The Apple iPhone SE 4 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated budget smartphones of 2024, with leaked specifications pointing to a significant redesign and a notable performance upgrade over its predecessor. Here is everything the rumour mill has revealed so far about Apple's next entry-level iPhone.
Apple iPhone SE 4 Design: A Major Departure from the Retro Look
Apple's SE series has long been defined by thick bezels and a classic, retro aesthetic carried over from older flagship designs. The iPhone SE 2022, for example, retained an iPhone 8-like form factor — a design that dates back to 2017. That era appears to be over. Leaked reports suggest Apple is ready to move the SE line into the modern age with a completely refreshed look for the fourth generation.
The biggest design change is the rumoured shift to a 6.1-inch LCD display. This would make the iPhone SE 4 noticeably larger than any previous SE model and bring it much closer in size to the mainstream iPhone lineup. The new design is speculated to draw inspiration from the iPhone XR, which featured slimmer bezels and a more contemporary silhouette compared to the earlier SE models.
If the iPhone XR-inspired design leak holds true, buyers can expect a more premium feel without the premium price tag — exactly what Apple's budget-conscious customers have been asking for.
iPhone SE 4 Specifications and Key Features
Alongside the design overhaul, leaked specification details offer a clearer picture of what to expect inside the device.
- Display: 6.1-inch LCD panel — larger than any previous SE model.
- Chipset: Apple A16 Bionic — the same flagship processor found in the iPhone 14 Pro lineup.
- Biometrics: No Face ID and no Touch ID, consistent with previous SE models that also omitted one or both of these features.
- Design reference: Speculated to be based on the iPhone XR chassis, offering slimmer bezels than the iPhone 8-era design.
The inclusion of the A16 Bionic chipset, if confirmed, would be a substantial leap. It would give the iPhone SE 4 processing power well beyond what most Android phones at a comparable price point can offer, and it would ensure the device receives software updates for many years to come.
It is worth noting that the absence of Touch ID aligns with the direction Apple took in the iPhone SE 2022, which used Touch ID embedded in the side button. Previous SE models going back to the original relied on a front-mounted Home button with Touch ID. Reports have not clarified whether the SE 4 will include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor or rely solely on a passcode for security.
Expected Launch Timeline
Apple is widely expected to introduce the iPhone SE 4 in early 2024. The company has historically used its SE line to refresh entry-level iPhone availability on a roughly two-to-three year cycle. The last model, the iPhone SE (3rd generation), was released in March 2022, which makes a 2024 launch a logical next step.
No official pricing has been announced, but Apple has consistently kept the SE series as its most affordable iPhone entry point. With the upgraded display size and the A16 chipset, a modest price increase over the previous model's starting point would be expected.
For buyers watching Apple's budget lineup, the iPhone SE 4 represents the most ambitious update to the SE series in years. Stay up to date with all the latest news and leaks by following our Apple coverage.
