iPhone SE 4 release date expectations, price estimates, and upgrades
What we know so far
Unlike the standard iPhones, which get annual updates like clockwork, the SE series follows a more unpredictable release schedule. Many fans were hoping to catch a glimpse of the iPhone SE 4 at Apple’s recent “It’s Glowtime” event during the unveiling of the iPhone 16 series, but Tim Cook and the team stayed tight-lipped about it.
So, as of now, Apple's plans for the iPhone SE 4 remain unclear, but there is a strong possibility it could make its debut in March 2025. So, if you are eager for the iPhone SE 4 (2025), it looks like you will have to hold on a bit longer.
With smartphone prices on the rise, the iPhone SE 4 is expected to come with a higher price tag than its predecessor. However, that bump might be worth it. We are expecting upgrades like a better camera system, a design that aligns more with the sleek iPhone 14, and improved display specs.
But that's not all — the phone could feature the powerful A18 chipset and 8 GB of RAM, which would likely enable support for Apple Intelligence.
The iPhone SE 4 is also rumored to get a major battery boost, with a capacity that could be nearly double what its predecessor has. This upgrade would likely result in significantly longer usage times, giving users more power throughout the day.
We have gathered all the available information about the iPhone SE 4 here in one place. However, keep in mind that these details could change. We won't have the complete picture until the iPhone SE 4 officially launches.
Jump to section:
- iPhone SE 4 release date
- iPhone SE 4 price and deals
- iPhone SE 4 camera
- iPhone SE 4 storage
- iPhone SE 4 design
- iPhone SE 4 display
- iPhone SE 4 battery
- iPhone SE 4 features and software
- iPhone SE 4 hardware
- Preliminary comparisons
- Should I wait for the iPhone SE 4?
iPhone SE 4 release date
The next-gen iPhone SE 4 is expected to make its debut in March 2025. Apple usually launches its budget smartphone in the spring, during its first event of the year. Multiple sources suggest that early 2025 is the target release window, so next spring seems like the perfect time.
Mark Gurman, a trusted Apple insider, recently mentioned that Apple is nearing the start of production for the new iPhone SE, codenamed V59. With this in mind, a March 2025 release indeed looks like the most probable outcome. Plus, an even more recent leak also pointed to March as the likely month for the unveiling, with another one further confirming this prediction.
| Model | Release Date |
|---|---|
| iPhone SE (1st generation) | March 31, 2016 |
| iPhone SE (2nd generation) | April 24, 2020 |
| iPhone SE (3rd generation) | March 18, 2022 |
| iPhone SE (4th generation) | March, 2025* |
* - probable dates
As shown in the table above, the iPhone SE doesn’t follow the usual iPhone release cycle. With only three versions so far, its launch pattern remains somewhat unpredictable. The gap between each generation has ranged from 2 to 4 years, so there’s no consistent timeline. One thing we can be certain of, though, is that the iPhone SE 4 won’t launch alongside the regular iPhone models.
iPhone SE 4 price and deals
The upcoming iPhone SE 4 is expected to be priced between $450 and $500, though with the rumored major upgrades, it wouldn't be shocking if the price creeps higher. In fact, popular tipster Ice Universe predicts the price could range from $499 to $549.
Another leak has also suggested a similar price point, with the iPhone SE 4 potentially landing around $499. With multiple sources hinting at a price bump, it’s increasingly likely that the new model will come with a higher price tag.
That said, to stay competitive in the mid-range market, Apple will need to be careful not to push the price too high.
Another leak has also suggested a similar price point, with the iPhone SE 4 potentially landing around $499. With multiple sources hinting at a price bump, it’s increasingly likely that the new model will come with a higher price tag.
That said, to stay competitive in the mid-range market, Apple will need to be careful not to push the price too high.
| Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| iPhone SE (1st. generation) | $399 |
| iPhone SE (2nd. generation) | $399 |
| iPhone SE (3rd. generation) | $429 |
| iPhone SE (4th. generation) | $499* |
* - anticipated prices
While the exact price of the iPhone SE 4 (2025) is still unknown, you can bet there will be deals once it hits the market. If the offers for the iPhone SE 3 are anything to go by, Apple, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile will likely offer similar promotions and discounts when the new model launches.
