I was under the assumption that the mute switch would still find its place on the iPhone SE 4, given that the device also retains the notch display from older times. However, Spigen’s accidental leak may have confirmed the opposite – the iPhone SE 4 will come with an Action Button… which is pretty interesting for a budget phone.
Spigen just did Apple dirty—whether they meant to or not. The case manufacturer accidentally uploaded images of the iPhone SE 4 wrapped in one of its protective cases, giving us what might be the clearest look yet at Apple’s next budget-friendly phone. And despite Spigen labeling it as an iPhone SE (3rd Gen), the design tells a completely different story. As much as Spigen tried to backtrack its oopsie, the SE 4 is clearly ditching the iPhone 8-era look and jumping straight to an iPhone 14-inspired design.
Designer: Spigen
The leaks align with earlier rumors, showing a 6.1-inch display with a notch up top, a single camera on the back, and what appears to be an Action Button replacing the classic Alert Slider. If that last detail holds up, it means Apple is bringing one of the iPhone 15 Pro’s standout features to its most affordable model. The Action Button, which lets you assign shortcuts like launching the camera or toggling Focus modes, could be a game-changer for the SE lineup, making it feel a little less like an entry-level device and more like a proper modern iPhone.
If history is anything to go by, case makers like Spigen tend to have insider access to device dimensions ahead of launch. Their business depends on getting the fit exactly right, so it’s safe to assume this design is pretty close to what Apple will unveil. The biggest takeaway? The Home button is officially a relic. With this shift, the SE lineup moves fully into the Face ID era, leaving Touch ID behind.
Under the hood, leaks suggest the iPhone SE 4 could pack a beefier processor—potentially the A16 Bionic—making it one of the most powerful phones in its price range. The jump in display size and processing power means Apple is repositioning the SE as more than just a nostalgia trip for classic iPhone fans. It’s shaping up to be a no-frills iPhone for people who don’t need all the bells and whistles of a Pro model but still want a device that will last for years.
There’s also a speculative detail that these renders don’t include – the USB-C port. It’s worth making the assumption that Apple will outfit the iPhone SE 4 with a USB-C port instead of the lightning connector from past models. Not only does it align with Apple’s complete switch to USB-C, it also lines up with EU’s requirements of ditching proprietary connectors and cables. Although Apple doesn’t expect the SE 4 to be a breakthrough device in the EU, I’m sure it just wants to comply rather than choosing a hill to die on.
As for the launch, Apple isn’t holding a flashy event, but trusted insiders suggest a press release and a YouTube video announcement could drop as soon as February 12 or 13, with February 18 as a possible fallback date. Pricing remains a mystery, though it’s expected to land closer to $499, a slight bump from the current SE’s $429 starting price. Given the hardware upgrades, that price increase wouldn’t be surprising.
The post first appeared on .
Related Posts
