iPhone SE 4 tipped to launch today – here's everything we know about Apple's next budget phone
It's been almost three years since Apple last launched a budget smartphone. While those with deeper pockets have been able to fork out upwards of £800 for the latest flagship iPhone 16, those looking for a more affordable option have been left waiting.
Now, the tech giant could finally be ready to give its budget phone a long-overdue refresh. Today, Apple will launch something new, and if the leaks are to be believed, it will be a new iPhone SE 4.
The iPhone SE 3 hit shelves in 2022 but, while relatively affordable, it always felt like a relic. It had chunky bezels, a honking home button, and a recycled design lifted straight from the iPhone 8 blueprint. The next iteration could give the phone a much-needed upgrade, with rumours suggesting it will feature a larger display, Face ID, a switch to USB-C and a new name that helps it keep in-line with the iPhone 16.
While the phone was first rumoured to launch last week, Apple instead decided to unveil the Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds, and launch of Apple TV+ on Android. With a new launch happening today (19 February), though, it's most likely go time for the latest affordable handset. Here's everything we know so far...
Apple iPhone SE 4 release date
Last week, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced a new launch will take place today (19 February). Cook told fans to 'get ready to meet the newest member of the family'.
While he didn't elaborate further, the newest member of the family is most likely the relatively affordable iPhone SE 4, though, he could also be talking about the 11th-generation iPad, or the rumoured MacBook Air M4, or even a new second-generation AirTag – Apple's got a lot of devices up its sleeve in the coming weeks.
Whatever it is, we should find out sometime today, and all signs right now point to it being a new iPhone SE 4.
Apple iPhone SE 4 price: How much could the handset cost?
The iPhone SE has always been Apple's cheapest iPhone – and we don't expect that to change with the SE 4. That said, it's likely to see a price increase. When it launched in 2022, the iPhone SE 3 started at £419 for the 64GB model, but with iPhone prices creeping up in recent years, the next iteration could follow suit.
For context, the iPhone 14 launched at £779 in 2022, while the iPhone 16 now costs £799 – a £20 increase. The iPhone 16 Pro has jumped by £50 compared to the iPhone 14 Pro, while the Pro Max has seen the steepest rise – £150 more expensive than its 2022 counterpart. If Apple follows a similar pricing trend with the SE 4, the budget iPhone could creep closer to the £450-£500 mark.
That would also put it more in line with the competition. Google's budget handset – the Pixel 8a – launched at £499, while the Samsung Galaxy A55 debuted at £439.
According to a Japanese carrier leak, the iPhone SE 4 could see a $70 price increase in the US, bringing it to $499 – the same price as the Google Pixel 8a. If the UK gets a similar price hike, the iPhone SE 4 could cost £489.
Apple iPhone SE 4 design, display and name
Rumours about the iPhone SE 4's design have been circulating since 2023, with most suggesting that the new budget smartphone will resemble the iPhone 14. At the end of 2023, sources told MacRumors that the next iPhone SE will have the body and display of the base iPhone 14, with a few distinct changes.
According to the publication, the iPhone SE 4 will feature a 6.1in OLED display and a near bezel-less design, similar to the iPhone 14. It will also ditch the home button (and Touch ID) in favour of Face ID. This would be a big upgrade for the smartphone, which has always used a cheaper LCD panel.
The phone could also have a USB-C port, like the iPhone 15 and later models, as well as an action button on the side in place of the mute switch. However, it reportedly won't have a Dynamic Island, instead sticking with the notch. Last month, a video of a dummy unit surfaced online, showing the rumoured iPhone SE 4 with a notch, action button, USB-C port and a single rear camera.
Interestingly, several leakers have also claimed the iPhone SE 4 will be renamed the iPhone 16E, suggesting it could be a more budget-friendly version of the current line-up, potentially supporting Apple Intelligence and featuring the same chipset.
