The subsequent main Apple occasion is scheduled for September 9, and we anticipate to listen to information of the iPhone 16 lineup, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and new Apple Intelligence options on the Cupertino-set showcase.
Naturally, rumors and predictions relating to which different merchandise might seem on the firm’s upcoming ‘It’s Glowtime’ occasion are circulating quickly.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a number of Apple merchandise are at the moment briefly provide, together with the iPhone SE (2022), the iPad mini, and a number of other FineWoven fake leather-based equipment. This may counsel that refreshes are on the best way for all or any of those merchandise.
The iPhone SE is the oldest product of the bunch, having gotten its final spec bump in 2022 and its final design overhaul in 2020. The first iPhone SE launched in 2016 with a design harking back to the iPhone 5S, so a refresh in September would proceed the pattern of a four-year hole between main design updates.
However, the iPhone SE is normally revealed and launched within the spring, and rumors from established sources together with leaker Jeff Pu and MacRumors level to a 2025 launch date for the iPhone SE 4. But that is not the one cause why an imminent iPhone SE launch appears unlikely.
A less complicated software program expertise
As for why Apple would even think about releasing a new-generation iPhone SE, the iPhone SE 4 might discover its area of interest as Apple’s solely non-AI cellphone.
Apple usually stratifies entry to software program options based mostly on SoC energy, and evidently the A17 Pro chipset contained in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max is the baseline for Apple Intelligence.
It could be genuinely shocking to see Apple give its ‘finances’ (heavy on the quote marks) cellphone the chip from final yr’s flagship, to not point out the 8GB of RAM that each one telephones able to working Apple Intelligence both have already got or are anticipated to launch with.
This would put the internals of the iPhone SE 4, which we speculate may value round $429 / £500 / AU$820, almost on par with the brand new iPhone 16, which we expect will launch at $799 / £799 / AU$1,499.
Add to this Apple’s custom of providing final yr’s base iPhone – on this case the A16 Bionic-equipped iPhone 15 – for $699 / £699 / AU$1,299, and an A17 Pro-equipped iPhone SE makes even much less sense.
However, some rumors counsel that the identical A16 Bionic chip will make its approach into the iPhone SE 4, so it’s not fairly clear how Apple intends to steadiness the worth proposition of its cellphone lineup.
Previous iPhone SE fashions held on to previous designs and {hardware} options like the house button and Touch ID, however with the following mannequin touted to inherit a modified iPhone 14 chassis, Apple might swap its emphasis to a extra acquainted software program expertise.
As a lot as producers like Apple, Google, and Samsung are specializing in AI in the meanwhile, it stays a controversial topic and a brand new expertise, so the extra opinionated and fewer tech-savvy in Apple’s fanbase might desire a tool that runs a less complicated model of iOS. That mentioned, Apple will doubtless place a heavy deal with Apple Intelligence and the brand new iPhone 16 collection at its September 9 occasion, and an AI-free iPhone SE doesn’t fairly match into that technique
Of course, all the above is predicated on rumors, and it stays as much as Apple to discover a place and time for the launch of any new iPhone SE mannequin.
An AI energy play?
The strongest justification for an early (learn: September) iPhone SE launch could be a want for consistency throughout the iPhone lineup.
We anticipate to listen to much more about Apple Intelligence when Apple reveals the iPhone 16 lineup subsequent week, as all 4 of this yr’s anticipated fashions are predicted to get full AI integration. For comparability, the one earlier iPhones confirmed to obtain Apple Intelligence are the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Launching an AI-equipped iPhone SE alongside the iPhone 16 collection would carry software program parity throughout the whole iPhone lineup.
Apple at all times discontinues its Pro iPhones as quickly as the brand new technology is introduced, so if this pattern continues, the one solution to get an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max can be via third-party retailers.
As costs for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max fall over the approaching years, and particularly as these fashions enter the refurbished and second-hand markets, Apple might be able to tempt budget-conscious shoppers in direction of an AI-enabled iPhone SE.
However, that is full conjecture. The solely substantial rumor we’ve seen to assist a 2024 iPhone SE launch is Gurman’s report of low inventory, which doesn’t embrace a powerful suggestion that the SE is launching early.
We proceed to foretell that the iPhone SE 4 will launch in 2025 as a consequence of a variety of credible rumors suggesting as a lot. In any case, you should definitely take a look at our devoted iPhone SE 4 rumors hub for the most recent updates.
