Apple’s iPhone SE line has always been about delivering that signature iOS experience without the flagship price tag. These little phones pack a punch, making them a favorite for budget-conscious Apple fans or those who just prefer a smaller device. Now, the rumor mill is churning, and everyone’s talking about the iPhone SE 4.
Whispers suggest the iPhone SE 4 will be a radical departure from the iPhone SE 3, which hit the scene in 2022. We’re talking a complete design revamp, serious performance upgrades, and a camera that might just give some pricier phones a run for their money. But is it all just hype? How does the rumored SE 4 really compare to the still-solid SE 3?
Let’s jump in and dissect the rumored differences in design, specs, camera, price, and when we might actually see it. This breakdown will give you the lowdown, whether you’re itching for an upgrade or thinking about joining the iPhone club for the first time.
iPhone SE 4 vs. SE 3: Design—Out with the Old, In with the New?
The iPhone SE 3, while dependable, sported a design straight out of the iPhone 8 era—thick bezels and a physical Home button. Sure, that design has its fans, but let’s be honest, it’s been left in the dust by the sleek, edge-to-edge screens we see today.
The iPhone SE 4 is set to ditch that dated look. Leaks suggest a design inspired by the iPhone XR or even the iPhone 12. Think much slimmer bezels, no more Home button, and possibly Face ID, or maybe they will go the route of a side-mounted Touch ID power button like on the latest iPad Air.
Here’s the deal on the expected design changes:
- Display: The SE 4 is rumored to rock a bigger, roughly 6.1-inch OLED screen. That’s a huge jump from the SE 3’s 4.7-inch LCD, promising richer colors, deeper blacks, and way better contrast.
- Bezels: Get ready for much thinner bezels. This means a more immersive experience and a more modern look.
- Notch: There are debates whether a notch will be part of the design or not; most leaks show a notch is present.
- Body: Expect a more modern, flat-edged design, similar to the current iPhone lineup.
- Build: Like the SE 3, expect an aluminum frame and glass back. Solid and durable, as expected from a budget device.
- Colors: The jury’s still out on colors, but there are whispers of midnight, starlight, red, yellow, pink, and blue.
This redesign would make the iPhone SE 4 a head-turner and maximize screen real estate, potentially fitting a larger display into a similar-sized body.
iPhone SE 4 vs SE 3: Performance – A Serious Speed Boost
The iPhone SE 3, with its A15 Bionic chip, was no slowpoke. But the iPhone SE 4? It’s expected to blow it out of the water.
Early reports hint at the SE 4 using the A16 Bionic chip (the same one in the iPhone 14 Pro models) or even a tweaked version of the newer A17 Pro chip. Or, they might throw us a curveball and introduce a new A-series chip, such as the A18. Any of these would be a massive leap in processing power, meaning buttery-smooth multitasking, effortless gaming, and handling any app you throw at it.
Here’s the inside scoop on potential upgrades:
- Chipset: A16 Bionic, a variant of the A17 Pro, or a whole new A18 – any of these would leave the A15 Bionic in the dust.
- RAM: Rumors suggest 6GB or even 8GB of RAM, up from the SE 3’s 4GB. That means smoother multitasking and better app performance, no question.
- Storage: We’re not sure about the base storage yet, but expect at least 64GB, with 128GB and 256GB options likely.
This performance jump doesn’t just make the iPhone SE 4 better for daily tasks, but it also future-proofs it, ensuring it can handle iOS updates and demanding apps for years to come. And speaking of software, this phone will likely launch with iOS 18. Apple’s been busy refining it, with things like the recent iOS 18.2 update that brings Live Activities to Safari Downloads.
iPhone SE 4 vs SE 3: Camera – From Decent Snapper to Potential Photography Champ
The iPhone SE 3’s 12MP single-lens camera took decent photos, especially in good light. But it lacked the bells and whistles of higher-end iPhones.
The iPhone SE 4, though? It’s rumored to get a major camera upgrade – a potential 48MP main sensor. Megapixels aren’t everything, but this boost, combined with Apple’s photo-processing magic, could mean significantly better image quality, more detail, and improved low-light shots.
Here’s what might be in store for the camera:
- Main Sensor: A rumored jump to a 48MP sensor – a huge leap from the SE 3’s 12MP.
