Here’s What the iPhone SE May Look Like
With Apple expected to unveil a next-generation iPhone SE in less than four months, we already have a good idea of what to expect for features and specifications. However, a picture is worth a thousand words, and thanks to a prolific leaker, we now have a better look at the design.
A new round of photos comes courtesy of Sonny Dickson, who has often shared photos of dummy versions of new iPhone models that turn out to be surprisingly on point.
In the case of the “iPhone SE 4,” Dickson has offered us a first look that’s pretty close to what we expected, with the biggest surprise being a more limited selection of colors.
If these images represent the only iPhone SE models, it looks like we could see the (PRODUCT)RED version eliminated from the lineup. Only black and white versions are shown, which roughly correspond to the Midnight and Starlight of the 2022 iPhone SE, but there’s no sign of a red finish.
That wouldn’t be an unusual choice on Apple’s part this time around, as the (PRODUCT)RED branding has been nowhere to be found over the last two generations of mainstream iPhone models. On the other hand, the last iPhone to carry the (RED) banner was the iPhone 14, and the new iPhone SE is expected to adopt that design.
This aligns with past iPhone SE models, which were visually identical to their inspirations — the iPhone 5s for the 2016 iPhone SE and the iPhone 8 for the 2020 and 2022 iPhone SE. However, things will be a bit different this time, as the 2025 iPhone SE is expected to feature a single camera, setting it apart from the iPhone 14 in that one area.
Nevertheless, the photos show a frame that’s clearly from the iPhone 14, including the ring/silent switch rather than an Action button. It’s also expected to adopt the same notch on the front, although this isn’t reflected in the photos. The new iPhone SE is also expected to gain other features from the iPhone 14, including an OLED display and Face ID, while packing in the latest A18 chip from this year’s iPhone 16 lineup.
The most notable difference is the single camera, which appears more prominent than it has on past models since it’s expected to pack in Apple’s latest 48MP “Fusion” camera technology, offering higher resolution and a virtual 2x zoom. Apple will likely use this to market it as the most advanced single-camera system available on a smartphone, thereby setting it apart in a world where nearly every budget smartphone now has at least a dual-camera array.
Note that these aren’t photos of the actual iPhone SE, but rather images of dummy models that are typically created by accessory makers from CAD specs so they can properly measure things like cases and have them ready in time for the new iPhone’s launch. At this stage in the product’s development, it’s very likely that these are accurate reflections of the new iPhone SE’s design, particularly in light of Dickson’s solid track record.
While some have speculated that this more premium design may support the idea that Apple will abandon the iPhone SE name in favor of calling the new model the iPhone 16E, we remain skeptical. For one thing, even though this looks very different from the current iPhone SE, it’s still very clearly an iPhone 14 design. There’s no Action button and no Dynamic Island. Even rumors that the camera bump might be closer to the iPhone 16 don’t seem to have come to fruition, according to these images.
One argument for the iPhone 16E name is based on the new model supporting Apple Intelligence with its A18 chip, but that’s nothing new. Every iPhone SE model released has used Apple’s most current A-series chips. If anything, it would be stranger for Apple to go with anything else.
The new iPhone SE will undoubtedly look more premium than older models, but Apple has also been using the “SE” designation for the Apple Watch since 2020, and those models are virtually indistinguishable from each year’s standard “Series” lineup. If anything, the rumor is that this year’s Apple Watch SE may be the first to get a new design that sets it apart from the rest.
On the other hand, unlike the Apple Watch SE, the iPhone SE name is closely associated with the old-school iPhone design with large top and bottom bezels and a front-facing home button. It’s understandable how Apple may want to retire that and use something else for this new generation, but even if a new name is on the table, it doesn’t have to be the iPhone 16E. We’ve heard plenty of others bandied about over the years, including the “iPhone XE” (from the era of the iPhone X, iPhone XR, and iPhone XS, all three of which also surprised us when they arrived).
Ultimately, though, it doesn’t matter what Apple calls it. The next generation of the iPhone SE will be a welcome refresh, retiring what is now an eight-year-old iPhone design and bringing Apple’s most wallet-friendly iPhone into the mainstream.
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