It was once one of Apple’s most popular smartphone models.
And now it seems the iPhone SE could finally be getting its first update in almost three years.
Pictures have leaked online, showing what is claimed to be Apple’s next-generation budget smartphone, the iPhone SE 4.
Shared by veteran Apple leaker Sonny Dickon, the pictures show a set of non-functional ‘dummy’ phones used by case and accessory makers.
They suggest the iPhone SE 4 will stick closely to the single camera design that was so successful for its predecessor.
However, some eagle-eyed tech fans were quick to notice that one very important feature might be missing.
Despite rumours it would be included, the dummy models do not feature the Action Button, which was first introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro.
On social media, fans were bitterly divided over the new design, with some branding it ‘trash’.
The iPhone SE 4 could be on its way soon as leaked images (pictured) reveal what the new budget smartphone might look like
Veteran leaker Sonny Dickson shared pictures of a non-functional ‘Dummy’ phone which is usually sent to case and accessory makers ahead of an official launch
Social media users were divided over the new design, with one commenter calling it ‘trash’
In contrast to Apple’s high-end products like the £1,599 ($1,599 in the US) iPhone 16 Pro Max, the iPhone SE range is much more affordable.
For example, when it was released in 2022, the iPhone SE 3 cost just £419 ($429 in the US).
Despite its lower price point, the SE 3 still offered some impressive hardware which made it a popular choice for tech fans on a budget.
Apple has remained quiet about the future of the SE line for almost three years.
But now, these first leaked images suggest that the release of the SE 4 could just be around the corner.
Dummy models are typically sent to case and accessory suppliers ahead of the official release so they can have products ready for launch.
So, while the designs might be subject to some change, they often provide a reliable first look at the kinds of changes to come.
Likewise, Mr Dixon, the source of the leak, has a good track record of providing reliable insider information including correctly predicting the colours for the iPhone 16.
Eagle-eyed fans spotted that the new model is missing the Action Button which was first introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro. Earlier leaks had suggested this feature would be included
Since the iPhone SE 3 (pictured) was released in 2022, Apple’s line of budget-friendly smartphones has not been updated in almost three years
In these images, the supposed iPhone SE 4 looks like it stays fairly close to the design of the SE 3.
The smartphone keeps the single rear and front cameras, rather than opting for two or three cameras like the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro.
On the side, the dummy models show the usual volume up and down buttons alongside a mute switch.
The models show no sign of either the Action Button or the Camera Control sensor, which have been included on recent high-end iPhones.
This contradicts a number of earlier leaks which suggested that the Action Button would be included on the iPhone SE 4.
On X, formerly Twitter, one commenter complained: ‘No action button?’
Earlier rumours also claimed that the SE 4 would use a modified version of the iPhone 14 frame.
However, social media users say these dummy phones bear a strong resemblance to another, much older iPhone model.
Apple fans said that the new design’s rounded edges and large buttons reminded them of the iPhone 4, first released in 2010
One commenter joked that the leaked iPhone SE 4 looked like the ‘iPhone 4 with the camera swapped out’
A commenter wrote on X: ‘Ah yes, back to the iPhone 4S days. SOLD!’
Another asked: ‘Is that the iPhone 4 with the camera swapped out?’
‘I freaking love the design. Gives me iPhone 4 vibes,’ added another.
Despite its nostalgic looks, Apple fans were divided over whether they liked the design.
One furious commenter wrote: ‘If this outdated one camera design is not revolting, then I don’t know what is, LOL, absolutely disgusting!’
While another added: ‘I mean it when I say this might be the worst iPhone of all time’.
On the other hand, many fans rushed to the comments to defend the leaked design choices.
A commenter wrote: ‘It looks so good. The camera modules in modern smartphones is looking really goofy nowadays.’
Some fans were furious with the design, calling it ‘absolutely disgusting’
However, some fans thought the simple, single-camera design looked good
One Apple fan simply wrote that this was the ‘perfect phone’
‘Perfect phone,’ another commenter simply added.
In an unusual development, Mr Dickon says that he has received a number of enquiries about purchasing the dummy models.
Mr Dickon told MailOnline that these private requests were primarily sent by ‘YouTubers’ looking to make video content with the leaked models.
The non-functional dummy phones have now been listed for sale online for $100 (£82).
