Apple CEO Tim Cook has officially confirmed the long-awaited arrival of the iPhone SE 4, set to be unveiled on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. The announcement, made via social media, was accompanied by a short teaser video, sparking excitement among Apple enthusiasts and budget-conscious consumers alike.
This latest iteration of the iPhone SE is expected to bring a major design overhaul, making it one of the most significant updates to Apple’s affordable smartphone series. With the SE lineup often serving as an entry point into the iOS ecosystem, the iPhone SE 4 is poised to offer premium features at a more accessible price.
A Long-Awaited Refresh for Budget iPhone Users
The iPhone SE series has historically catered to users who prefer a more compact form factor and a lower price tag, but the SE 4 is expected to break away from its predecessor’s dated design. Leaks suggest that Apple is finally retiring the home button, aligning the SE 4’s aesthetics with the modern iPhone lineup.
Apple’s teaser video has fueled speculation that the device will feature a design inspired by the iPhone 14, marking a departure from the classic iPhone 8-style form factor that previous SE models retained. If rumors hold true, this will be the first iPhone SE model to adopt Face ID, eliminating Touch ID and the large bezels.
Strategic Timing and Market Impact
The February 19 event aligns with Apple’s traditional spring product launch schedule, reinforcing the company’s predictable release cycle. This also places the iPhone SE 4’s debut ahead of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June, where software takes center stage.
With global smartphone competition intensifying, Apple’s decision to release a feature-packed yet affordable iPhone signals its strategy to compete with mid-range Android devices while maintaining its dominance in emerging markets. The iPhone SE 4 is expected to appeal to users upgrading from older models like the iPhone 7, 8, or previous SE versions.
Apple has scheduled early hands-on reviews to begin shortly after the official announcement, with pre-orders likely opening within days. The device is expected to hit store shelves by late February 2025.
Specifications
- Display: 6.1-inch OLED, likely 60Hz refresh rate
- Processor: A18 Bionic chip (expected to match iPhone 16 performance)
- Camera: 48MP single rear camera, 12MP front-facing camera
- Biometrics: Face ID (removes Touch ID)
- Design: Resembles iPhone 14, edge-to-edge display, no home button
- Connectivity: Apple’s in-house 5G modem (likely excludes mmWave support)
- Operating System: iOS 18 out of the box
- Battery Life: Improved efficiency due to A18 chip, estimated all-day battery
- Charging & Ports: USB-C replaces Lightning
- Price: Expected around $499–$549
Key Takeaways
- The iPhone SE 4 will be officially revealed on February 19, 2025
- Apple plans to release the device for purchase by late February
- The new model continues Apple’s strategy of offering budget-friendly iPhone options
iPhone SE 4 Launch On February 19, 2025
Apple’s upcoming iPhone SE 4 marks a significant shift in the budget iPhone lineup with major design changes and technical improvements. The device brings premium features to the SE series while maintaining its position as an accessible entry point to the iPhone ecosystem.
Apple CEO Tim Cook’s Announcement
Tim Cook announced a special Apple event scheduled for Wednesday, February 19, 2025. The announcement breaks from recent SE launch traditions, which typically occurred through press releases.
The CEO’s choice to host a dedicated event signals the strategic importance of this SE model refresh. This marks the first formal Apple event for an SE device since the original 2016 model launch.
Event Highlights
The February 19th event will take place at Apple Park in Cupertino. The presentation will stream live on Apple’s website and YouTube channel at 10 AM PST.
Apple has sent media invitations featuring a minimalist design with the tagline “A New Touch.” This hints at potential changes to the device’s authentication system.
The event focuses exclusively on the iPhone SE 4, unlike typical Apple events that showcase multiple products.
Key Features and Upgrades
The new iPhone SE 4 features a 6.1-inch OLED display, replacing the previous LCD screen. This represents the largest screen size in SE history.
