Apple's iPhone SE 4 could debut in February 2025. The fourth-generation iPhone SE is set to bring about a multitude of visual and functional changes taken from earlier iPhone models. Here's what to expect from Apple, as soon as next week. For the past two iterations, Apple's iPhone SE has maintained a dated look, with thick bezels and a Touch ID Home button that make it virtually indistinguishable from an iPhone 8. All of that is set to change quite soon, as the budget-friendly iPhone SE is going to receive its first major redesign in years.
Alongside its new design, the iPhone SE 4 will gain a variety of new hardware features, many of which are carry-overs from more recent iPhone models. With every iPhone release, however, it becomes difficult for the average person to know what to expect with the fourth-generation iPhone SE. To remedy the situation and provide our readers with insights about the upcoming device, AppleInsider has spoken to people familiar with internal designs and pre-production prototypes of the iPhone SE 4. The individuals we spoke to have provided countless details about the iPhone 16 range ahead of launch.
Leaving no stone unturned, however, we have also decided to provide an outline of everything rumored for the fourth-generation iPhone SE, even though many of the claims made about the device outright contradict each other. The rumor cycle of the iPhone SE 4 has been chaotic, more so than those of standard iPhone models. Initially, it was rumored to be a relatively straightforward update, derived largely from the design of the iPhone XR. Then it was suggested that Apple was testing its new in-house modem with the device, after which the project was supposedly canceled and subsequently brought back.
Here's everything we know about the iPhone SE 4 so far, and how the different rumors stack up against each other. Apple's next-generation budget-focused iPhone will receive a significant design refresh. Rather than resembling the massively outdated iPhone 8, the fourth-generation iPhone SE will feature a design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. In practice, this means that the iPhone SE 4 will have the same overall dimensions as the iPhone 14, with an aluminum housing made of the same alloy. This information comes from people familiar with the matter, who have spoken to AppleInsider and accurately revealed details about prior Apple hardware releases.
For the fourth-generation iPhone SE, Apple plans to use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis, with minor changes such as room for the USB-C port, replacing the previously-used Lightning. USB-C has been the standard connector for iPhones since the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, so its inclusion in the iPhone SE 4 is an obvious choice, as it ensures compliance with EU regulations. Given that the device is largely based on the existing, base model iPhone 14, the fourth-gen iPhone SE will gain an OLED panel and support for Face ID, both of which have never been available on the iPhone SE until now. Some pre-production prototypes also featured an Action button in place of the mute switch, though it is unclear if the final mass production units feature this change, as Apple tested multiple hardware configurations.
While all signs, including prototypes, point to the phone heavily resembling Apple's base model iPhone 14, that hasn't stopped unreliable leakers from claiming otherwise. Some have said the device will use a modified iPhone 16 chassis, and there's even a bizarre claim of an alleged "iPhone 16E" marketing name, which would seemingly phase out the iPhone SE branding. An unlikely scenario in any case.
With the introduction of a 6.1-inch OLED display, Apple will finally phase out Touch ID on the iPhone SE. As a replacement, the iPhone SE 4 will feature a more modern form of biometric identification, known as Face ID. This information comes from people familiar with Apple's pre-production designs and prototypes. The fourth-generation iPhone SE will most likely feature a notch near the top of the display, where the TrueDepth Camera and associated Face ID sensors are located. This will give the device a look similar to the standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 13, with a smaller notch compared to the iPhone 12.
Unlike the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, the new-and-improved iPhone SE is not getting Dynamic Island. Apple wants to make its low-end iPhone visually distinct from its flagship models, while also saving on further development costs by re-using iPhone 14 components and designs. Though some have claimed the iPhone SE 4 will indeed ship with Dynamic Island, the overall consensus is that the device will feature a notch. The people we spoke to, along with reliable leakers, and multiple different dummy units all suggest that Apple's budget-oriented phone will be equipped with a notch rather than Dynamic Island.
