If all these reports are true, and usually the more independent confirmations received, the better, the new iPhone SE4 will feature a 6.1-inch screen up from the 4.7-inch screen used (along with the rest of the iPhone 8 form factor) with the iPhone SE 2 and iPhone SE 3. It will also end the use of Touch ID since the iPhone 14 form factor includes Face ID.
Unlike the iPhone 14, which features a dual-camera setup, the iPhone SE4 is believed to be equipped with a rear camera featuring a 48 MP sensor codenamed “Portland”. MacRumors says Apple’s internal documentation highlights what is called “fundamental change” from the iPhone 14. Prototypes of the phone have been seen in black, which looks like the Midnight color option for the iPhone 14. The materials used in the phone are the same used to build the iPhone 14.
iPhone SE 4 will copy the format of iPhone 14.
Apple is adding to the iPhone SE the custom action button found on the iPhone 15 Pro models this year. Replacing the mute button, the action button allows users to determine what the phone does when the button is long-pressed. Options include turning on the flashlight, recording a voice memo, opening the magnifier, running a shortcut, using an accessibility feature, and more. Also coming to the iPhone SE4 is the USB-C charging and data transfer port that replaces the proprietary Lightning port.
Having the action button on the iPhone SE4 leads some to suggest that Apple plans to add the feature to all four iPhone 16 models next year. Interestingly, the “Capture” button and its unknown functionality apparently will not be found on the iPhone SE4 and will make its debut on the iPhone 16 lineup.
It will be interesting to see which chip Apple uses in the iPhone SE4 as the A15 Bionic powering the iPhone 14 is found inside the iPhone SE3. We should see either the 4nm A16 Bionic currently found in the iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, and iPhone 15 Plus, or the 3nm A17 Pro under the hood of the iPhone SE4. The A17 Pro is only available in two smartphones in the world this year, the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
MacRumors says that based on the current status of the iPhone SE4 in the development cycle, the phone will likely be released in 2025.