Major Hardware Changes:
- A18 Bionic chip for enhanced performance
- USB-C port adoption
- Removal of the Home button
- Face ID integration
- Improved battery capacity
The device retains its aluminum frame but adopts a design similar to the iPhone 14. The camera system receives significant upgrades, including improved low-light performance and additional photography features.
Battery life extends up to 2 hours longer than the previous SE model through efficiency improvements and a larger battery cell.
Technical Specifications and Design
The iPhone SE 4 marks a significant design shift from its predecessors, featuring a modern 6.1-inch OLED display, powerful A18 chip, and USB-C connectivity. The device integrates premium features while maintaining a competitive price point.
Design Overview
The iPhone SE 4 adopts a sleek design inspired by the iPhone 14, featuring flat aluminum sides and a glass back. The familiar Home button disappears in favor of a notched display design with Face ID integration.
The device measures 5.8 inches tall by 2.8 inches wide, making it comfortable for one-handed use. The aluminum frame comes in four colors: Midnight, Starlight, Product RED, and Rose Gold.
A centered Apple logo adorns the glass back panel, which supports wireless charging and MagSafe compatibility.
Display and Camera
The 6.1-inch OLED display brings significant improvements with 2532 x 1170 resolution at 460 PPI. The screen supports HDR content and True Tone technology for accurate color reproduction.
The main camera features a 48MP sensor with advanced computational photography capabilities. Users can capture 4K video at 60fps and take advantage of Photonic Engine for enhanced low-light performance.
The front-facing 12MP TrueDepth camera enables Face ID authentication and supports Center Stage for video calls.
Performance and Storage
The A18 chipset powers the iPhone SE 4, delivering performance comparable to flagship models. The neural engine handles AI tasks and powers new iOS 18 features.
Storage options include:
- 128GB base model
- 256GB mid-tier
- 512GB maximum capacity
8GB of RAM ensures smooth multitasking and app switching.
Connectivity and Accessories
The USB-C port replaces Lightning, supporting faster data transfer speeds up to 10Gbps and quick charging capabilities.
Key connectivity features:
- 5G support (sub-6GHz and mmWave)
- Wi-Fi 6E compatibility
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Ultra Wideband chip
MagSafe support enables:
- 15W wireless charging
- Magnetic attachment for accessories
- Compatibility with Apple’s MagSafe wallet and battery pack
Frequently Asked Questions
The upcoming iPhone SE 4 brings significant updates to Apple’s budget-friendly smartphone lineup, featuring a larger display and enhanced capabilities compared to its predecessor.
What are the new features in the iPhone SE 4?
The iPhone SE 4 features a 6.1-inch OLED display, marking a significant upgrade from previous SE models.
The device adopts a modern design language similar to recent iPhone models.
Face ID replaces Touch ID for biometric authentication.
How does the iPhone SE 4 compare to the previous iPhone SE model?
The new SE 4 represents a major redesign from the iPhone SE 3, moving away from the dated iPhone 8-style body.
The screen size increases from 4.7 inches to 6.1 inches.
The device transitions from LCD to OLED technology for improved visual quality.
What price point has Apple set for the iPhone SE 4?
Price details remain unconfirmed ahead of the February 19 launch.
Industry analysts predict pricing between $429-$499 to maintain the SE line’s position as an entry-level iPhone option.
Which carriers will support the iPhone SE 4 at launch?
The iPhone SE 4 will be compatible with all major U.S. carriers including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.
5G connectivity comes standard on all models.
What improvements in battery life can be expected with the iPhone SE 4?
The larger form factor allows for a bigger battery capacity than previous SE models.
Battery life estimates suggest up to 15 hours of video playback.
Can current iPhone accessories be used with the iPhone SE 4?
The iPhone SE 4 uses USB-C charging, compatible with existing USB-C accessories.
Cases and screen protectors from previous SE models will not fit due to the new design.
MagSafe accessories work with the SE 4, adding compatibility with magnetic chargers and accessories.
