Never Mind the iPhone 16, Apple Has Something Even Better
The new information about the design of the upcoming iPhone SE.
Apple is entering the world of AI-powered smartphones with Apple Intelligence. While the iPhone 16 Pro will be the main model, Tim Cook and his team are also focusing on making sure the regular iPhone 16 meets high expectations. However, another exciting iPhone is in development that promises affordability, new features, and the capabilities of artificial intelligence for Apple’s loyal customers, the next-generation iPhone SE.
The iPhone SE has always been popular because it offers the benefits of Apple’s ecosystem and hardware at an attractive price. It started in 2016 with the first iPhone SE, which used the iPhone 5S design. The second came in 2020, based on the iPhone 8, and the third in 2022 kept the iPhone 8 design but used the same chipset as the iPhone 13 at the time.
The 2025 iPhone SE is expected to be even more popular than before, especially as the prices of Pro iPhones continue to rise. It will likely have a design similar to the iPhone 14 but smaller than both the Vanilla and Pro models, which many people will appreciate. Not everyone wants a very large smartphone.
Since there’s been a three-year gap since the last SE model, this new one will include many of Apple’s latest hardware improvements. It might have a larger 48-megapixel main camera and could be the first SE model to use a notched display like the Pro iPhones. It’s also expected to have fast-charging battery technology similar to what’s in the iPhone 16.
One of the biggest improvements could be in the display. Previous SE models used cheaper LCD panels, but the 2025 edition is likely to come with a more vibrant OLED display.
The iPhone SE designs have always looked back to older models, but they’ve stayed new because Apple makes small changes over time instead of big ones.
In simpler terms, the backs of both devices may look very similar to each other. This isn’t surprising because earlier CAD renders this year suggested that the upcoming iPhone SE 4 will be the largest SE model yet, with a design that closely resembles the iPhone 14.
Another important point to consider is about the camera setup. The iPhone 16 is changing its dual camera lenses to a vertical setup to enable stereoscopic video recording when the phone is held sideways. This type of video would be suitable for viewing in 3D on devices like the Vision Pro. Apple plans to include this feature across the iPhone 16 lineup, and it makes sense that the next iPhone SE will also get this upgrade.
In the past, the regular iPhone 16 has often been seen as a compromise compared to the Pro models. Apple typically reserves its latest and best technology for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max each year. They try to strike a balance by giving the regular iPhone 16 good enough specifications while still leaving room for demand for the more expensive Pro models.
Previously, this meant using slightly older Axx chipsets, offering fewer storage choices, and keeping memory specifications lower. However, things are changing. With the rise of generative AI, there’s a need for the latest Apple Silicon and more memory to handle complex processing tasks locally on the device.
If the iPhone SE is to support Apple Intelligence, it will likely need to match the base specifications of the iPhone 16, especially in terms of Apple Silicon. This has been done before, where the SE model used the same chipset as the main iPhone line, and it’s likely to happen again with this new generation.
Ultimately, if AI is the future, then Apple Intelligence needs to be accessible everywhere, including on the iPhone SE. Ensuring the SE can handle these advanced capabilities will be crucial for Apple’s strategy moving forward.
There’s also the question of when generative AI will be fully integrated. Apple introduced its prominently named Apple Intelligence at last month’s Worldwide Developer Conference, which will be part of iOS 18. However, while iOS 18 will be out when the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro launch in September, the crucial AI features won’t arrive until the first quarter of 2025.
Apple fans might be expecting a surge in iPhone 16 sales due to it being one of the first AI-capable iPhones. However, there’s no indication from the supply chain that Apple plans to increase production orders yet. If Apple is waiting until early 2025 to fully roll out the AI features, perhaps it’s better to wait and see how this revolution unfolds before making decisions.
If you want the most power and all the capabilities of the iPhone platform, your best choice is the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max. There’s little reason to consider any other iPhone if that’s what you’re after. However, if you’re aiming to get the most value for your money, the iPhone SE will offer a better deal compared to the iPhone 16. Plus, with Apple Intelligence arriving later, there’s no rush to buy your next iPhone before then.
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