The iPhone SE 4 could get a big design change – but still look dated
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Apple could be planning major changes for the iPhone SE 4, with the phone reportedly to have a different design and a much larger screen than the iPhone SE (2022).
That is according to Ross Young – a leaker with a reasonable track record – who, in conversation with… MacRumors (opens in new tab), claims that the iPhone SE 4 will have a 6.1-inch display. That’s an increase of 4.7 inches on the current model, so it’s a big increase.
The overall size of the phone may not be much, if not bigger, as the large bezels and physical home button are apparently being replaced by a notch at the top and probably small bezels elsewhere.
However, there are some things that Young isn’t clear about, such as whether or not this notch is suitable for Face ID. The iPhone SE (2022) uses Touch ID instead, but removing the home button and adding the notch could mean a move to Face ID.
On the other hand, Face ID is likely to cost Apple more to include, so the company can stick with Touch ID — perhaps the fingerprint sensor in a side button, much like some iPads. If this approach is taken, it’s also possible that the iPhone SE 4 will have a smaller notch than other iPhones because it doesn’t require as many components.
That’s just speculation though, and we’re not even sure if the next model will kick it up a notch. If so, though, that’s a much-needed visual upgrade from a design that currently looks incredibly old-fashioned.
Even a notch will look dated, though, especially considering that this phone won’t land before 2023 and may not arrive until 2024, according to some leaks.
Still, Apple is clearly happy to stick with dated designs on its phones – especially the cheap ones – so we can’t see the company jumping straight to a Dynamic Island on the iPhone SE 4, mainly because it wants to insure the phone. looks like cheaper than the more expensive models to quickly distinguish it visually. So a switch to a notch makes sense.
Analysis: don’t count on this
While this rumored design change would make a lot of sense, it’s worth noting that Young has previously made several predictions about the iPhone SE 4.
Young has suggested in the past that the iPhone SE 4 may have a punch hole (opens in new tab) camera, instead of a notch, and also suggested that 5.7 inch was the most likely screen size (opens in new tab).
That doesn’t necessarily mean Young was wrong before – it’s entirely possible that Apple was exploring those options, but now opted for a 6.1-inch phone with a notch. But whether Young was wrong or Apple’s plans changed, we can’t rule out the possibility that the same could happen again.
Either way, this is likely to become one of the best iPhones for buyers on a budget.