iPhone SE 4 could be iPhone 14 plus plus, if price holds it would be game-changer for Indian consumers

Rumours are coming in thick and fast and they hint at the iPhone SE 4 being a better phone than the iPhone 14. This, if the price of the iPhone SE 4 is right, could be a game-changer.

In Short

• Apple is expected to launch the new iPhone SE 4 in early 2025
• The new gen iPhone SE is rumoured to feature OLED display
• Apple is also likely to give its iPhone SE 4 design elements from iPhone 14

Apple is expected to launch the next generation of its budget-friendly iPhone SE in early 2025. While there's nothing official from Apple yet, industry speculations suggest that the iPhone SE 4 is coming soon with significant upgrades over the 2022 iPhone SE. These include better cameras, a bigger screen, a faster processor, and potentially Apple's AI suite with Apple Intelligence. Some rumours even hint that the fourth-generation SE will be heavily inspired by the iPhone 14 in terms of design, display, camera and more. And that, if rumours come true, would be truly stupendous for Indian consumers and iPhone fans here.

In fact, some rumours suggest that the iPhone SE 4 might even outperform in terms of features Apple offered in iPhone 14 . If these leaks turn out to be true, Apple will be bringing flagship-level upgrades to its most affordable phone, giving users a more premium iOS experience at a fraction of the cost.

But before we talk of the speculations and the expected price of the iPhone SE 4, first a closer look at what all rumours are hinting at as far as the features and specs of the iPhone SE 4 are concerned.

OLED display and iPhone 14-like design

One of the most anticipated upgrades for the iPhone SE 4 is its display. Until now, Apple used LCD panels to cut down on costs. But according to reports, the iPhone SE 4 will ditch the smaller 4.7-inch LCD panel in favour of a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, similar to what we saw in the iPhone 14. This would be a huge upgrade in terms of both size and quality, offering sharper contrast, richer colours, and deeper blacks, providing a more immersive viewing experience.

In fact, the display quality will likely be similar to that of the latest iPhone 14. Having recently switched from the iPhone 14 Plus to the 16 Plus, I noticed the display felt slightly improved but not drastically. So, getting the iPhone 14 display in an affordable iPhone SE 4 will be a big upgrade.

Although Apple may not include premium features like the Dynamic Island found in the latest iPhone. Instead, the SE 4 is expected to feature a notch similar to the iPhone 14. But missing out on Dynamic Island won't leave SE users feeling too much of FOMO, as the OLED display will already offer a top-tier experience.

48-megapixel camera on budget iPhone

Another area where the iPhone SE 4 is expected to see an upgrade is the camera. Leaks suggest that Apple might equip the iPhone SE 4 with a 48-megapixel primary camera, a significant improvement over the 12-megapixel shooter found in the iPhone SE 3. In fact, the 48-megapixel camera is currently featured only in Apple's latest iPhone 16, not even in the iPhone 14, so this could offer users much better photography capabilities.

Although the camera performance of the SE 4 may not match the flagship models, compared to the iPhone SE 3 it will be a substantial upgrade. Along with hardware improvements, the SE 4 is also expected to benefit from Apple's upgraded computational photography features, such as Smart HDR and Night Mode, for better performance in various lighting conditions. This will make the iPhone SE 4 a very attractive option for users who want an affordable iPhone without compromising on camera quality by opting for older models.

Although one area where the iPhone SE 4 is unlikely to catch up to the iPhone 14 is the number of sensors and lenses. It will likely have just one camera - the main camera. The ultra-wide camera is not going to be there on the iPhone SE 4.

Powerful A18 chipset and Apple Intelligence

Now, if in the camera part the iPhone SE 4 may fall a bit short compared to the iPhone 14, on the performance part it is likely to be ahead of it. Rumours suggest that the iPhone SE 4 will be powered by a more advanced chip than the A15, which we saw in the iPhone 14. Instead, the iPhone SE 4 is likely to get the A18 series chip. This is largely because Apple is likely to ensure that the iPhone SE 4 has enough power and RAM to handle Apple Intelligence. If Apple indeed includes support for Apple Intelligence, the iPhone SE 4 could become the most affordable iPhone to offer these AI features.

Apple Intelligence could bring features like text rewriting, image editing, and a more advanced version of Siri. While the SE 4 may not have the full AI capabilities of the iPhone 16 Pro models, its integration with Apple Intelligence may still offer a some boost in day-to-day usability, making tasks like photo editing and text prediction more intuitive.

USB-C charging and Face ID

Finally, Apple is expected to introduce Face ID on the iPhone SE 4, moving away from Touch ID. In other words: more wholesome and fun experience. Additionally, in compliance with European regulations, Apple is expected to transition the iPhone SE 4 to USB-C charging, bringing it in line with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 series.

Improved battery life?

Possibly. The iPhone SE 4 is also rumoured to get a larger battery - likely the same 3,279mAh battery found in the iPhone 14. This could offer almost a full day's worth of power, depending on usage. Notably, Apple is also expected to launch an iPhone SE 4 Plus, which could mirror the iPhone 14 Plus in terms of size and battery capacity. With a larger battery, an OLED display, an upgraded camera, and the power of the A18 chip, the iPhone SE 4 could become one of the most popular choices for users looking for an affordable iPhone - without selling a kidney - pun intended.

iPhone SE 4 India price

Of course, all of this speculation depends on the price of the iPhone SE 4. Now, it is difficult to say with any certainty what would be the price of the iPhone SE 4. But look at this way: Apple usually is more sensitive - and less likely to bump - the price of its more affordable iPhones. We have seen that the company has kept the non-pro iPhone price almost the same in the last four years. The iPhone 12 launch price was Rs 79,900 and this has been the same price for all its successors. Even this year the iPhone 16 price starts at Rs 79,900.

Now, if Apple follows the same price - and it is a big IF - you can expect the price of the iPhone SE 4 in India to fall around Rs 45,000. The iPhone SE 3 aka iPhone SE (2022) when it launched started at a price of Rs 43,900. If Apple decides to keep the price same for the iPhone SE 4 it would effectively mean that Indian consumers will get the iPhone 14 - or rather iPhone 14 plus plus because of a better chipset - at a price that is just little over Rs 40,000. It would not be a good deal. It would be a great deal, the kind of deal that could be game-changing for the entire phone market and fill the hearts of Android phone makers with fear.

And even if the price is somewhat closer to Rs 50,000, the iPhone SE 4 might end up being a good deal once paired with some expected bank discounts etc. In other words, if Apple doesn't go all bonkers with the iPhone SE 4 price and push it upwards of Rs 50,000 or something, it may end up being the first iPhone for a lot and a lot of Indian consumers.