Aside from the shape shown in this leak, very little has been confirmed about the iPhone SE 4.
It seems very likely that the new smartphone will follow the rest of Apple’s lineup in swapping the Lightning Cable for a USB-C charging port so it can be sold in the EU.
Rumours also suggest that the iPhone SE 4 will be fitted with an upgraded OLED display.
The new model is also likely to ditch the thumbprint-reading home button featured on the iPhone SE 3 in favour of using Face ID.
Mr Dickson says that he has faced a number of requests to buy the non-functioning dummy phones and has now listed them for sale for $100 (£82)
The price of the new model is yet to be confirmed but, as Apple’s budget offering, we can expect it to be significantly lower than that of the standard iPhone lineup and probably under £1,000 ($1,220).
Likewise, while Apple doesn’t talk about new releases ahead of time, rumours suggest that the iPhone SE 4 could be released this year.
According to Apple analyst Mark Gurman, from Bloomberg, this could be Apple’s first big release of the year.
That means fans might be able to get their hands on a new budget iPhone as early as March.
However, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding this new model and it is still too early to say when the iPhone SE 4 will be officially launched.
Apple has been contacted for comment.
THE TRILLION DOLLAR RISE OF APPLE
1976: Founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne created the company on April 1 1976 as they set about selling computer kits to hobbyists, each of which was built by Wozniak.
The first product was the Apple I.
1977: Apple released the Apple II in June, which was the first PC made for the mass market.
Steve Jobs unveils Apple Computer Corporation’s new Macintosh February 6, 1984 in California.
1981: Jobs became chairman.
1984: The Macintosh was introduced during an ad break for the Super Bowl and later officially unveiled during a launch event. It was discontinued a year later and Jobs left the firm.
1987: Apple released the Macintosh II, the first colour Mac.
1997: Apple announces it will acquire NeXT software in a $400 million deal that involves Jobs returning to Apple as interim CEO. He officially took the role in 2000.
The then Chief Executive Officer of Apple, Steve Jobs, with the iPhone
2001: Apple introduced iTunes, OS X and the first-generation iPod.
The first iPod MP3 music player was released on October 23, 2001, at an event in Cupertino and was able to hold up to 1,000 songs.
2007: Apple unveils the iPhone.
2010: The first iPad was unveiled.
2011: Jobs resigned in 2011 due to illness, handing the CEO title to Tim Cook. Jobs died in October from pancreatic cancer.
2014: Apple unveiled the Apple Watch. It also unveiled its first larger iPhones – the 6 and 6 Plus.
2015: After purchasing Beats from Dr Dre, Apple launched Apple Music to compete with Spotify and other music streaming services.
2016: Apple returned to its roots and announced the 4-inch iPhone SE. Meanwhile, the firm is embroiled in a legal battle with the FBI, involving the agency demanding access to the locked phone used by Syed Farook, who died in a shootout after carrying out a deadly December attack in San Bernardino, California with his wife. The court order was dropped on March 28 after the FBI said a third party was able to unlock the device.
2017: Apple introduces the iPhone X, which removes the home button to make way for a futuristic edge-to-edge screen design and a new FaceID system that uses advanced sensors and lasers to unlock phones with just the owner’s face.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs speaks at an Apple event at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, Calif.
2018: In a first for the company, Apple introduces new features in its latest operating system, iOS 12, that encourage users to manage and spend less time on their devices. The move was spawned by a strongly worded letter from shareholders that urged the firm to address the growing problem of smartphone addiction among kids and teenagers.
2019: In January, Apple reports its first decline in revenues and profits in a decade. CEO Tim Cook partly blamed steep declines in revenue from China.
2020: In March, Apple closes all its bricks and mortar retail stores outside of China in response to coronavirus.
2021: In an online virtual event in April CEO Tim Cook declared Apple’s goal of becoming carbon neutral for Earth Day. Later in the year the iPhone 13 was announced.
2022: In September the iPhone 14 was announced. One of the new features included a new sensor to detect if a user had been in a car crash as well as an improved camera system.
2023: Apple brought back its ‘Home Pod’ after the first generation was discontinued. The ‘Home Pod’ can be seen as an alternative to Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home as it is powered by voice commands.
2024: Apple makes its first steps into artificial intelligence with the release of Apple Intelligence. The features are not all released at once with many delayed until the following year.
