The iPhone 16 series has already impressed with its all-around performance, offering a sleek design, powerful processor, AI-powered features, and improved camera capabilities without the hefty price tag of the Pro models. However, whispers are circulating about an even bigger surprise: the 2025 iPhone SE 4.
According to 9to5Mac, citing an anonymous source, the next iPhone SE will be the first to feature Apple’s own 5G modem. This move makes sense, as the affordable SE model is a great platform for testing new technologies before implementing them in the flagship iPhones. But the leaks don’t stop there.
The report confirms previous claims from Bloomberg that the 2025 iPhone SE will adopt a design reminiscent of the iPhone 14. This includes an OLED display with a resolution of 1170 x 2532 pixels, a significant upgrade from the LCD panels found on previous SE models. The screen size will jump from 4.7 inches to a more spacious 6.1 inches, featuring a notch at the top and flat edges.
Internally, the iPhone SE 4 is expected to boast the new A18 processor and 8GB RAM, matching the performance of the iPhone 16. This is a major leap forward, as even the iPhone 15 and its Plus variant were excluded from Apple’s AI-powered features.
The camera is another area where the iPhone SE 4 is anticipated to shine. The current third-gen model features a 12-megapixel camera, but the upcoming SE will be equipped with the iPhone 16’s 48MP Fusion camera. While specifics regarding additional camera upgrades remain under wraps, the combination of a powerful 48MP sensor and the A18’s image signal processor suggests that the iPhone SE 4 could offer features like sensor-shift optical image stabilization, Photonic Engine, night mode, improved portraits, and more. Furthermore, if the iPhone 16 is any indication, we could also expect video-centric enhancements like cinematic mode and audio mixing.
The integrated 5G modem is expected to contribute to improved battery life, especially when using the phone’s low power mode. This, combined with the larger footprint, points towards a significant boost in battery capacity.
With all these impressive upgrades, it’s no surprise that the iPhone SE 4 will likely come with a price increase. The third-gen iPhone SE already experienced a 5G price hike, despite lacking major hardware improvements. Considering the extensive upgrades expected for the 2025 model, a price tag of $500 or even $549 seems likely.
We will learn more about the iPhone SE 4 early next year when Apple is set to officially unveil it, alongside a fresh lineup of Mac computers. The anticipation is high, as the 2025 iPhone SE is poised to challenge the expectations of affordable smartphones and shake up the market with its powerful features and competitive price.
