Apple’s budget iPhone SE is getting an overhaul with a fourth-generation model expected to launch in spring 2025. The upcoming model will mark a significant departure from previous models, inheriting several features from higher-end iPhones while maintaining its position as the most affordable new model in Apple’s lineup.

According to recent reports, the iPhone SE 4 will have a design reminiscent of the iPhone 14 with a larger 6.1-inch OLED display. This represents a significant increase over the current model’s 4.7-inch LCD display and brings the SE series in line with Apple’s flagship devices in terms of display technology.

The switch to OLED is part of Apple’s broader strategy to phase out LCD displays in its iPhone lineup. This change will affect long-standing suppliers such as Japan Display and Sharp, which mainly supplied LCD panels for previous SE models.

In terms of performance, the iPhone SE 4 is said to be powered by the A18 chip that was introduced in the iPhone 16 series last month. The device is also expected to switch from Touch ID to Face ID, marking the end of the road for the physical home button on the iPhone. Other important updates include:

• The USB-C port replaces the Lightning connector.
• The action button is a feature introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro.
• A 5G modem developed by Apple.
• 48-megapixel rear camera compared to the existing 12-megapixel sensor.
• 8 GB RAM, which is twice the current model’s 4 GB.

The increase in RAM is particularly important because it will allow the iPhone SE 4 to support Apple Intelligence, the company’s suite of artificial intelligence features that is expected to debut with the release of iOS 18.1 later this month. This inclusion will make the SE 4 the most affordable iPhone with these advanced AI features (which last year’s standard iPhone 15 models couldn’t).

Despite these significant updates, Apple’s iPhone SE is expected to maintain its position as the budget option. Mark Gurman Bloomberg suggests that the device will likely be priced between $400 and $500, like previous models.

As for timing, many sources, including Gurme and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, point to a spring 2025 release. Considering that all previous iPhone SE models were announced in March, a March 2025 release seems very likely. Apple’s suppliers are reportedly preparing to begin mass production this October, paving the way for an early 2025 launch.