Remember when Apple launched the first iPhone SE in March of 2016? During that time, Apple was selling five iPhone models, including:
- iPhone SE (1st gen): $399
- iPhone 6s: $649
- iPhone 6s Plus: $749
- iPhone 6: $549
- iPhone 6 Plus: $649
All of them launched with a base 16GB storage option, and these prices are for unlocked models. The iPhone SE almost mirrored the iPhone 6s internally, with an older iPhone 5s design in order to replace it. It had almost all of the features and performance of the iPhone 6s including Live Photos, 4K Video Recording, faster A9 chipset, and more. Interestingly, the battery life on the iPhone SE is slightly better than the iPhone 6s, even though it’s a smaller iPhone. This could be due to fewer pixels on the iPhone SE as it does not have an HD Display.
The main differences between the two devices were the absence of 3D Touch along with a barometer, a lower contrast ratio, and the lack of a few advanced features like second-gen Touch ID, Auto HDR for videos, Dual-domain pixels for wide viewing angles, and LTE Advanced. Still, for a fraction of the price, the iPhone SE delivered almost everything the 6s did—and this left the iPhone 6 in an awkward position.
At that point, consumers could either choose the iPhone 6 with its newer design at a higher price, or opt for the cheaper SE with better performance, including a faster processor, double the RAM, and a camera that could shoot in 4K. Despite being the best-selling iPhone ever, with over 220 million units sold, the iPhone 6 couldn’t compete with the value proposition of the SE, if you look past the design aspect.
Now, as rumors circulate that Apple will release a new iPhone SE 4 next year, we might see a similar dynamic play out with the iPhone 15.
The iPhone SE 4 Could Shake Up Apple’s Lineup:
The new SE is supposed to feature Apple’s latest A18 chip, 8GB of RAM, single 48MP Camera, an OLED Display, and an iPhone 13/14-like design. Let’s assume that the price for a 128GB model would start at $499, while the base iPhone 14 starts at $599, and the base iPhone 15 starts at $699.
If we compare the iPhone 15 to the upcoming iPhone SE 4, we can see that both have a few advantages over each other.
iPhone 15:
- Brighter Display
- Dynamic Island
- An additional 12MP Ultra-Wide lens
- 5G mmWave (whereas the SE 4 may only support sub-6GHz 5G)
iPhone SE 4:
- Newer A18 chipset with Ray Tracing (versus A16 on the iPhone 15)
- 8GB of RAM (versus 6GB on iPhone 15)
- Support for Apple Intelligence
- Apple’s own custom 5G modem
It’s important to note that these are all rumors and speculations, and some information might not end up in the final product.
If you’re in the market for a new iPhone, the SE 4 will be the way to go if you don’t mind having a slightly older design with a notch, and not having an Ultra Wide lens. This will leave the iPhone 15 in the same position as the iPhone 6 was in 2016, where the design is new, but the internals are not, making the SE look like an enticing option for its price.
Could Apple Streamline Its Lineup?
Apple might do away with the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus and replace it with the new SE in order to simplify the lineup.
Macotakara recently posted images of dummy units that included a Plus iPhone SE model, which could make the lineup even more complicated.
Parker Ortolani made a post on X which is quite plausible if this ended up being true.
According to Parker, “It actually would make a lot of sense for there be two sizes. If they wanted the whole lineup to be Apple Intelligence compatible, they would have to drop the 14, 15, 14 Plus, and 15 Plus. And all of the hardware changes almost certainly mean a price hike anyway for the SE.
So what’s to say they don’t replace all five low end models with just two SE models? Maybe at $499 for the 6.1” and $599 for the 6.7” with a bunch of storage tiers?”
If this takes place, it would change the entire iPhone lineup, where Apple will only be selling the iPhone SE, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Pro in two sizes each. However, this would also mean that many third-party retailers will have to let go of older iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 stock at rock-bottom prices and bear the losses, as not many people will be willing to buy an older iPhone when a new, cheaper, and better model is in the market.
The Final Question: Design or Technology?
In the end, it may come down to a simple choice: would you prefer a newer design or the latest technology at a lower price? We’ll have to wait and see how Apple’s 2025 lineup shapes up, but it’s clear that the iPhone SE 4 will definitely be an enticing option. Let us know your thoughts in the comments or tweet us at @appleosophy. Be sure to download the Appleosophy App from the App Store or visit our website to stay updated with the latest Apple News and Deals!