- Computational Photography: Expect Apple’s image processing to get even better, with Smart HDR, Deep Fusion, and Night mode, likely supercharged by the beefier processor.
- Video Recording: 4K video is a given, but we might see better stabilization or even higher frame rates.
- Front Camera: Details are scarce, but a 12MP front camera for selfies and video calls seems likely, hopefully with improved performance in dim lighting.
The word on the street is “Fusion” lens technology. This probably means pixel binning—combining data from multiple pixels for a brighter, cleaner image. It’s a trick often used to improve low-light shots and reduce noise.
A 48MP sensor and souped-up computational photography could make the iPhone SE 4’s camera a serious contender, even against some of the best mid-range and upper mid-range phones. Also, the camera bump is expected to be a throwback to the iPhone X.
iPhone SE 4 vs. SE 3: Price—Still a Budget-Friendly Option?
The iPhone SE series is all about affordability. The SE 3 launched at $429 in the US, £419 in the UK, AU$719 in Australia, and ₹43,900 in India.
The iPhone SE 4 will likely cost a bit more, thanks to the upgrades. But most analysts think it’ll stay relatively affordable. Current guesses put the starting price around $499 in the US, or maybe even a tad lower. It’s true, a price hike for the iPhone SE 4 looks likely, and here’s why it makes sense, given the major upgrades. For the UK, expect somewhere between £499 and £550, and under AU$800 in Australia.
Keep in mind, these are just guesses. The final price could change depending on storage options and where you live. Apple will continue to sell the SE 3, most likely at a lower price, after releasing the SE 4, which will further expand customer choice.
iPhone SE 4 vs. SE 3: Launch Date—When’s It Dropping?
Apple’s keeping quiet, but rumors strongly suggest an early 2025 launch, probably March or April. That lines up with previous iPhone SE releases.
But, hey, Apple’s known to change plans. There’s even a chance it could be delayed to coincide with the iPhone 17 launch or pushed to 2026. Some folks are wondering if Apple’s focus on iOS 18 will cause delays in the iOS 19 release date, which might impact future device launches.
iPhone SE 4 vs. SE 3: Key Specifications Comparison Table
| Feature | iPhone SE 3 (2022) | iPhone SE 4 (Rumored) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 4.7-inch Retina HD (LCD) | ~6.1-inch OLED |
| Resolution | 1334 x 750 pixels | ~2532 x 1170 pixels (Estimate) |
| Processor | A15 Bionic | A16 Bionic, A17 Pro variant, or A18 |
| RAM | 4GB | 6GB or 8GB |
| Storage | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB (Likely) |
| Rear Camera | 12MP Single Lens | 48MP Single Lens |
| Front Camera | 7MP | 12MP (Estimate) |
| Battery | ~2018 mAh | ~3000 mAh (Estimate) |
| Charging | Lightning Port, Wireless | USB-C Port, Wireless |
| Biometrics | Touch ID (Home Button) | Face ID or Side-Mounted Touch ID |
| Operating System | iOS 15 (Upgradeable) | iOS 18 (Expected) |
| Starting Price | $429 / £419 / AU$719 / ₹43,900 | ~$499 / ~£499-£550 / ~AU$800 (Estimate) |
| Launch Date | March 2022 | Early 2025 (Rumored) |
iPhone SE 4 vs. SE 3: Should You Wait or Upgrade Now?
The iPhone SE 4 is shaping up to be a massive upgrade—a modern design, a powerful chip, a potentially awesome camera, and a bigger, better screen.
If you’re using an older iPhone or want a budget-friendly way into the Apple world, it might be smart to wait for the iPhone SE 4. The rumored improvements are significant, especially if you care about performance, camera quality, and having a phone that looks like it belongs in this decade.
But, if you need a phone right now and the iPhone SE 3 fits the bill, it’s still a great option. It’s fast for the price, it’s compact, and you get access to all those iOS apps. And it will likely get a price cut when the SE 4 comes out.
The best choice depends on you – your needs, your budget, and what you want in a phone. But here’s the bottom line: the iPhone SE 4 is poised to be a game-changer in the budget phone market. It might just redefine what we expect from an affordable iPhone. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the potential launch. We’ll keep this article updated so you have the most current info on the iPhone SE 4 vs. iPhone SE 3 showdown.