- Apple: The company has a trade-in program where you can save anywhere from $40 to $650, depending on what device you're trading in. If you have an Apple Card, you can also take advantage of 0% APR monthly payments and earn 3% Daily Cash back on the purchase of a new phone.
- Verizon: The carrier might offer the iPhone SE 4 for free with certain plans. Of course, you'll still need to pay for the required plan. For example, right now, you can get the current iPhone SE at no cost if you sign up for an Unlimited plan over 36 months.
- T-Mobile: It will likely roll out a similar deal as with the current iPhone SE model. Using the T-Mobile Equipment Installment Plan, existing customers can bundle the cost of the iPhone and their rate plan into one monthly bill. Plus, the new iPhone will come unlocked, meaning you can switch to any carrier that supports iPhones.
- AT&T:AT&T has similar deals to other carriers, where both new and existing customers can pay for an iPhone and their rate plan on one monthly bill. It also offers up to $214 in bill credits when you buy an iPhone SE, and if you trade in a device with Apple, you'll receive an instant trade-in credit.
iPhone SE 4 camera
The iPhone SE has traditionally lacked a standout camera. As a budget-friendly option, one of its main drawbacks has consistently been its inferior camera quality. Reports suggest that this time around it will again feature a single rear camera, similar to previous iPhone SE models.
For quite some time now, rumors are hinting that the iPhone SE 4 (2025) might come with a single 48 MP rear camera, and this has recently been confirmed by another source. If indeed accurate, this would be a major upgrade from the 12 MP rear camera on the previous model. And you know, when multiple sources are saying the same thing, it’s usually a good sign that it’s true.
The iPhone SE 4 is likely to come with:
- Main (wide) – 48 MP (up from 12 MP on the SE 3)
- Front – 12 MP (compared to 7 MP on the SE 3)
If you want to explore all the rumored camera details in depth, be sure to check out our dedicated article on the iPhone SE 4 camera.
iPhone SE 4 storage
Storage has always been a tricky area with Apple, but a recent leak points to some promising upgrades for the iPhone SE 4. It’s expected to come with 8 GB of RAM and start at 128 GB of storage – a significant upgrade from the previous generation.
With 8 GB of RAM, the iPhone SE 4 could also support Apple Intelligence, which would be a nice perk for Apple’s budget-friendly model.
Expected storage options for the iPhone SE 4:
- 128 GB
- 256 GB
- 512 GB
iPhone SE 4 design
Here’s where things get interesting: It looks like the iPhone SE 4 might borrow its design from the iPhone 14. Yep, you heard that right – it could feature the same body, but with a single camera. A leak from reliable tipster Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that the iPhone SE 4 will be "a minor modification of the 6.1-inch iPhone 14."
This claim is getting some backup, with several rumors pointing to the iPhone SE 4 being based on the iPhone 14. Plus, leaked CAD renders from early 2024 show just how similar the iPhone SE 4’s design is to the iPhone 14.
This claim is getting some backup, with several rumors pointing to the iPhone SE 4 being based on the iPhone 14. Plus, leaked CAD renders from early 2024 show just how similar the iPhone SE 4’s design is to the iPhone 14.
This theory gets a boost from none other than Apple insider Mark Gurman, too. On top of that, not long ago, another rumor has popped up, reinforcing the idea that the iPhone SE 4 might take design cues from the iPhone 14. But here’s the twist: this rumor also mentions the possibility of an iPhone SE 4 Plus, which could come with a larger 6.5-inch display. While this idea seems a bit out there, you can still see the dummy units for both the iPhone SE 4 and the potential Plus model below.
Dummy models for the iPhone SE 4 and the iPhone SE 4 Plus. | Image credit – Macotakara
We will have to hold tight a bit longer to see whether Apple decided to draw inspiration from the iPhone 14 or not. But regardless of that, you are probably wondering about the color choices, too and here is what we are expecting for the iPhone SE 4:
- Blue
- Purple/Pink
- Green/Yellow
- Starlight/White
- Midnight/Black
- Product RED
If you are looking for more details on the expected color options for the upcoming iPhone SE 4, feel free to check out our full article dedicated to the iPhone SE 4 colors.
iPhone SE 4 display
With the new design, could also come a new screen size. According to Ross Young, a well-known and trusted display analyst, the iPhone SE 4 could sport a 6.1-inch display with a notch, which is not surprising, considering it might be based on the iPhone 14.
