iPhone SE 4: Expected Price and What’s Changing
Apple’s current third-generation iPhone SE remains the company’s most affordable iPhone, starting at $429. However, attention is now shifting toward the next-generation model, the iPhone SE 4, which is expected to launch in spring 2025. Despite a major redesign and several upgraded features, Apple is still aiming to keep it as the lowest-cost option in the iPhone lineup.
Expected Price Range
The iPhone SE 4 is expected to remain positioned as a budget-friendly iPhone, with pricing likely to stay:
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Around $429 (same as current model), or
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Up to a ~10% increase, depending on configuration and market conditions
Even with a potential price bump, most reports suggest Apple is targeting a sub-$500 starting price, keeping it firmly in the affordable segment of the iPhone lineup.
Why Apple Can Keep the Price Low
Despite expected upgrades, Apple is reportedly able to control costs through supply chain strategies.
One key reason is display sourcing:
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The iPhone SE 4 is expected to use lower-cost OLED panels
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These panels may be based on older iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 display technology
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Using established designs reduces manufacturing and R&D costs for suppliers
Because of this, Apple can introduce OLED technology in the SE lineup without significantly raising production costs compared to flagship models like the iPhone 15 series.
Major Design Changes
The iPhone SE 4 is expected to receive one of its biggest redesigns yet, moving closer to modern iPhone aesthetics.
Anticipated changes include:
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A design similar to the iPhone 14
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Removal of the Home button and Touch ID
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Introduction of Face ID with a notch display
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Larger screen size, increasing from 4.7 inches to 6.1 inches
This marks a major shift away from the older iPhone SE design language.
Expected Hardware Upgrades
Along with the design overhaul, the iPhone SE 4 is expected to gain several modern features:
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OLED display (replacing LCD)
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USB-C port
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Action Button support
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Updated internal performance improvements
These changes would bring the SE closer to Apple’s mainstream iPhone lineup in terms of usability and features.
Position in Apple’s Lineup
The iPhone SE series is designed to serve as Apple’s entry-level option, offering core iPhone functionality at a lower price. Even with upgrades like OLED displays and Face ID, Apple is expected to keep the SE 4 clearly below flagship pricing tiers.
This helps maintain a clear distinction between:
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Budget iPhone SE models
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Mid-range standard iPhones
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Premium Pro models
Final Thoughts
The iPhone SE 4 is shaping up to be a major redesign that modernizes Apple’s most affordable iPhone while still maintaining its budget-focused pricing strategy. Even with features like Face ID, OLED display, and USB-C, Apple is expected to keep the starting price under $500, likely close to the current $429 level or slightly higher.
Overall, the SE 4 looks set to offer a significant value upgrade while preserving its role as the entry point into the iPhone ecosystem.