Apple is working on an updated version of the budget iPhone SE, and the new device is expected to include some major changes to make it suitable for the flagship iPhone lineup. The new “iPhone SE” isn’t expected to arrive until 2024, but we’ve already heard the rumors, so we’ve gathered all the information in one handy guide.

Design

The current third generation “iPhone SE” is Apple’s smallest device modeled after the “iPhone” 8. It measures 4.7 inches and is the only “iPhone” with thick bezels and a Touch ID home button. That will change with the next “iPhone SE” update and Apple is said to be planning a new design. The fourth-generation “iPhone SE” will feature a full-screen design like Apple’s flagship series, and Apple will abandon the Home button in favor of a different authentication method.

Leaker John Prosser suggested that the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 might resemble 2018’s ‌iPhone‌ XR, which is a device with rounded edges rather than the boxy look of current iPhones. Earlier versions of the “iPhone SE” were modeled after previous iPhone models, so the assumption is logical. The original “iPhone SE” was based on the “iPhone” 5s, while the second and third generation versions were similar to the “iPhone” 8. It modeled the ‌iPhone SE‌ after the iPhone 12 and later, giving the company a more modern look. have been using it for the last few years.

Screen size

The ‌iPhone‌ XR has a 6.1-inch display, and numerous rumors suggest that Apple is considering a 5.7-6.1-inch display for the device. Prosser and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believe Apple will use a 6.1-inch display, while screen analyst Ross Young believes Apple is considering both 5.7-inch and 6.1-inch screen options for the next “iPhone SE”. Yang said that Apple has not yet finalized its plans for the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4, so both options are still possible.

demonstration material

The “iPhone SE” will be the last “iPhone” with an LCD screen, while other iPhones in the Apple lineup feature OLED. In fact, Apple has used all OLED technology for its flagship iPhones since the “iPhone 12”. It is not yet clear whether Apple will use LCD or OLED technology for the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4, and Yang says both are possible. Apple is considering 5.7-6.1-inch LCD displays alongside 6.1-inch OLED displays from two suppliers. The “iPhone SE” is much more affordable than other iPhones, and the cost of OLED may cause Apple to use an LCD screen instead, but OLED prices may have dropped enough for Apple to switch to OLED for the next “iPhone SE”.

Notch

With Apple’s full-screen design, it’s expected to adopt a notch for the ‌iPhone SE‌, the design Apple has used for flagship iPhones since 2017’s ‌iPhone‌ XR. The notched display will give Apple room for a front-facing camera, but given the hardware cost, it’s unclear whether the iPhone SE will support Face ID and TrueDepth camera system. When the “iPhone SE” comes out, the flagship “iPhone” series will have completely switched to Dynamic Island, so the old notch design will make the “iPhone SE” different.

Touch ID or Face ID?

Apple is giving up on ‌Face ID‌ and the ‌iPhone SE‌ is the latest ‌iPhone‌ with ‌Touch ID‌. Since ‌Face ID‌ has been around since 2017, Apple may choose it for the next generation ‌iPhone SE‌. Information from my drivers and Apple analyst ‌Ming-Chi Kuo‌ states that the ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 may have a ‌Touch ID‌ power button similar to the iPad Air, iPad, and iPad mini. This technology has not yet been used on an “iPhone”, but the “Touch ID” power button could cut costs and differentiate the “iPhone SE” from flagship iPhones.

A serial chip

The current ‌iPhone SE‌ is equipped with the same A15 chip found in the iPhone 13 models, so the ‌iPhone SE‌ may receive the previous generation chip when it launches. Coming in 2024, it will be available the same year as the ‌iPhone‌ 16 series and one year after the iPhone 15. The standard ‌iPhone 15‌ models are expected to use the A16 over the iPhone 14 Pro models, so there’s a good chance that a good ‌iPhone SE‌ 4 will have an A16 chip.

5G

The current ‌iPhone SE‌ is equipped with 5G technology, and the next-gen version is likely to get an updated 5G chip with support for more bands.

Release date

According to rumors, the ‌iPhone SE‌ will be released in 2024 without a scheduled lineup update for 2023.