Apple is set to unveil the fourth-generation iPhone SE on Wednesday, targeting the mid-range smartphone market amid competition from Samsung and Huawei.
The current iPhone SE, released in 2022 at $429, is expected to get a price hike with the latest model. Positioned below the iPhone 16, which starts at $799, the SE 4 aims to attract budget-conscious buyers while integrating AI-powered features.
“If the SE 4 offers significant upgrades in design, performance, and AI capabilities, it could boost its market appeal,” said Varun Mishra, senior analyst at Counterpoint Research.
Apple recently forecast strong sales growth, expecting a rebound in iPhone demand as AI features expand to more regions and languages. However, analysts remain cautious about the sales impact, given Apple’s phased rollout of AI tools on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro models.
The SE’s contribution to iPhone revenue has dropped from 10% in 2016 to just 1% in 2023. To regain traction, the SE 4 is expected to feature a modern design, ditching the physical home button in favor of Face ID, along with camera and processor upgrades for AI enhancements.
Crucially, it will be the last iPhone to adopt a USB-C charging port, replacing Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector. This change will allow Apple to reintroduce the SE in the EU, where regulations now mandate USB-C charging.
With its refreshed design and AI-driven improvements, the iPhone SE 4 could strengthen Apple’s presence across price segments.
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