Why 2025 Could Be the Perfect Time to Upgrade Your iPhone: The Next SE Could Change Everything
As a tech reporter following Apple’s movements closely, I see compelling evidence that waiting a few months before your next iPhone purchase might be your most brilliant move. Here’s why the rumored iPhone SE 4, expected to launch in March 2025, could be the game-changer many iPhone buyers have been waiting for.
The Current Landscape
Walk into an Apple Store today, and you’ll find plenty of choices: the flagship iPhone 16 series with its four models, last year’s iPhone 15 lineup, and even the iPhone 14 from 2022. But one oddball in the mix is the current iPhone SE 3.
Its dated Home button design, borrowed from the 2017 iPhone 8, stands out like a flip phone at a smartphone convention. Despite its budget-friendly $429 price tag, it’s hard to recommend in late 2024.
A Fresh Start Coming Soon
Multiple industry analysts, including Barclays’ Tom O’Malley, have confirmed through Asian supply chain sources that Apple is preparing to launch the fourth-generation iPhone SE by the end of Q1 2025. This isn’t just another minor update – it’s shaping up to be the most significant overhaul in the SE line’s history.
What’s New and Why It Matters
The upcoming SE 4 is expected to finally ditch the ancient Home button design in favor of a modern look with Face ID. Here’s what else is reportedly coming:
- A 6.1-inch OLED display – a massive upgrade from the current 4.7-inch LCD screen
- Apple’s first home-grown 5G modem
- A powerful 48 MP primary camera (up from 12 MP)
- 8GB of RAM – enough to run Apple Intelligence features
- USB-C port for universal charging compatibility
- Latest A-series chip (possibly the A18)
Value Proposition
The SE line has always been about bringing flagship performance to a mid-range price point. The current model achieves this by recycling old designs while packing in newer chips. The SE 4 looks to continue this tradition but with a much more modern foundation based on the iPhone 14’s design.
What’s particularly interesting is that the rumored SE 4 might outshine the iPhone 14 in several ways:
- Higher resolution primary camera (48 MP vs 12 MP)
- More RAM (8GB vs 6GB)
- USB-C instead of Lightning
- Support for Apple Intelligence
- Newer processor
The Big Question: Price
The success of the SE 4 will largely depend on its price point. The current model starts at $429, up from the traditional $399 SE price tag. While the significant upgrades might justify a price increase, Apple could maintain the current price by omitting premium features like:
- Promotion 120Hz display
- Action button
- Camera button
- Zoom lens
- Titanium build
- Always-On display
- Dynamic Island
- Ultra-bright 2,000-nit display
Why Wait?
If you’re in the market for a new iPhone but don’t need the latest features, waiting until March 2025 could be your best bet. The rumored iPhone SE 4 promises to deliver everything most users need—great performance, modern design, excellent camera, and 5G connectivity—potentially at a mid-range price point.
For those who mainly use their phones for messaging, social media, photography, and everyday apps, the SE 4 could hit the sweet spot between features and affordability. It’s shaping up to be the most compelling SE model yet and possibly the best-value iPhone we’ve seen in years.
The March 2025 timeline isn’t far off, and based on Apple’s track record with spring events, we might see the SE 4 launched alongside new iPads, making for an exciting start to 2025 in Apple’s ecosystem.
Remember, while these rumors come from reliable sources, nothing is certain until Apple makes its official announcement. However, if you don’t urgently need a new iPhone, the potential benefits of waiting a few months could be substantial.