Apple iPhone SE 4 specs and features
That name change seems even more likely when you look at the potential specs of the upcoming handset. New iPhone SE models always come equipped with the latest chipset from the previous year – meaning it could get the iPhone 16's powerful A18 chipset, enabling it to take advantage of Apple Intelligence features. According to Mark Gurman, these features will be available on the iPhone SE 4.
Last year, Gurman also claimed the iPhone SE 4 will be the first iPhone to use a 5G modem manufactured entirely by Apple instead of one from Qualcomm. He says this modem will be more efficient, consume less power, and provide better support for network connections.
Apple iPhone SE 4 camera
While the upcoming iPhone SE 4 is rumoured to feature a significant camera upgrade over the iPhone SE 3, it's still expected to stick with a single-camera system on the rear.
One report suggests it will be equipped with a single 48MP rear camera, the same as the main camera on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16. The iPhone SE 3, by comparison, only has a 12MP rear camera.
The front-facing camera is also expected to see an upgrade, reportedly increasing from a 7MP selfie camera to a 12MP lens.
Of course, everything here should be taken with a pinch of salt – until we hear it from Apple itself, nothing is official. But we're certainly intrigued.
The iPhone 14 is the device the iPhone SE 4 is rumoured to look like most but, unlike the predicted iPhone SE 4's single camera system, the iPhone 14 has a dual-camera setup on the rear. Our tech critic, David Phelan, gave the phone 4.5 out of 5 stars in his review. 'This is a fast and attractive smartphone, with Apple's excellent design and build quality, the now-routine features, such as water resistance and strong screen, and a significantly improved camera,' he said. Now, you can pick up the iPhone 14 with £100 off at Amazon.
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Used and pre-owned: These items are returned by a previous owner and may show signs of wear and tear. Typically, they do not come with a warranty, and often have not been tested to see if they work perfectly. Open-box: Near-new products with little or no signs of wear. These products are quick returns from customers, display models from stores or products with damaged packaging. They may or may not include accessories or warranty. Refurbished: Returned products that are repaired or restored to a like-new condition through part replacement and inspection. Refurbished products are often tested by professionals to make sure they perform as advertised, and typically come with a warranty. Certified refurbished: These are returned products that are repaired or restored with a more intensive inspection and certification process. Certified refurbished products are sold by the original manufacturer or an authorized partner of the manufacturer. They often come with extended warranty and return periods. How I picked the best sites to shop refurbished I focused on marketplaces selling certified refurbished products because they 'meet strict quality standards set by the manufacturer and are often indistinguishable from new products in terms of performance and appearance,' says Russell. I also put emphasis on the following perks: Warranty and return: I highlighted marketplaces that offer a warranty period or return policy in case of any unexpected issues with the product. Product selection: Most popular marketplaces sell a variety of certified refurbished electronics, including smart phones, gaming consoles, home goods and cameras. Accessories: We only chose retailers that include necessary accessories like charging and power cables in the box. The best sites to buy refurbished tech Most of our favorite refurbished retailers are larger online retailers and marketplaces like Apple, Amazon and EBay. Best for Apple products: Apple Certified Refurbished What we like: In-house testing Mint condition products Something to note: Pricier than other storefronts Short return policy If you're looking to save money on Apple products, look into Apple's certified refurbished storefront. Buying directly from Apple means the device has been refurbished and tested by Apple's team, according to the brand. All Apple certified refurbished products come with a new battery, new outer shell and relevant accessories in the box. 'These iPhones typically have the highest level of quality assurance and customer support,' says Russell. All of the certified refurbished products come with free shipping and returns. It's also important to note that Apple's certified refurbished storefront has a limited stock of products, and is often more expensive than other refurbished storefronts. Product offered: Apple products | Warranty: 1 year | Return policy: 14 days | Shipping: free | Conditions offered: mint | Accessories: manufacturer included Best shopping experience: Back Market What we like: Easy to use website Great product selection Something to note: Nothing at this time Back Market is an online storefront that only sells certified refurbished tech products — that makes it easier to navigate than most other