soon as and for all. The entrance facet would as a substitute undertake an edge-to-edge, 6.1-inch OLED panel with a notch. This is able to lastly present iPhone SE customers with an immersive display that includes the next pixel decision, true black ranges, and sleeker bezels. It may additionally supply a 48MO rear digicam and a TrueDepth entrance digicam with Face ID—all lightyears higher than the present SE you simply bought.
Plus it’s nonetheless bought a Lightning port, as does the iPhone 14. So, ready for an iPhone SE 4 would spare you from carrying round a devoted Lightning cable—assuming your different devices cost by way of USB-C.
The iPhone SE and iPhone 14 nonetheless have Lightning ports, which implies it’s a must to carry an extra cable.
Foundry
Trying to find Apple Intelligence
From afar, the iPhone 14 and 15 could look extra superior than even the upcoming SE 4. In spite of everything, they pack twin rear digicam methods, and the 2023 fashions boast the futuristic Dynamic Island. In the meantime, 2025’s finances launch will doubtless miss out on each options. Regardless of that, a better have a look at the finances cellphone’s rumored internals suggests it’ll outperform the aforementioned iPhones.
Nevertheless, the iPhone SE 4 will doubtless pack both the iPhone 16’s base A18 chipset or the iPhone 17 Professional, that includes 6 CPU cores, 5 GPU cores, 16 Neural Engine cores, and 8GB of RAM. This is able to allow it to run a few of the demanding cellular video games that solely run on newer units. Past its snappier Safari, the iPhone SE 4 will likely obtain software program updates for an extended interval than the 14 and 15 fashions.
Extra importantly, although, it could unlock the intensive Apple Intelligence suite that isn’t accessible on the iPhone 14 or 15. Apple Intelligence goes to be a centerpiece of the Apple ecosystem for years to return, so that you’re going to need a cellphone that helps it.
Apple Intelligence may not be vital now, however will probably be on the forefront of Apple’s ecosystem for years to return.
Foundry
Flagship high quality at a reduction
The iPhone SE 4 received’t have each characteristic you’re getting along with your iPhone 15 and even the 14. Essentially the most outstanding absentee will doubtlessly be the ultra-wide rear lens accessible on the iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 15, and 15 Plus. The iPhone SE 4 may equally be restricted to a single 6.1-inch possibility, whereas the flagships from 2022 and 2023 supply bigger 6.7-inch Plus editions. In any other case, the ultimate notable omission can be the Dynamic Island cutout accessible on the iPhone 15.
Regardless of these drawbacks, the iPhone SE 4 will nonetheless be a greater finances decide. Certain, the Dynamic Island is sweet to have, however you’ll nonetheless be capable of entry Reside Actions by way of the Notification Heart and Lock Display. And, despite the fact that the digicam and dimension limitations could irritate sure prospects, the iPhone SE 4 can be leaps forward of its predecessor.
Face ID is coming no less than the iPhone SE, making it safer and handy.
Foundry
Switching from a 4.7-inch, thick-bezel LCD to a 6.1-inch, edge-to-edge OLED will considerably improve the iPhone SE 4’s video-watching and app-scrolling expertise. Comparably, upgrading the traditional rear digicam from 12MP to 48MP will unlock crisper photographs and 2x zoom that don’t fully wreck the outputted images’ decision.
The iPhone SE 4 would be the first iPhone to supply each a design that matches our trendy occasions and a flagship processor that helps the entire related iOS options. And, for the primary time, iPhone customers will get to expertise Apple Intelligence—doubtless for lower than $500. It’s even potential Apple will discontinue the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus altogether since paying $100 extra for the same iPhone that lacks Apple Intelligence and USB-C isn’t the very best deal.
The iPhone SE 4 is shaping as much as be an actual menace to midrange Android telephones and Apple’s present lineup. Based mostly on the leaks, Apple seems to have addressed all the present SE’s flaws and constructed a cellphone that’s excellent for any person on a finances. So when you simply bought one in all Apple’s cheaper telephones, go field it up and return it, as a result of one thing higher is coming quickly.
