Rumor mill: Apple is expected to launch the fourth-generation iPhone SE soon, succeeding the iPhone SE 3, which debuted in 2022. Rumors have already hinted at several key features of the upcoming device, with the latest suggesting a potential release in March 2025 featuring a custom Apple-designed modem.
The iPhone SE 4 is expected to be unveiled at the end of the first quarter of 2025. According to a research note from Barclays analyst Tom O’Malley, the device will be the first iPhone to feature an “Apple-designed 5G modem.” Earlier rumors suggested that Apple’s first in-house modem, codenamed Centauri, will be manufactured using a TSMC process node.
Apple has exclusively relied on Qualcomm modems in its iPhones for the last several years, and went with an Intel modem in select iPhone X models in 2017. However, following a legal battle with Qualcomm over royalties and patents, Apple began developing its own modem technology in 2018.
An earlier report suggests that the so-called iPhone 17 Air will also feature Apple’s in-house 5G modem. As production scales up, Apple is expected to transition the rest of its flagship iPhone lineup to its own modems, but it remains unclear if this shift will occur before Apple’s agreement with Qualcomm expires in 2026.
The iPhone SE 4 is rumored to sport a more modern design, shedding the prominent bezels of the iPhone SE 3. It is expected to feature a 6.1-inch display with a notch at the top, akin to the iPhone 14. Reports also suggest the device will forgo Touch ID in favor of Face ID, aligning with Apple’s newer iPhone models. However, this change might not sit well with traditionalists who still prefer a fingerprint scanner over facial recognition.
On the hardware front, the fourth-generation iPhone SE is likely to ship with the A18 processor and 8GB of RAM. These upgrades indicate the device may support Apple Intelligence, potentially one of its key selling points. Additionally, reports suggest the iPhone SE 4 will feature a single rear-facing camera equipped with a 48MP sensor.
Image credit: 91Mobiles
