Updated Feb. 10 with more details of dates and what to expect from the new iPhone.
The iPhone SE is the most affordable iPhone. You can buy the third-generation model right now for $429 (unless you live in the EU, Switzerland or Northern Ireland, where it was removed from sale last year because it has a Lightning connector on board). A new model is coming, which will be unlike any previous iPhone in the SE range. Here’s your guide to what’s happening when.
iPhone SE 4th Generation: Why It’s Unique
Previous SE models have had designs identical to earlier iPhones, topped up with the latest processor. So, the first-gen looked like the iPhone 5s, and the second and third models resembled the iPhone 8, but with much faster chips.
The next model, it’s thought, will be somewhat based on the look of the iPhone 14 but, for the first time in the SE range, it will have an entirely original design. Unlike the iPhone 14 with its dual rear cameras, the iPhone SE on the way will likely have just one camera, but much more powerful than the iPhone 14 mustered.
And it will be a first in other ways: it’ll be the first SE that has an all-screen front, with an OLED display and with Face ID instead of Touch ID. Inside, it should have a processor capable of Apple Intelligence, and it will debut new Apple tech including the company’s first in-house modem.
iPhone SE 4th Generation First Contact: Any Minute Now
“Apple announces the new iPhone SE this week,” according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter. If that seems awful early to you, I agree. I’d have expected the next iPhone SE to go on sale in March or April, so next week is too soon for it to be unveiled. Mind you, that’s not what Gurman said. Perhaps there’s some wiggle room in the word “announces”.
And the lack of an iPhone SE in the European Union countries and more may have encouraged Apple to step on the gas and get the new model (which will swap Lightning for USB-C and so can be sold in the EU) ready for market sooner.
Plus, earlier sales mean more user data from the all-new modem, which will be useful when deciding which iPhone 17 models to put it in. Even so, I still think the unveiling won’t be this week.
iPhone SE 4th Generation Unveiling: This Week Or Next
Let’s work backwards to get a better idea of the schedule. “The company expects to announce the device as early as next week, ahead of it going on sale later in the month, according to people with knowledge of the matter,” Gurman said in a separate report.
A February onsale date means a Friday and there are three of those: Feb. 14, Feb. 21 and Feb. 28. There’s no way it could be the first of those as Apple likes to open pre-sales a week before (and that didn’t happen).
My gut tells me Feb. 28 is the onsale date, pre-sales a week before. Which means the reveal is likely set for the week before that, perhaps Tuesday, Feb. 18 or Wednesday, Feb. 19. Gurman’s suggestion of w/c Feb. 10 is possible, it really seems too soon.
iPhone SE 4th Generation Pre-Sales Open: Friday, Feb. 14 or Friday, Feb. 21.
Apple doesn’t like to be predictable, but it also likes to offer customers time to buy in advance. If there’s an early reveal, it could mean pre-sales opening on Valentine’s Day (and what a lovely thing to buy your secret love).
However, I’m thinking Friday, Feb. 21 is more likely.
iPhone SE 4th Generation Release Date: Friday, Feb. 21 or Friday, Feb. 28
It could be either of the above, but I’m overwhelmingly plumping for the second of these: Friday, Feb. 28.
I’ll be updating this post as soon as there’s more information.
