Not too long ago, there was an entry-level, low-cost iPhone model ideal for people who didn’t need all of the bells and whistles but still wanted to be part of the Apple ecosystem — the iPhone SE. After a two-year hiatus, a new model may be around the corner.
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On Thursday, Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman reported that Apple expects to announce the device as early as next week, with it hitting the market a month later, according to sources familiar with the matter. However, unlike its dated predecessor, the iPhone SE 4 will feature many of the latest tech and aesthetics.
The upgrades
The last iPhone SE 3, released in 2022, is a relic of the past with a home button and rounded edges. Leaked images of the new iPhone SE reveal that it will look similar to the iPhone 14, with a USB-C port at the bottom, no Home button, and a simple notch instead of the Dynamic Island that we are now used to.
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Most importantly, the new iPhone SE will reportedly support Apple Intelligence with the inclusion of an A18 chipset, the same silicon found in the iPhone 16 lineup. This should allow even entry-level users to experience the same AI assistance as the rest of the lineup, including Genmoji, Writing Tools, Notification summaries, Image Playground, and more.
Availability
A sure telltale sign that a new iPhone SE is about to be released is the dwindling inventory of the iPhone SE 3 at stores, as reported by Apple retail employees in the post. The iPhone SE is still available for purchase online for $429; however, we can expect the new model to be a bit pricier.
The hardware and software upgrades make it a very competitive alternative to the iPhone 16 lineup, and that comes at a cost. Leaks are placing the cost of the phone in the $500 range, which would still be hundreds of dollars cheaper than the base iPhone 16 model, which starts at $799.
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This price point would place it in the same range as entry-level phones from Google and Samsung, with the Google Pixel 8a and Samsung Galaxy A35 5G costing $499 and $400, respectively. By reintroducing a lower-cost option, Apple is positioning itself to reach a new demographic of customers that its latest release didn’t reach — people who want Apple products but only have a need for basic functions and, as a result, can’t justify spending a ton of money.
If you are wondering why there has been no launch event announced for next week, it’s because it’s highly unlikely Apple will even hold one, opting to launch on its website instead, according to the report. The iPhone SE launch will likely happen at the same time as the release of the new PowerBeats Pro 2 earbuds, which Bloomberg reports may be released as early as Feb. 11.
