Countdown to iPhone SE 4: SE 3 Disappearing from Stores
Apple’s iPhone SE lineup has always been a favorite among those seeking premium features at an accessible price point. Now three years since the release of iPhone SE 3 in 2022, fans are anxiously waiting to see what Apple will release next; an estimate by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests it could arrive as early as 2025 despite no official confirmation by them themselves.
Clues That the SE 4 Is Coming Soon
Mark Gurman’s latest update points to Apple actively clearing out existing iPhone SE 3 stock to prepare for the SE 4. Retail employees in the U.S. have reported low stock levels, making it harder to find the SE 3 in physical stores. While it’s still available online, the limited availability in stores suggests the SE 4 could be just around the corner.
In Europe, Apple has already stopped selling the SE 3 due to new regulations that require USB-C charging ports. The SE 3 still uses Apple’s Lightning connector, which no longer meets these requirements. As a result, Apple seems to be aligning the SE 4 with the new USB-C standard across its product lineup.
What Makes the iPhone SE 4 Exciting?
Though Apple has not yet revealed the iPhone SE 4, leaks and rumors paint a picture of a device that could bring significant improvements to the budget lineup. Here’s what we might see:
A Fresh, Modern Design
The SE 4 is rumored to adopt the iPhone 14’s design, featuring a 6.1-inch OLED display with slim bezels. Apple might ditch the traditional home button and introduce Face ID instead of Touch ID. These changes would make the SE 4 look more modern and bring it closer to Apple’s premium models.
Apple’s First In-House Cellular Modem
Apple could introduce its own in-house cellular modem with the SE 4, breaking away from Qualcomm’s chips. This shift could improve network performance and offer better integration with Apple’s other devices.
Performance Boosts
The SE 4 could feature Apple’s A18 chip, similar to what will power their iPhone 16 series devices. This could offer faster processing, seamless multitasking and superior gaming experiences with up to 8GB RAM and storage options reaching 512GB available allowing it to handle even demanding tasks efficiently.
USB-C and a Bigger Battery
As part of EU regulations, Apple may equip their next SE 4 with a USB-C charging port instead of using Lightning connector charging cables; and could come equipped with an upgraded 3,279mAh battery offering greater longevity compared to SE 3.
Possible Action Button
Rumors suggest that the SE 4 might include the Action Button, which Apple introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro. This feature allows users to customize the button for specific tasks, giving the SE 4 added functionality.
Color Options
Apple is likely to release the SE 4 in three colors: Midnight, Starlight, and Product (RED). These colors offer a mix of classic and bold choices.
What Will It Cost?
Apple is well known for their budget-conscious pricing with their iPhone SE lineup, so Apple may keep the SE 4 affordable to budget buyers. While its expected upgrades might increase its cost over that of its predecessor model (SE 3 launched at $429 for its base model), analysts anticipate an SE 4 price point between $450 to $500; offering great value considering all its features.
Why the SE 4 Could Be Worth the Wait
Apple’s budget iPhone lineup could take an evolutionary leap with Apple releasing their next-gen SE 4 smartphone in early 2025; featuring an updated design, improved performance and cutting-edge features like USB-C and Face ID compatibility; this could offer users looking for quality without premium price points a worthwhile value proposition. Fans of the series should now hope for their chance at an upgrade worthy of being announced during an Apple spring event or sooner!
