5 Major Changes I Expect for the Apple iPhone SE 4

Apple is widely expected to announce a new version of the iPhone SE on Wednesday, February 19. Starting at $429, the current iPhone SE is Apple’s least expensive handset—and it hasn’t been updated since March 2022. With a new model practically here, I’ve gathered all the rumors and leaks to create a list of the five major upgrades I expect to see, in no particular order.

1. A Modern, Edge-to-Edge Display

Reports suggest the iPhone SE 4 will undergo a total redesign to align with the rest of the iPhone lineup. This entails ditching the large top and bottom bezels and the Home button with Touch ID for the mostly screen form factor found on the latest iPhones. Many suspect the phone will have a 6.1-inch display with a 60Hz refresh rate, though some rumors have suggested it could get an OLED screen instead. 

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2. Face ID and USB-C 

Dropping the Home button means the iPhone SE 4 will lose its Touch ID biometric security method and will most likely switch to FaceID. This will align the unlocking method across the iPhone lineup. However, it seems unlikely that the new handset will get the Dynamic Island found on the latest iPhones. Leaked images suggest that the iPhone SE 4 will sport the notch of the iPhone 14. 

The iPhone 14 has a notch at the top rather than the Dynamic Island of the iPhone 15 and 16, and the iPhone SE could follow suit (Credit: Eric Zeman)

Additionally, the phone will follow the transition away from Apple’s proprietary Lightning port in favor of the industry standard of USB-C port for charging and data transfer. This follows the European Union’s ruling mandating USB-C charging for all small electronic devices, which went into effect at the end of last year. 

3. Apple A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence

Many expect Apple’s AI push to reach the iPhone SE. The SE might be less expensive than other iPhones, but Apple is likely to ensure that at least some Apple Intelligence features are on board. To make that a reality, rumors suggest it will use the same A18 processor as the current iPhone 16. Which Apple Intelligence features make the cut remains to be seen.

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4. An Improved Camera

A new phone deserves a new camera, and the iPhone SE 4 should get just that. It’s widely expected that the new iPhone will ship with a 48MP rear camera. We don’t yet know if it’s the same 48MP Fusion Camera of the iPhone 16 family, but we certainly hope so.

Leaked images and video reveal a single round camera on the upper left back of the phone. A smaller round hole for a flash sits directly next to it. While the camera should get a huge boost in megapixels over its 12MP predecessor, we probably won’t get the multi-camera array found on other iPhones. 

There haven’t been many reports about what Apple will do with the selfie camera or video capture capabilities, but you can expect an improvement there, too.

5. A New Name?

There’s chatter that Apple will do away with the “iPhone SE” name as it is today. The first three versions of the phone have simply been the iPhone SE, though we often refer to them as the iPhone SE 2 and the iPhone SE 3 to help clarify which version we’re talking about. Some Redditors think there’s a chance the new device will be named the iPhone 16E.

We’re prepared to bring you all the iPhone SE 4 (iPhone 16E?) news as it is announced, so stay tuned for the latest from Apple.

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About Sarah Lord

Analyst, Mobile

I’m a Mobile Analyst at PCMag, which means I cover wireless phones, plans, tablets, ereaders, and a whole lot more. I’ve always loved technology and have been forming opinions on consumer electronics since childhood. Prior to joining PCMag, I covered TVs and home entertainment at CNET, served as the tech and electronics reviews fellow at Insider, and began my career by writing laptop reviews as an intern at Tom’s Hardware. I am also a professional actor with credits in theater, film, and television.

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