The iPhone SE 4 is seemingly simply across the nook, with Apple CEO Tim Cook confirming that “the most recent member of the Apple household” shall be introduced on February 19.
We don’t know for positive that this new member of the family would be the iPhone SE 4, however with the iPhone SE (2022) now virtually three years previous, all of the indicators level in the direction of an imminent refresh for Apple’s finances iPhone class.
Three years is a very long time, and whereas we’ve already highlighted 5 of the most important upgrades to anticipate from the iPhone SE 4, what concerning the options it might depart behind? Below, we’ve detailed 4 basic iPhone options that we predict are about to be killed off by Apple’s subsequent smartphone – from Touch ID to Lightning.
The Home button
Home button-less shows have been a function of all mainline iPhones for the reason that iPhone X, however Apple’s iPhone SE fashions – together with the still-available-to-buy iPhone SE (2022) – have caught by this basic piece of iPhone historical past within the title of affordability.
That appears to be like virtually sure to alter with the iPhone SE 4, which can reportedly come outfitted with an all-encompassing 6.1-inch OLED panel, much like the show used on the iPhone 14.
In fact, the iPhone SE (2022) appears to be like and feels outdated in 2025 primarily due to its bodily Home button, so though we’re all nostalgic for this specific iPhone function, we do suppose Apple is correct to wave goodbye to the Home button with the iPhone SE 4.
Touch ID
Beyond aesthetics, the absence of a bodily Home button on the iPhone SE 4 may even mark the absence – and iPhone-based discontinuation – of Touch ID.
As above, most iPhones have used Face ID for the reason that iPhone X, and it appears to be like just like the iPhone SE 4 will certainly function a notch on the high of its show that homes all the required Face ID elements.
Again, we’re not significantly bummed to see the again of Touch ID, as Face ID works amazingly nicely so persistently, however there are nonetheless many individuals on the market preferring the simplicity, familiarity, and velocity of a fingerprint sensor (and Touch ID particularly).
The Lightning normal
Apple lastly ditched its proprietary Lightning charging know-how in favor of USB-C with the iPhone 15 collection (albeit on the behest of the EU, reasonably than by alternative), which means its newest smartphones now cost and supply information switch utilizing the most typical bodily normal.
Legally talking – or a minimum of, if it hopes to promote the cellphone in Europe – Apple may even be obliged to equip the iPhone SE 4 with the USB-C normal, which means the corporate will now not promote any new fashions that use Lightning (although some older iPhone fashions are nonetheless obtainable with it on the time of writing).
In that respect, the iPhone SE (2022) is the final of a dying breed, and we’ll shed no tears when the usually unreliable, continuously incompatible Lightning normal receives its marching orders.
Sub-6-inch shows
As alluded to earlier, Apple appears to be like set to equip the iPhone SE 4 with an iPhone 14-style 6.1-inch show, which means all new iPhones shall be this measurement or bigger.
The still-available iPhone SE (2022) makes use of a 4.7-inch panel, however Apple’s determination to axe the 5.4-inch iPhone mini in 2023 had already sounded the dying knell for historically ‘small’ iPhones, so we’re not stunned that the SE 4 would be the nail within the coffin.
This is an industry-wide development, reasonably than an Apple-specific one – all the present finest Android telephones are 6.1 inches or bigger, so when you’re one of many uncommon few preferring a smaller display, we propose you choose up an iPhone SE (2022) sooner reasonably than later.
Which, if any, of those about-to-be-discontinued iPhone options will you miss probably the most? Let us know within the feedback.