storefronts. Brands and products are sensibly organized, and you can easily select the condition and configuration of most devices on the site. That means instead of having to scroll through a huge list of iPads, I can easily select one model and choose my preferred color and spec options from there. I was sent a refurbished iPad Air (4th Generation) from Back Market to try out. Labeled as 'excellent' condition, it felt like a brand-new product to me. It had no visible blemishes, knicks or scratches, had a healthy battery and performed as expected, and continues to work great after two years of use. Most items on Back Market are sold through third-party sellers who pass Back Market's screening process. Back Market also has a specific certified renewed page for products that are refurbished and sold directly from manufacturers. Best warranty: EBay Certified Refurbished What we like: Huge selection of products Long warranty Something to note: Nothing at this time You might associate eBay with bidding on used items, but the storefront now has many new ways to shop including its certified refurbished program, which sells electronics, household tools, cameras and sporting goods, to name a few. These items come with a two year Allstate SquareTrade warranty — it's a third-party warranty, but the longest of our top picks. EBay also has a lengthy 30-day return policy. All of its certified refurbished products are in 'pristine, like-new' condition, according to the brand. Product offered: electronics, home goods, auto parts, etc. | Warranty: 2 years, third party | Return policy: 30 days | Shipping: free | Conditions offered: pristine like-new | Accessories: original or new, generic included Widest product selection: Amazon Renewed What we like: Wide product selection Generous return policy Something to note: No manufacturer warranty Hard to navigate website Amazon Renewed has a huge selection of certified refurbished electronics including smartphones, earbuds, office products and cameras. All products sold on Amazon Renewed are professionally inspected and tested to ensure they work as expected by an Amazon performance-managed supplier, according to the brand. Amazon Renewed hosts many third-party sellers, but Amazon ensures that their third-party sellers meet certain criteria to sell on Amazon Renewed. Amazon Renewed products do not come with manufacturer warranty. Instead, they come with either a one year or 90 day return policy, depending on the item's condition. Product offered: electronics, home goods, outdoor tools, etc. | Warranty: n/a | Return policy: one year for premium condition products, 90 days for all other conditions | Shipping: Varies | Conditions offered: premium, excellent, good, acceptable | Accessories: generic or original manufacturer included Other places to shop certified refurbished Samsung Certified Re-Newed What we like: In-house testing and parts Something to note: Pricier than other storefronts Samsung sells older generations of their popular Galaxy smartphones refurbished via its Certified Re-Newed page. Like Apple certified refurbished, these smartphones are refurbished by Samsung, in a Samsung facility, with Samsung parts, according to the brand. All Samsung Re-Newed products come with a one year warranty and a 28-day free return period. Best Buy Geek Squad Certified Refurbished What we like: In-house refurbishing Home or store delivery options Something to note: Possible restocking fees All of Best Buy's Geek Squad certified refurbished products are refurbished by Best Buy staff. The retailer sells electronics like Apple products, headphones and computer accessories and you can ship items to your address or a nearby Best Buy store. Walmart Restored What we like: Wide product categories Competitive prices Something to note: No manufacturer warranty Hard to navigate website Similar to Amazon Renewed, Walmart Restored sells certified refurbished products that have been handled by third party sellers who are accepted and managed by Walmart. Only a select group of Walmart sellers can participate in the program, according to the brand's FAQ page. The brand sells products across categories like tech, appliances and TVs. How to shop for refurbished tech One of the main reasons we focused on certified refurbished tech is confidence. Certified refurbished tech undergoes a more intensive repair and inspection process than returned, open-box and other used conditions. When shopping for certified refurbished products Russell recommends you: Choose a reputable seller: Many marketplaces host third-party sellers with customer reviews you can read. Look for sellers with lots of positive, recent reviews. Check the item's condition: Most marketplaces sell items in different conditions ranging from fair to excellent, although the specific wording may vary. Read up on what these cosmetic conditions mean for each marketplace. Check the age of the product: Old tech products, especially smartphones that rely on software updates, can have issues running current software and hardware, says Russell. This might lead to reduced longevity and more everyday issues over time. 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