Apple Set to Unveil iPhone SE 4 With Major Redesign and In-House Modem

Apple is gearing up to announce its much-anticipated fourth-generation iPhone SE next week via a press release, with availability expected later this month, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The upcoming iPhone SE 4 is set to undergo its most significant design overhaul since the series’ inception, incorporating modern aesthetics, upgraded internals, and Apple's first in-house modem chip.

iPhone SE 4 to Feature iPhone 14-Inspired Design

Breaking away from its traditional design language, the iPhone SE 4 will adopt a look reminiscent of the iPhone 14, moving away from the home button and thick bezels. This marks a historic shift as Touch ID is phased out, making way for Face ID verification in the SE lineup for the first time.

The display size is expected to increase, offering a larger, edge-to-edge screen, making it more competitive with other mid-range smartphones from Samsung and Google. The USB-C charging port will also debut on the iPhone SE lineup, ensuring compliance with European Union regulations that mandate a universal charging standard.

Apple’s First In-House Modem Debuts in iPhone SE 4

One of the biggest innovations in the iPhone SE 4 is Apple’s first-ever in-house modem chip. This marks a significant step toward reducing dependency on Qualcomm. While initial performance may not match Qualcomm's latest modems, this move aligns with Apple's long-term vision of full hardware independence.

Powerful A18 Chip and Enhanced Camera

Under the hood, the iPhone SE 4 will be powered by Apple's latest A18 processor, the same chip expected to run the iPhone 16 series, ensuring flagship-level performance in an affordable package. Accompanying the processor is 8GB of RAM, a considerable upgrade for better multitasking and performance efficiency.

For photography enthusiasts, the SE 4 will sport a single 48-megapixel rear camera, a significant jump from its predecessor’s 12MP sensor. Users can expect enhanced photo quality, improved low-light performance, and better computational photography features.

Potential Price Hike but Still Affordable

While Apple has traditionally positioned the iPhone SE as its most budget-friendly offering, reports suggest a potential price increase from the current $429 starting price. However, it is expected to remain under $500, ensuring competitiveness against mid-range rivals like Samsung’s Galaxy A series and Google’s Pixel 7a.

Launch Date and Additional Announcements

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone SE 4 as early as February 11, alongside the launch of the PowerBeats Pro 2 wireless headphones. The announcement will likely be made via a press release, rather than a large-scale event.

Conclusion

The iPhone SE 4 represents a major leap forward, aligning the SE lineup with Apple’s modern design language while introducing new features like Face ID, a USB-C port, and an in-house modem chip. With flagship-grade processing power and an improved camera, it is set to be a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone market. However, potential buyers will be keen to see if the price increase is justified by these upgrades.