Apple's Phone SE 4 will surprise with new display and top cameras, report claims

It'll also reportedly have Apple's new A18 chip.
By Stan Schroeder  on 
Apple iPhone 14 sitting on a wooden table.
The new iPhone SE 4 might look a little something like the iPhone 14. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashabkle

Apple is working on a new version of its most affordable phone, and it might be surprisingly good this time around.

According to 9to5Mac, which cites a source familiar with the matter, Apple's new iPhone SE 4 will have a new, modern look, with a notch on top. The OLED display will have a 1,170 x 2,532 pixel resolution, and it will probably be similar in size to the 6.1-inch display on the iPhone 14.

Yes, this also means that the iPhone SE 4 will lose the Home Button and get Face ID biometric recognition. While I personally am a little nostalgic about the Home Button, I do have to admit that Face ID works well and it's better to just get rid of the button and expand the display.

The iPhone SE 4 will also come with Apple's A18 chip — the same chip that powers the company's new iPhone 16 and 16 Plus phones.

Mashable Light Speed
Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?
Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!

Furthermore — and this is perhaps the biggest surprise — the iPhone SE 4 will come with the same 48-megapixel rear camera, and the 12-megapixel front camera as you get on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. You will not, however, get additional cameras on the back; you'll have to make do with just a single rear camera.

Finally, the iPhone SE 4 will reportedly be the first phone to feature Apple's first 5G modem. This is notable as Apple acquired Intel's modem business back in 2019 to built its own modems, but nothing came out of it so far (Apple's iPhones still use Qualcomm modems). This should also have additional benefits to end users, as Apple's modem, which will handle 5G, Bluetooth, and WiFi connectivity, should be better integrated with Apple's hardware, resulting in better battery life.

While we have heard some of these details before, including Face ID support, and the new OLED display, the part about the cameras and the modem is new.

If all of this sounds exciting, we've got a bit of a downer for you: The iPhone SE 4 is unlikely to arrive this year. Instead, Apple will probably launch it in spring 2025.

Topics Apple iPhone

Stan Schroeder
Stan Schroeder
Senior Editor

Stan is a Senior Editor at Mashable, where he has worked since 2007. He's got more battery-powered gadgets and band t-shirts than you. He writes about the next groundbreaking thing. Typically, this is a phone, a coin, or a car. His ultimate goal is to know something about everything.


Recommended For You

Remember the legendary iMac G4? Apple's smart display might look just like it
Apple iMac G4

LG has a stretchable display that can expand by 50 percent
LG stretchable display

Apple is working on a smart display with robotic arm, report says
Apple iPad

Amazon's new Echo Show has a massive, 21-inch display
Amazon Echo Show

More in Tech
How to watch Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers online
The end zone on a football field

How to watch Miami Dolphins vs. Houston Texans online
The end zone on a football field

How to watch Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants online
An NFL football field.

How to watch New York Jets vs. Jacksonville Jaguars online
The end zone on a football field

How to watch Washington Commanders vs. New Orleans Saints online
A football on a field

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 15, 2024
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 15
a phone displaying Wordle


NYT Strands hints, answers for December 15
A game being played on a smartphone.

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!