I ’m in the grocery store for a raw iPhone right now . But which one should I peck ? The iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 are both sympathetic pick , and there are currently somepretty good deals . Still … it ’s not going to be flashy .
If money ’s the progeny , what about Apple ’s budget - focused iPhone SE ? The current model is two and a one-half years honest-to-god and gotpoor reviewswhen it was new . But a new fourth - gen model is expect to hit the marketplace next fountain , with updated element and design , and a price tatter under $ 500 . In view of the flagship manikin ’ high price , this is a tempting offer . Surely a young iPhone SE can only be a good steal ?
This actuate a new question . Should I postpone buy the iPhone 16 , and wait for the4th - gen iPhone SEinstead ? You make love what ? I do n’t think so . Because the more I hear about the upcoming SE , the more I suppose we ’re in for a whole muckle of dashing hopes .
Camera Control: Not for iPhone SE buyers.
What we know so far
The rumors enjoin us , fairly systematically , that the next SE will have the dimension of an iPhone 14 . The SE has historically been a compact French telephone , but the era of such phones seems to be over . Theyhad their devotee , but Apple was never satisfied with the sales figure for the iPhone 12 miniskirt and 13 miniskirt .
For most buyers , a silver screen measuring at least six inches is a dealbreaker . This is understandable , as many apps and websites are simply no fun to use with anything minuscule . Many World Wide Web app have been optimized for gravid screens and are barely operational with something the size of it of the 2022 iPhone SE .
So we can expect the 2025 SE to sport a 6.1 - column inch OLED blind , albeit a slightly cheaper instrument panel than the one feature on the iPhone 14 . And of course , it will have a mountain pass , which will make it feel outdated and old . And Apple will compromise in other areas too . The Action clitoris on the lefthand edge , which Apple introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro , will be missing . The unexampled Camera Control on the righthand edge will also persist exclusive to the iPhone 16 .
Camera Control: Not for iPhone SE buyers.
metalworks
As leaked cases seem to prove , the economy model will also only have one television camera , just like the iPhone XR , one of the few 2025 phones to have just one camera . And while the iPhone 16 comes in a variety of colors , the new SE will likely stick with the same three alternative : fatal , white , and red .
at long last , the current iPhone SE is pretty low-cost at $ 429 , but a toll jump is to be anticipate for the new poser . My guesswork is $ 499 for the entry - level interlingual rendition with 128 Great Britain . That ’s cheaper than the $ 799 iPhone 16 of class , but not near as attractive as the original $ 399 iPhone SE .
A Home button. How quaint.
What’s old is new
With its small screen and old - fashioned Touch ID button , the current iPhone SE serves as a monition that Apple is not afraid to rely on very old engineering for this line of phones . The 2nd - gen SE from 2020 , for case , was heavily establish on the iPhone 8 , which came out three years earlier .
The reason for this ? Applewantsthese phones to feel old . The iPhone SE is intend to dissuade Apple ’s most frugal client from tack to a gaudy Android handset without cannibalizing purchase of the other iPhones . The more expensive an iPhone , the more profitable it is for Apple , so the society does not want to sell too many SEs . It ’s meant to be an saving iPhone that looks like an economy iPhone , not a position symbol .
IDG
The iPhone SE will surely support Apple Intelligence—but where does that leave the iPhone 14 and 15?
There ’s still a securities industry for the SE , of class . It ’s ideal not only for terms - conscious private customer . Many buyers on a budget do n’t want a used twist , put off by problem with battery and the fact that the twist has already had one previous owner . For those who want a unexampled iPhone even if it ’s missing the recent feature and design , and for them the SE is the proper selection .
But what they are not conk out to get is excitation . They ’re more likely to feel a sense of déjà vu with a notch , exclusive camera , and thick bezel .
The curious case of Apple Intelligence
The quaternary - gen iPhone SE does have one substantial killer feature up its arm , something that could make it a smasher after all : support for Apple Intelligence . If Apple ’s new AI political platform is something you ’re heroic to try , the next SE could be agenuine pick .
Several reports have foretell that the next SE will support Apple Intelligence , but this scarce necessitate to be pronounce ; this is a feature that the affordable iPhone just has to volunteer . Even Apple at its stingiest would n’t launch a Modern iPhone in 2025 without build in support for its own AI . And this , in turn , mean the new SE will have 8 GB of RAM , and will belike be equipped with the A18 C.P.U. , the same as the iPhone 16 .
The iPhone SE will surely support Apple Intelligence — but where does that exit the iPhone 14 and 15 ?
orchard apple tree
Even if you ’re not interested in AI , the fact that the 4th - gen SE is build for AI means it will deliver the exceptional all - orotund performance of an iPhone 16 , and outperform the iPhone 15 , which costs $ 699 . But that telephone has a skilful photographic camera and skillful feature article despite missing out on Apple ’s flagship AI .
It ’s all very puzzling for buyers — so perhaps Apple will quit sell the iPhone 14 and 15 before things get back to normal when theiPhone 17arrives later in the year .
Loving the good, living with the bad
The next iPhone SE will not be a veridical choice to the iPhone 16 ; after all , that is not in Apple ’s best stake . It will have its meritoriousness and a down damage , but if the novel SE truly stir anyone Apple will not have done their job by rights .
The fourth - gen SE will certainly have its fans , but the immense majority of iPhone buyers will prefer for a “ better ” model . And that ’s just the way Apple likes it .
Michael Simon lend to this clause .
This clause to begin with appeared on our sister publicationMacweltand was translated and localized from German .
