The 4th generation iPhone SE might arrive sooner than anticipated. According to a recent report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this new “low-cost” iPhone could be announced as early as next week, with shipments commencing later this month.
It is speculated that Apple will announce this new iPhone SE via a simple press release, similar to its unveiling of the first M4-based Macs in October. The company discontinued the 3rd-gen iPhone SE in the EU because of a new local law requiring phones sold in the region to use a USB-C port. The 3rd-gen iPhone SE was launched in March 2022.
The 4th gen iPhone SE is rumored to adopt the iPhone 14’s design from 2022, featuring a single-sensor camera system on the back. Internally, the device is expected to boast the same A18 chip as the upcoming iPhone 16 and 8GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence features. Furthermore, the new iPhone SE could be the first iPhone to incorporate a new in-house modem, representing the start of Apple’s effort to replace Qualcomm modems in its mobile devices over the coming years, as reported by Gurman.
Given that this new iPhone SE could be as powerful as the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, it will likely be priced higher than the 3rd-gen model, which had a starting price of $429 in the US. For reference, the iPhone 16 currently starts at $799.
Gurman also indicated that Apple might introduce new PowerBeats Pro 2 earbuds alongside the 4th gen iPhone SE next week. These earbuds could be the first Apple-branded earbuds equipped with a built-in heart rate monitor, a feature Apple is reportedly planning to integrate into its more mainstream AirPods in the future.
The imminent arrival of the 4th generation iPhone SE promises a blend of affordability and cutting-edge technology.