Apple released the iPhone SE 3, also known as the iPhone SE 5G earlier this year. The company launched its budget iPhone with the same design as the previous model, but packed the powerful A15 Bionic SoC inside the SE 3. Rumors suggested that the iPhone SE 4 would see a major design change. The company was rumored to launch the phone in 2023, but the launch has reportedly been postponed to 2024. The iPhone SE 4 has now reportedly been canceled or further postponed.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a reputation for Apple-related leaks, revealed that Apple could pull the plug and cancel its plans for the iPhone SE 4 launch entirely. The analyst, in his lengthy thread, revealed that the iPhone maker might not launch the SE 4 due to multiple factors.
iPhone SE 4 might not start
Apple could launch the iPhone SE 4. Information shared by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reveals that Apple is considering postponing the launch, if not canceling it, due to lower-than-expected sales of its low- and mid-range iPhones. The iPhone 14 mini was never released because Apple didn’t see any market for a 5.4-inch iPhone. The company did not see any major success in terms of sales with the iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 13 mini. Therefore, the iPhone 14 mini was replaced by the iPhone 14 Plus, which is also reportedly not doing so well in terms of sales.
The iPhone SE 3, which launched earlier this year with 5G network support, apparently doesn’t attract many buyers either. This could be due to the outdated design and lack of features, which are available on more expensive iPhones and even on Android phones available at the same price as the SE 3.
The iPhone SE 4 was said to sport a similar design to the iPhone XR. This means that it would have come with a taller 6.1-inch display with a wide notch at the top for the front-facing camera. Since there would be no home button, it was rumored that Apple would launch the phone with Touch ID on the power button or switch to Face ID for its affordable iPhone.
The change in design would also lead to an increase in the higher cost and retail price of the SE 4. As a result, Apple may be rethinking its product placement and even ROI for the SE 4. The company it is also considering canceling or postponing development of the product, as it would help mitigate the global economic downturn.
Tipster Jon Prosser uploaded design renders of the SE 4 earlier this year, suggesting that the phone is pretty much the iPhone XR. Prosser further revealed that the phone will have the latest iPhone SoC, which could be the A16 Bionic. More details on the SE 4 should be available, provided it’s in Apple’s release pipeline.