iPhone SE4 is likely to launch soon and here are 5 big upgrades we are expecting

Apple is expected to unveil its iPhone SE 4 in early 2025, promising to be the most affordable yet feature-rich model in the SE lineup.

In Short

• The new iPhone SE is anticipated to house an A 18 series chip
• The iPhone SE 4 is also likely to get a 48 megapixel camera
• The pricing is also likely to remain similar to the iPhone SE 3

Are you planning to buy a new iPhone to experience iOS but have a tight budget? One way to enter the Apple ecosystem is by purchasing older iPhones at a discount. However, if you don’t want to compromise with an older model and still want to stay on budget, there’s something exciting coming for Apple fans likely in 2025. Apple is expected to release its fourth-generation iPhone SE in early 2025, and if rumours are to be believed, it could be the most affordable yet capable iPhone, offering some flagship-level features.

Industry experts, including Ming-Chi Kuo, suggest that Apple might start production of the iPhone SE 4 as soon as December 2024. If this timeline holds, the SE 4 could reach shelves by March or April next year, making it a compelling option in the competitive mid-range market. Given that the last affordable iPhone SE 3 was launched in 2022, Apple is also said to give the new iPhone SE significant upgrades like A 18 series chip, 48 megapixel camera and more.

Here are five major improvements anticipated for the iPhone SE 4 compared to its predecessor, the iPhone SE 3, which was launched in 2022.

Design tweaks with a larger display

One of the biggest changes in the new iPhone SE is a full redesign, inspired by the iPhone 14’s aesthetics. Apple is expected to eliminate the thick bezels and physical home button that have characterised previous SE models. Instead, the SE 4 will likely adopt a sleeker look with a 6.1-inch OLED display—a significant upgrade from the SE 3’s smaller 4.7-inch LCD screen. With this design shift, the SE 4 is also expected to feature Face ID, aligning more closely with Apple’s privacy offerings in its flagship models.

A18 series chipset

Under the hood, Apple is expected to equip the SE 4 with the A18 chipset, from the same powerful series as the flagship iPhone 16 models. Including the A18 chip would give the SE 4 improved processing power for everyday tasks, better gaming experiences, and faster app loading times. Along with the A18 chip, the SE 4 is also rumoured to come with 8GB of RAM—double the amount in the SE 3. This boost in memory may also enable Apple to support Apple Intelligence on the SE 4, making it the most affordable iPhone to access Apple’s latest suite of AI features.

Camera with a 48 megapixel sensor

Another highly anticipated upgrade for the iPhone SE 4 is the camera. Instead of the SE 3’s 12-megapixel lens, the SE 4 may boast a 48-megapixel rear camera. While it may lack the multi-lens setup of Apple’s high-end iPhones, this single 48MP sensor could deliver impressive image quality, enhanced by Apple’s computational photography software. Features like Smart HDR and Night Mode are likely to be included, and on the front, a 12-megapixel camera is expected for better selfies and video calls.

Bigger battery with USB-C support

Battery life is often a concern for iPhone SE users, and Apple is rumoured to address this in the SE 4 with a larger 3,279mAh battery, a significant jump from the SE 3’s 2,018mAh capacity. Fast-charging capabilities will reportedly remain at 20W, and Apple may introduce MagSafe support for the SE line, adding convenience and compatibility with various accessories. USB-C charging is also expected, in line with Apple’s recent shift toward universal connectors.

Competitive pricing

While as far as the specifications of iPhone SE 4 they look compelling, however, iPhone SE 4’s main attraction will likely be its price. In the U.S., the SE 4 is expected to be priced between $499 and $549, up from the SE 3’s $429 starting price. In India, pricing may start around Rs 45,000, somewhat in the same range to the SE 3’s launch price of Rs 43,999 in 2022. We are expecting a similar price given that Apple has been maintaining a similar pricing strategy for flagships like iphone 12 and iPhone 16 got similar price range. So, if this strategy remains the same for the affordable SE 4, then, it could be a game-changer in the Indian market, offering stiff competition to many Android phones. At this price, it would provide new iPhone users a budget-friendly way to experience Apple’s ecosystem and the latest iOS features.