While Apple loves to flaunt the latest and greatest in its iPhone line, some of us don’t need all the bells and whistles. If it’s a simpler and cheaper iPhone you’re after, then luckily for you, new details have emerged about the next iPhone SE, rumored to launch early next year.
First Look at Apple’s Next iPhone SE
It’s not an official first look shared by Apple, but a recent leak picked up by a Japanese blog has exposed early visuals of the fourth generation iPhone SE model. The leaked 3D-printed “blank,” or mockup, can’t confirm any internal specifications, but it does show us the device’s external features.
Most notably, the newest iPhone SE looks like it will depart from its predecessors by discontinuing the Home button and hence the use of Touch ID. Following the lead of the iPhone 14 (our iPhone 14 Pro review), the next iPhone SE will likely host an extended screen and leverage Face ID for unlocking the device.
We can make the following assumptions based on the leaked mockup of the next iPhone SE:
| Feature | iPhone SE (4th gen) Predictions |
|---|---|
| Touch ID | No |
| Face ID | Yes |
| Action button | No |
| Capture button | No |
| Side button | Yes |
| Rear camera | Single lens, LED flash |
| Front camera | Consistent size with iPhone 14 |
| Built-in microphone | Similar to iPhone 14 |
| Built-in speaker | Similar to iPhone 14 |
Why Bother With an iPhone SE?
On one hand, buying the newest devices with the most up-to-date features can be a worthy investment. You’ll have access to cutting-edge technology and to the best support from the manufacturer. On the other hand, for certain users, the exorbitantly high price tag could outweigh the perks. Buying cheap doesn’t necessarily mean buying outdated devices, which is the case with an iPhone SE.
Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t release SE models at the same cadence as it does for its main line, but if you hold out and purchase an updated iPhone SE, you’ll have Apple’s support should you need repairs. Plus, while we can’t make any assumptions beyond the surface-level features revealed by the leaked mockup, we have to imagine that Apple will want to include the soon-to-be-released Apple Intelligence on any new phone—budget or not.
In fact, the best budget smartphones can get you a reliable, modern device that just might not have the highest quality camera or the largest screen. And for some people, that’s preferable—such as those who don’t want to have to buy pants with bigger pockets to fit their colossal iPhone screen.
