iPhone had a very controversial timeline for the release of the iPhone SE series. The company launched it in 2016, and the second generation arrived in 2020. Of course, we should not consider this 4-years gap so much. After all, we don’t think this has been in the plans since 2016. Anyway, the company brought back the iPhone SE in 2020 and waited two years to launch the iPhone SE 3. The phone launched this year and was basically a hardware upgrade. The design was pretty much based on the iPhone 8. Now, rumors suggest that the company will keep this two years timeline to release the iPhone SE 4.
Some questions remain about the iPhone SE 4
Below, we’ll list some of the three biggest questions about the phone that still need an answer. Obviously, we don’t expect Apple to answer these questions anytime soon. The rumor mill will do so. As per MyDrivers and the reputable leakster Jon Proser, the iPhone SE will bring the “iPhone XR” back to the living. One time that the SE 3 was a revamped iPhone 8, the iPhone SE 4 will move to the iPhone XR design. That means that the iPhone SE will finally ditch the home button, and the bezels and move to the notch and the technology behind it.
MacRumors believes that the iPhone SE 4 will launch after the release of 2023’s iPhone 15 lineup. However, there is a good explanation for this. The iPhone SE 3 has the Apple A15 Bionic, just like the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus. It wouldn’t make sense for Apple to launch the SE 4 with the Apple A15 again. But at the same time, the company can’t make the phone better than the premium iPhones. So, the company will have to wait until 2024 to bring the Apple A16 to the iPhone SE 4. But that time, the iPhone 15 series will have the same processor, but everyone will be waiting for the iPhone 16 series release with the Apple A17 and Apple A18 processors.
The insider Ross Young, states that until 2024 there is still plenty of time. Therefore, the company will keep evaluating some decisions prior to the release. Anyway, for now, there are a few things that Apple is still evaluating. Three things that are still unanswered for most tech analysts and insiders.
The Display Size of the iPhone SE 4
According to Young, Apple is evaluating displays between 5.7 inches and 6.1 inches. The iPhone XR had a 6.1-inch panel, so anything below that would make the phone slightly different. The analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that Apple was working on an iPhone SE model with that display size. Anyway, Apple is yet to make a final decision.
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LCD or OLED
Another question that remains also involves the display. As per the rumors, Apple is yet to decide between LCD or OLED tech for the iPhone SE 4. So far, the iPhone SE series uses LCD, but that was based on the old iPhone lineup. Apple made the complete switch to OLED with the iPhone 12 series. It makes sense for the company to move to OLED with the iPhone SE 4. But the price may also increase.
The OLED has better colors and contrast but again increases the price. The iPhone SE 4 is usually sold as a “mid-range” iPhone lineup. Therefore, Apple will need to decide whether will make it better with OLED or will keep the price low with the LCD. Worth noting, anyway, that OLED technology had become more accessible in recent years. Nowadays, we can easily find mid-range phones with OLED screens. The difference is always in technology. Flagships have better OLED, while mid-range phones are getting old or have cheaper OLED tech. Apple can still use OLED on the iPhone SE 4 if it uses an affordable panel.
Touch ID or Face ID
In recent years, the iPhone SE series has been the only modern iPhone series that give users Touch ID. But that can change with the iPhone SE 4. Since the company is ditching the classic design to enter the notch era, we will have to say goodbye to the home button.
Also, we have been hearing rumors about an under-screen Touch ID for years. That never materialized, but once again, we are hearing them for the iPhone 15 series. Now, the analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that Apple is considering a Touch ID for the iPhone SE 4. But that will come as a side-mounted button. Just like the great majority of mid-range Android phones. If the company goes for OLED, it will really need to put the scanner on the side or at the back.
Face ID with Dynamic Island?
Anyway, the chances for Face ID are not gone yet. The iPhone SE 4 will have a notch, and Apple could easily bring the Face ID tech to the phone. This may be the most plausible choice for the phone. After all, if Touch ID is coming back in any form, it will return to the flagship iPhones first. The iPhone SE 4 may remain a few steps behind the regular series. So it’s time for it to finally embrace the Face ID tech. Some optimistic rumors even suggest the use of Dynamic Island. Honestly, that is perfectly feasible, since Dynamic Island is a software trick. However, it’s exclusive to the iPhone 14 Pro series due to the fact that the notch of these devices is “software-generated”. With the iPhone SE 4 release, Apple can “democratize” this feature bringing it to the cheaper model.
There are still several months ahead of a possible iPhone SE 4 release. More questions will pop out, and will also get our answers in the due time.
