The iPhone SE 4 is set for a significant upgrade, featuring a full-screen OLED display, the A18 chip, 5G support, and more. The new model will bring modern features to the budget-friendly SE lineup, including Face ID and a 48MP rear camera.
New Budget Favorite
Recently, well-known leaker @Jukanlosreve revealed a complete specification sheet for the iPhone SE 4, which is highly credible.
If the rumors are true, we can expect to meet the most significant upgrade to the iPhone SE series next spring since its debut.
As Apple's "entry-level" product line, the iPhone SE series has been beloved by consumers for its compact size and affordable price since its launch.
However, while the first and second-generation SE models became favorites among users, the iPhone SE 3 did not meet sales expectations. This highlighted the need for Apple to adjust in the next generation: "Low-end" doesn't mean outdated, and the SE series also needs timely updates.
From the current leaks, it appears that the iPhone SE 4 will finally depart from the classic iPhone design used by previous SE models, adopting a design similar to the standard iPhone 14 with a "full-screen" display.
However, the "notch" is still present, and hasn't been removed yet.
Leaks suggest that the iPhone SE 4 could come with a 6.06-inch OLED display, with a resolution of 2532x1170 pixels and a peak brightness of 800 nits. This is a significant upgrade from the previous 4.7-inch, 1334x750 LCD display in the SE 3.
It is worth noting that this will be the first time an OLED panel is used in the iPhone SE series.
Analyst Ross Young has stated that the iPhone SE 4 should share the same OLED panel as the iPhone 14, supplied by BOE and LG Display. However, South Korea’s ET News recently reported that it will use the same 6.1-inch LTPS OLED display as the iPhone 13.
Industry insiders claim that around 25% to 35% of iPhone SE 4’s panels will be supplied by LG Display, which has already begun mass production of the panel.
Additionally, the use of a full-screen display means the "Home button" and "Touch ID" will be removed. It is expected that the iPhone SE 4 will feature the more advanced Face ID technology, which previous SE models lacked.
Leaks also indicate that the iPhone SE 4 will be powered by the A18 processor, the same as the iPhone 16, along with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. This "flagship-like" configuration strongly suggests that Apple is preparing this model with Apple Intelligence in mind.
Indeed, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman confirmed this, indicating that Apple aims to bring Apple Intelligence to as many devices as possible, including its cheapest new iPhone.
The latest full spec sheet shows that the iPhone SE 4 will feature a 48MP rear camera and a 12MP front camera, compared to the 7MP front and 12MP rear cameras in the iPhone SE 3.
According to leaker Sonny Dickson’s previous sharing of iPhone SE 4 case designs, this phone may adopt a dual-camera system similar to the iPhone 14 models, with both a primary camera and an ultra-wide lens.
However, the latest ET News report suggests that the information about the camera system in the spec sheet appears quite credible: LG Innotek is mass-producing the iPhone SE 4’s lens modules at its factory in Vietnam, with the 48MP rear and 12MP front specifications.
Previously, LG Innotek supplied the rear camera module for the iPhone SE 3. In addition to LG Innotek, sources say that Foxconn and Cowell Electronics are also involved in the iPhone SE 4’s lens module supply chain.
It is expected that the iPhone SE 4 will also come with Apple's first 5G modem, codenamed "Centauri," as Qualcomm was the main supplier for Apple’s iPhone modems in the past.
Additionally, the iPhone SE 4 will feature a USB-C port, IP68-rated water and dust resistance, Wi-Fi 6 support, 20W wired charging, and up to 15W Qi2 and MagSafe wireless charging.
The battery capacity of the iPhone SE 4 is 3279 mAh, compared to the 2018 mAh of the previous generation. The weight of the phone has also increased from 144g to 165g.
In summary, the iPhone SE 4 is packed with impressive performance specs, marking a "new beginning" for the SE series. It brings modern iPhone features and performance to the SE lineup, breathing new life into this product line.
Given its reasonably priced starting point of $499, this iPhone is likely to become the new "budget-friendly" favorite, with an expected shipment volume of around 20 million units.
