Apple’s upcoming iPhone SE 4 likely to offer major improvements

IT purchasers might be interested to learn that Apple is preparing to introduce a new entry-level and more affordable next edition iPhone SE. What sets this iteration apart is that it should be powerful enough to run Apple Intelligence.

That means you can expect a good quantity of storage, as Apple Intelligence presently requires around 7GB of space. You also get a much faster and more powerful processor and a good chunk of memory, which together mean all the apps you already in use on your existing device should work much better. 

This will make the device suitable for deployment in a wider range of scenarios than in the past. It should also help the company stimulate interest among price-conscious consumers who, while they might aspire to purchase Apple’s best iPhones, remain price-sensitive.

What we know about the upcoming iPhone SE

Much of the speculation pertaining to this device has been reported on before. Additional information is coming from Bloomberg and seemingly leaked by case manufacturer Spigen. 

Based on what we think we know currently, it will have:

An A18 (possibly an A17) chip. The current iPhone 16 range also runs on an A18 processor.

An Apple-designed 5G modem — the first deployment of this important component.

A notch, which suggests support for Face ID. The current SE uses Touch ID. Dynamic Island may not be a feature in this device.

A single-lens 48MP camera with flash and auto-focus. 

Possibly a 2x optical zoom.

An Action button on the left-hand side.

A 6.1-in. OLED display, up from the 4.7-in. on the current model.

A USB-C port.

Pricing under $500, though likely more expensive than the current $429 for the outgoing model.

Summing up these improvements, there is no doubt that this is a significant improvement compared to the last generation SE. If you are upgrading from a previous SE, you can bank on much longer battery life and a device that is far better at handling intensive tasks. 

This will also be the first significant mass test of Apple’s first 5G modem. Apple has spent years of research and billions of dollars developing this part, which will eventually replace Qualcomm’s 5G chips across all Apple’s products.  

Apple’s intelligence on Apple Intelligence

Apple’s decision to introduce another iPhone also means it will have all the excuse it needs to aggressively re-promote Apple Intelligence, which is now available in most major English-speaking nations and should be available in  Chinese, English (India), English (Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese and other languages this year.

While we don’t yet know who Apple will partner with for Apple Intelligence in China, the inclusion of localized English support in India could be a big boost. IDC recently told us that Apple has seen 35% growth in India, which has become its fourth-largest market for sales. Expanding Apple Intelligence availability with a lower-cost device in that market could stimulate additional growth — and it’s also likely that a large number of these devices will actually be Made In India (though designed in Cupertino). 

Protecting Apple’s story

Elsewhere, with consumers in other nations feeling the pinch, the new model is likely to put a little wind in Apple’s sails as it navigates what is traditionally one of its slower quarters. Apple management surely feels the company needs to boost momentum somehow, given the battering its stock has suffered because of regulatory problems in some markets.

There also continue to be pervasive reports claiming Apple plans a new and thinner device, a so-called “iPhone 17 Air,” this year.

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