Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Phones
  3. Mobile
  4. News

The iPhone SE might serve an unexpected surprise next year

Add as a preferred source on Google
Mockup of fourth-generation iPhone SE camera bump.
iPhone SE 4 render @MajinBuOfficial / Twitter

The next iPhone SE, set for a 2025 market arrival, is shaping up to be one of the most interesting smartphones Apple has offered in years. But it seems there’s also a Plus-sized blockbuster planned for next year.

Japanese website Macotakara has shared images of what it claims to be the “3D printed mockup” of the upcoming iPhone SE. Once again, we are greeted by a familiar design that is nigh identical to the iPhone 14, something that has also been reported by Bloomberg.

Recommended Videos

It would appear that the fourth-generation iPhone SE will also share its dimensions with the iPhone 14, even aping the boat-shaped notch cutout on the front. The main difference would likely be the rear camera island, which only houses a single lens.

However, the biggest surprise in the latest leak report is a Plus model. “The iPhone SE 4 was initially developed in the same 6.7-inch size as the iPhone 14 Plus, with the development of a 6.1-inch model, the same as the iPhone 14, added later,” says the report citing Alibaba sources.

It makes some sense

The iPhone SE 4 leaks via Prosser.
This just might be the next iPhone SE, minus the rounded sides. Front Page Tech / Jon Prosser

Now, we suggest processing this bit of information with a very heavy dose of skepticism. However, adding a larger 6.7-inch option to accompany the 6.1-inch iPhone SE variant would seem to make some sense.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve come across multiple reports claiming that 2025 would mark the end for a Plus trim in the mainline iPhone series. Apple would reportedly fill that gap in the lineup with an iPhone 17 Slim or Air model.

Offering a larger Plus variant would appeal to folks who are on the hunt for a device with a larger screen and battery than a regular 6.1-inch iPhone has. It would also theoretically fill the Plus gap for the mainline iPhones, albeit one that will be available at a lower asking price.

Apple iPhone SE 2024 leaks
Jon Prosser / Front Page Tech

Now, it isn’t clear if the 2025 iPhone will finally get the MagSafe perk, but it would be a desirable upgrade. What seems certain, so far, is that the upcoming iPhone SE will play well with Apple Intelligence.

If the latest iPad Mini is any indication, the upcoming iPhone SE will also be treated to 8GB of RAM, fulfilling the minimum memory quota required for Apple Intelligence. We are not quite sure about the silicon situation though.

It would make sense for Apple to arm the iPhone SE refresh with the A18 processor in the same fashion as the entry-point iPhone 16 models. However, given the fact that Apple put the older but still capable A17 Pro inside the iPad Mini, the company could very well dig into its inventory and go with an older silicon instead.

Nadeem Sarwar
Nadeem is the Managing Editor at Digital Trends.
Reddit wants to send you down new rabbit holes with its personalized ‘For You’ feed
Your Reddit homepage is getting a makeover, with personalized recommendations and a feed dedicated to communities you follow.
reddit

Reddit is giving your scrolling habits a new twist with two homepage feeds designed for different moods. The new 'For You' feed pulls you into communities you never even knew you wanted. Meanwhile, Following keeps things familiar with posts from communities you have already joined.

The update is rolling out globally over the next few weeks, giving you a choice between discovering something new and catching up with your usual favorites.

Read more
Google’s new Android XR tools let developers test apps without needing to buy expensive smart glasses
Google has also added new Android CLI tools to help AI coding agents test apps and catch performance issues.
Gentle Moster smart glasses powered by Android XR

At the 2026 Android Dev Summit, Google has announced some interesting features coming to both Android XR and Android CLI. Developers can now build and test apps for smart glasses without owning the hardware, while Android's command-line tools are getting upgrades that help AI coding agents test applications and identify performance problems. Both announcements could eventually mean better apps for both Android and extended reality hardware users.

Building Android XR apps without owning smart glasses

Read more
Google is making it easier to adapt Android apps for laptops and foldable phones
Google is helping developers make Android apps work beyond smartphones
Electronics, Phone, Mobile Phone

Google updated its adaptive Compose skill to help developers adapt existing Android apps for laptops, foldable phones, tablets, and other form factors, including the upcoming Googlebook platform. The goal of this update is to help AI coding agents customize apps for different screen sizes and input methods without developers having to maintain separate codebases for different devices.

The new skill goes beyond responsive layouts, adding support for desktop-focused features and foldable-specific interface adjustments. Google is also signaling that adaptive app experiences will be more prominent on Google Play, with the company planning to pay more attention to how apps and games perform on foldable devices next year.

Read more