Additionally, reports indicate that the iPhone SE could use the panel of the iPhone 13, which could make the former the first device in the lineup's history to feature an OLED screen.
Recent rumors also hint that the iPhone SE 4 will feature an OLED screen. Backing this up, a report from early September claimed that the iPhone SE 4 could be the last model in Apple's transition to OLED displays for its iPhones. So, it looks like an OLED display could very well be on the horizon.
However, regardless of which display technology Apple finally opts for, the iPhone SE 4 will almost certainly not be featuring ProMotion (i.e. adaptive 120Hz refresh rate).
iPhone SE 4 battery
The iPhone SE 4 is rumored to adopt the same battery as the base model iPhone 14, with leaked prototypes featuring lithium-ion batteries (A2863) used in previous Apple models. Internal documents have confirmed this change, showing an increase in capacity from 2018 mAh in the iPhone SE 3 to 3279 mAh in the upcoming iPhone SE 4.
This A2863 battery brings a substantial boost of over 1250 mAh compared to the third-gen iPhone SE, potentially delivering longer battery life. This move (using the same battery as ones found in older devices) aligns with Apple's pattern, as the second-gen iPhone SE also shared its battery with the older iPhone 8.
Plus, the iPhone SE 4 could ditch the Lightning port in favor of a USB-C port. This seems pretty likely, considering Apple has already made the switch to USB-C for all its newer devices.
If you are interested in diving deeper into all the rumored battery details, check out our dedicated article on the iPhone SE 4 battery and charging.
iPhone SE 4 features and software
The iPhone SE 4 might mark the definitive end of the Home button era. This suggests that Apple may need to explore alternative methods for implementing biometric authentication in its new budget smartphone.
With the "notch" Apple could give the iPhone SE 4 Face ID, which is actually supported by rumors. And not only but it is also rumored that Apple would add an Action button, which replaced the ring/silent switch on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The iPhone SE 4 will certainly ship with the latest iOS version upon its release. Currently, iOS 18 is the publicly available version. Therefore, if the iPhone SE 4 indeed debuts in March 2025, it will come pre-installed with iOS 18 at the very least.
With iOS 18 on board, paired with rumored storage and RAM upgrades and the A18 chipset, Apple Intelligence is likely to make its way to the iPhone SE 4. This could unlock a range of AI-powered features, including:
- A revamped Siri, smarter and more conversational than ever.
- Intelligent Search in Safari, highlighting key topics and summarizing web pages for quick insights.
- Smart Replies in the Mail app for faster, context-aware responses.
- Enhanced AI tools in Messages for a smoother chat experience.
- A Photos feature that lets you remove unwanted objects from your images with AI precision.
- Summaries of the most important and relevant info across apps.
iPhone SE 4 hardware
The iPhone SE 4 is highly likely to feature the A18 processor, the same one powering the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. If this happens, it could mean the SE 4 will match the regular iPhone 16 in terms of speed and performance.
On top of that, there is buzz that the iPhone SE 4 might be the first to feature Apple's own 5G modem chip. This would be a significant leap toward the company's goal of achieving greater technological independence.
Preliminary comparisons
Now that we’ve got a clearer idea of what the iPhone SE 4 might bring, we can start comparing it to existing iPhones and other phones in its price range to see how it could measure up.
Should you wait for the iPhone SE 4?
- You should wait for the iPhone SE 4 if you are after an Apple smartphone without breaking the bank. The iPhone SE 4 might just be worth waiting a few more months. With rumors hinting at design upgrades, better cameras, Apple's new AI features, increased storage and a competitive price, it looks like this more budget-friendly option could deliver plenty of value.
- You should not wait for the iPhone SE 4 if you are currently in the market for a smartphone. The iPhone SE 4 might be a promising upgrade, but it’s still a few months out. And if top-notch camera performance is a priority, you might want to explore a flagship iPhone – even an older model if you’re working with a tighter budget.
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