TECH

iPhone SE 4: All that we know about Apple's upcoming budget iPhone

There is no denying that a sizeable chunk of iOS enthusiasts would gladly splurge on a feature-rich iPhone SE and save a few hundred bucks, instead of splurging $1000+ on the company's high-end offerings that offer questionable value for budget-conscious buyers. If the plethora of rumors circulating on the interwebs are anything to go by, the upcoming Apple iPhone SE 4 sure looks poised to deliver commendable value. Considering that we are less than a week from the device's likely introduction, it's the perfect time for a deep dive into all the tidbits we have gathered so far.

Design, display, and exterior: Farewell to compact charm...The original Apple iPhone SE was famously marketed as a device for people who appreciate compact smartphones. The iPhone SE rocked a 4.0-inch display, whereas the then-flagship, the iPhone 6, rocked a 4.7-inch display. The iPhone SE 2 and 3 carried on this tradition, sporting a 4.7-inch display alongside the 6.1-inch iPhone 11 and iPhone 13. However, the iPhone SE 4 is expected to boast the same chassis as the iPhone 13, with a 6.1-inch OLED display. Undoubtedly, this will be a huge disappointment for those who prefer compact smartphones, since Apple has seemingly given up on the 'mini' iPhone for good.

Moreover, the Apple iPhone SE 4 will also mark the end of TouchID on iPhones, thanks to its rumored adoption of the arguably superior FaceID authentication system. With the iPhone SE, USB-C will finally become standard across the iPhone lineup, although the budget iPhone will miss out on the capture and action buttons that its pricier siblings flaunt. MagSafe support should be present as well, but that remains to be seen. On the rear, the iPhone SE 4 will sport a single camera - characteristic of the SE family.

Cameras: Single shooter at the back, TrueDepth at the front...As mentioned, the iPhone SE 4 will sport a single rear-camera. While that may seem somewhat disappointing at first, it is expected to boast a 48 MP sensor - the same as the iPhone 16. We don't have any further details regarding the camera, but going by Apple's track record, it should be a fairly performant unit. At the front, a TrueDepth camera will sit atop the display, powering FaceID support.

Internal specifications: Affordable powerhouse?...At its core, the Apple iPhone SE 4 will most likely be powered by the A18 SoC. This is to be expected, considering that iPhone SEs have always inherited the latest flagship chipset. The system will boast 8 GB of memory, which is necessary to power Apple Intelligence support. Interestingly, Apple is widely expected to introduce its first-ever in-house modem with the iPhone SE, reducing its hardware dependence on external sources in classic Apple fashion. Rumors indicate that the modem will not support mmWave 5G, which makes sense for an affordable device.

All told, the iPhone SE 4 is certainly sizing up to be quite an impressive smartphone - that is, contingent on Apple managing to price it appropriately. If the claims made by the rumor mill hold water, a price bump is likely in order. Apple is likely to price the iPhone SE 4 below or at the $499 mark, which would give the device a decent value proposition to sway value-conscious customers in its favor.

The Apple iPhone SE 4 is very likely to launch on February 19th, probably through a press release. Some speculate that Apple is also likely to introduce new AirTags and budget iPads alongside the new iPhone SE, but that remains to be seen.

mundophone