The iPhone SE was originally introduced in March 2016, and it has gone through three generations so far with the latest being introduced in March of last year. That model retained the same design as that of the iPhone 8, but it brought 5G connectivity and the more modern A15 chip. It has been the most affordable model in Apple’s iPhone lineup, retailing starting at $429.
Rumors have speculated when the next generation iPhone SE will debut; however, Barclays analysts Blayne Curtis and Tom O’Malley reported that Apple is unlikely to introduce the fourth generation iPhone SE next year. According to a research note shared with MacRumors, Apple made this decision to postpone that device’s release because production for its in-house 5G modem would not be ready by then.
Back in April, Ming-Chi Kuo stated that mass production of Apple-designed modems would start as soon as 2025, which could indicate that next year’s iPhone 16 lineup will continue to use Qualcomm modems. Ming-Chi Kuo expected the next-generation iPhone SE to borrow the same design cues found in the standard iPhone 14, so we could see a larger 6.1-inch OLED display and Face ID for the first time on an iPhone SE. However, plans for launching this device with a Qualcomm modem have remained in the air.
