iPhone SE 4 shapes up to be an interesting flagship killer: All leaks gathered so far

The iPhone SE, which is in its third generation avatar, is a sweet entry into the elite iPhone club but it is far from perfect. Based on 2017’s iPhone 8, the phone looks dated and is largely impractical in an age of large screen phones with big batteries. With the iPhone 13’s A15 Bionic chip, it has all the performance one expects from a midrange phone but the 5G connectivity is a major hog on the puny battery. However, Apple is probably reconsidering the idea of the iPhone SE and it is shaping up to be an interesting one.

Based on the recent rumours from Ross Young, DSCC, the iPhone SE 4th Gen is said to have an LCD display measuring 6.1-inches and a notch on the top. While that is good news for the existing crop of iPhone SE users, it also means that the iPhone SE 4 could be a recycled version of the iPhone XR from 2018.

iPhone SE 4 = 2018 iPhone XR?

Yes, it is not a new trend from Apple. The iPhone SE has always been a culmination of recycled parts from phased out Apple iPhones. The original iPhone SE was based on 2013’s iPhone 5S whereas the iPhone SE 2nd Gen and 3rd Gen models were based on the iPhone 8. It is only logical that Apple reuses the iPhone XR’s chassis for the next generation model.

iPhone SE 4: What can we expect then?

- To be honest, the iPhone SE 4 could be an exact replica of the iPhone XR, save for a few necessary changes. The rumours suggest the absence of the Face ID sensor on the iPhone SE and Apple could rely on a power key mounted Touch ID sensor to cut the costs.

- The display on the iPhone SE 4 is said to be a 6.1-inch LCD display with the notch. Hence, it could be the only iPhone in the lineup to skip on the OLED display. That means the Dynamic Island could also skip the iPhone XR.

- The Touch ID sensor on the power key could also make this the only iPhone with the fingerprint sensor.

- Apple could announce the iPhone SE 4 with the USB-C port, which is now mandated for phones selling in the EU from the late 2024. This could bump up the costs as well.

- Apple could also upgrade the chipset. If the phone launches in 2024, Apple could give the iPhone SE 4 the iPhone 15’s chipset, which is expected to be the A16 Bionic chip. Hence, the overall performance is largely expected to remain the same.

- Apple may leave the battery capacity unchanged on the iPhone SE 4 from the iPhone XR and that may still be a good thing, given that the iPhone XR was a battery champ in its heydays. This itself would be a big upgrade for existing iPhone SE users.

- The iPhone SE 4 could continue to have a single rear camera and may use the Photonic Engine to offer better overall performance.