The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max are here, but one member of Apple's smartphone lineup is still waiting for an update.
By many accounts, the iPhone SE is long overdue for an update, but new leaks suggest that an update could bring with it a substantial price increase. Arena Phone “Famous leaker” Revegnus1 has reportedly suggested that the rumoured fourth-generation iPhone SE could cost $499 in the US, up $70 from the current price of $429 (£429/AU$719).
However, when we look at the list of possible upgrades coming with the rumored update, this price increase starts to make a little more sense.
Among these improvements, the most important is support for Apple Intelligence, as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggested in August. Even with Revegnus1's suggested price increase, the iPhone SE 4 would be the most affordable entry-level model for Apple Intelligence in Apple's entire product line.
The next cheapest device with Apple Intelligence would be the 11-inch iPad Air at $599 / £599 / AU$999, and the next cheapest iPhone with Apple Intelligence would be this year's iPhone 16 at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399.
A refreshed iPhone SE priced at $499 would match Google’s Pixel 8a, also priced at $499 (£499/AU$849), and pose a serious challenge to Samsung’s budget flagship, the $599 (£599/AU$899) Galaxy S23 FE.
If Apple Intelligence does make it to the iPhone SE 4, we expect to see it with either the A17 Pro or A18 chipset and 8GB of RAM, closing the spec gap between the SE and the base iPhone 16 model.
The current third-generation iPhone SE launched in 2022, featuring 4GB of RAM and the iPhone 13's A15 Bionic chipset inside the iPhone 8's design—Home button with Touch ID included.
We expect the fourth-generation iPhone SE to use the iPhone 14 design, with a full-length notched OLED display, Face ID, and USB-C connectivity, though opinions are divided on whether it will have one or two cameras.
Closing the distance
The launch of an iPhone SE with Apple Intelligence would be in line with Apple's recent efforts to close the gap between its regular iPhone and iPhone Plus and the ultra-premium iPhone Pro and Pro Max.
Apple equipped the base model iPhone 15 with Dynamic Island and a 48MP main camera, and with the standard iPhone 16 shipping with the Action Button, camera controls, and all the specs needed to run Apple Intelligence when it launches in October, the gap is even narrower this year.
An iPhone SE with this year's A18 chipset, 8GB of RAM, and Apple Intelligence would, in theory, offer a very similar software experience to the iPhone 16.
In this case, Apple is likely to differentiate the two models with design and hardware features – we wouldn't expect to see the newer Action Button and Camera Control on the iPhone SE, though we've previously heard that the Dynamic Island could be present.
Of course, all of the above is based on rumors and leaks at the moment – it will be up to Apple to confirm any updates, price increases, or spec improvements for the iPhone SE in due course.
Until then, the current iPhone SE remains the best budget iPhone. For more on the latest iPhones, check out our iPhone 16 review, iPhone 16 Plus review, iPhone 16 Pro review, and iPhone 16 Pro Max review.
