Photo: Sonny Dickson/X
It's been a while since Apple updated its "Special Edition" budget phone. However, the recent leaks indicate we might see the iPhone SE 4 launch in 2025. Sonny Dickson shared on X a photo of an alleged case of the iPhone SE 4. It doesn't show the device, but it offers clues on what to expect.
It shows a flat back panel with a rear camera cutout that looks slightly larger than the iPhone SE 3, hinting the iPhone SE 4 might pack two cameras (a first for the series).
The iPhone SE 4 is rumoured to be the first budget Apple phone to get rid of Touch ID in favour of Face ID. It'll supposedly get the notch, too. The case leak shows a cutout for the mute switch, which has been replaced by the Action Button. Perhaps we're seeing this physical button make its way here. There is no cutout for the new Camera Control feature, though.
Other leaked specs about this phone include 8GB of RAM paired with Apple's A18 chip, meaning the more budget-friendly iPhone will get access to Apple Intelligence. It will also supposedly swap out its LCD screen for a new 6.1-inch OLED and Apple's lighting port will make way for USB-C.
All these changes could mean a price hike. The Apple iPhone SE 3 launched at a starting price of US$429 in 2022 (starting at CA$579 here), but the new additions could raise the price to around US$500 (roughly CA$691). It would still be Apple's most affordable iPhone even with that raised price.
For now, we can only speculate about these changes and even the actual launch of this phone. But as Apple's next spring launch approaches, we'll probably hear more about this and other Apple devices coming.