In 2022, Apple launched the third generation of the iPhone SE. A completely revised successor was previously expected for 2024, now the start seems unclear.
After a four-year hiatus, the iPhone SE series 2020 was breathed new life. The second generation of the smartphone was largely based on the iPhone 8, but came with the latest chip and new camera. The iPhone SE 3 followed in 2022, which in turn was only a small update compared to its predecessor. For 2024, industry insiders have so far assumed that the series will be completely overhauled with the SE 4 – with a completely new design. However, new information indicates that Apple is no longer planning to continue the popular series.
Apple wanted to use the iPhone SE 4 as a guinea pig
The usually well-informed analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (72.5 percent accuracy according to Apple track) already reported in December 2022 that Apple could postpone the iPhone SE 4 or even cancel it entirely. The reason for this is the sales figures for the lower to high mid-range smartphones iPhone SE 3, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 14 Plus, which fell short of expectations. Kuo also cites manufacturing costs as a possible reason. For the iPhone SE of the second and third generation, Apple largely used components from the iPhone 8 in order to be able to lower the selling price.
In a post on the online publication platform “medium“ Kuo confirms his prediction that there will be no new iPhone SE. Accordingly, Apple has informed its suppliers that “production and delivery plans for the iPhone SE 4 2024 have been canceled instead of delayed”. The company is currently working on its own baseband chip in order to become independent of the previous chip supplier Qualcomm in the long term. According to Kuo, Apple plans to use its own chip in the iPhone SE first in 2024 to test its usability. Only after successful use should the chip have come to the iPhone 16. He further writes: “[…] the cancellation of the iPhone SE 4 has the chance of Qualcomm, the exclusive supplier of baseband chips for […] to remain the new iPhone 16 series is significantly improved.”
iPhone SE 4 should get XR design
According to a tweet by analyst Ross Young (92.9 percent accuracy according to Apple Track), Apple plans to introduce a redesigned iPhone SE in 2024. The smartphone should have a display size between 5.7 and 6.1 inches and be based on LCD technology instead of OLED.
Leaker Jon Prosser (69.1 percent accuracy according to Apple Track) also has insider information that the iPhone SE 4 should have a similar design to the iPhone XR. The iPhone XR still had rounded case sides, while the current iPhone models had a very angular design. In the past, the iPhone SE was always based on older iPhone generations and used their components to reduce manufacturing costs.