The new iPhone SE 4 case leak indicates a major design upgrade

On October 14, 2024By Yukito

With the iPhone 16 finally arriving in the market, rumors about Apple’s next iPhone lineup are constantly pouring in. While Apple hasn’t updated its iPhone SE lineup since 2022, there’s a strong possibility that 2025 will be the year the new iPhone SE 4 arrives. A new leak from Apple insider Sonny Dickson has shed some light on how what updates Apple is planning, including whether there may be a camera control button or an action button found on top-end iPhones.

Over the weekend, Dickson shared on X a visible photo of the iPhone SE 4 case, which is scheduled for release next spring. While it doesn’t show the device itself, it does give some clues about what to expect from Apple’s next-generation budget smartphone.

The case has a flat back panel with a cutout for the rear camera that appears slightly larger than that of the iPhone SE 3, which could mean that the iPhone SE 4 includes dual cameras, a first in the series. The iPhone SE 4 is already expected to draw design inspiration from the iPhone 14 and become the first of Apple’s budget “special edition” iPhones to not have Touch ID for Face ID and a notch, so it’s possible that will take another page from the iPhone 14 and add an ultra-wide camera to your array.

It was previously suggested that the iPhone SE 4 would feature an action button, which debuted on last year’s iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max and made its way to all iPhone 16 models this year. What’s a bit disappointing is that the iPhone case The SE 4 only has a cutout for the mute switch, which has been replaced with an action button. There is also no cutout for the new Camera Control button introduced in the iPhone 16 line – a recessed touch switch that makes it easier to instantly take photos and record video.

That being said, the iPhone SE 4 still has plenty to be excited about. Rumor has it that this bargain phone will come with 8GB of RAM and an Apple A18 chip that will enable it to take advantage of Apple’s suite of AI-powered features – Apple Intelligence. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also suggested that Apple Intelligence in the iPhone SE 4 is very likely. We’ve already seen AI capabilities supported in budget phones like Google’s Pixel 8a, but it would still be a significant move for Apple to bring its AI feature set to its most affordable device. The iPhone SE 4 is also expected to replace the aging LCD screen with a shiny new 6.1-inch OLED display and replace Apple’s proprietary USB-C port.

However, this budget phone may face a price hike. The iPhone SE 3 launched for $429 in 2022, but with the new technology and the addition of Apple Intelligence, we expect the iPhone SE 4 to cost around $500. This would still solidify its position as a budget phone considering the iPhone 16’s starting price of $899.

Of course, all this remains a matter of speculation for now. We’re still early in the iPhone SE 4 rumor cycle, so expect more leaks as the calendar gets closer to its expected spring launch.