5 min read
The highly anticipated iPhone SE 4 (2025) is finally set to launch in late February, with a projected price of around $500, making it the most affordable iPhone on the market.
Surprisingly, despite its lower price tag, the iPhone SE 4 has a key advantage over the iPhone 15. It will support Apple Intelligence, a feature unavailable on the iPhone 15.
But what other differences set these two devices apart? And could the budget-friendly iPhone SE 4 actually be the smarter choice? Let’s find out.
Appearance & Size
Both the iPhone 15 and iPhone SE 4 feature a 6.1-inch display and share a similar design language. However, a key distinction lies in their rear cameras—the SE 4 has a single lens, while the iPhone 15 comes with a dual-camera setup.
The SE 4 is expected to adopt flat edges, resembling the iPhone 14, whereas the iPhone 15 retains its rounded-edge design. Rumors suggest the SE 4 may be slightly lighter than its predecessor, though the difference is likely too minor to be noticeable.
On the front, the SE 4 keeps the classic notch, while the iPhone 15 features the more modern Dynamic Island. Given Dynamic Island’s limited functionality, this isn’t a significant drawback for the SE.
It’s unlikely that the SE 4 will include the Action Button or Camera Control button found on the latest iPhone 16 models. Interestingly, neither the iPhone 15 nor the iPhone 16 had these features.
One welcome addition is the USB-C port on both devices, eliminating the need for a separate Lightning cable just for your iPhone.
Camera
| Feature | iPhone SE 4 (2025) | iPhone 15 |
| Rear Cameras | Single main camera | Dual-camera setup (main + ultra-wide) |
| Ultra-Wide Camera | Not available | Included |
| Zoom Capability | Expected 48MP sensor with cropping for better zoom | 48MP sensor with ultra-wide for more versatility |
The absence of an ultra-wide camera on the iPhone SE 4 might not be a major drawback for everyone. While the iPhone 15 offers more flexibility for capturing landscapes and group shots, many users may find that they rarely use this feature.
The SE 4 is expected to include a 48MP main camera with sensor cropping, potentially delivering decent zoom quality even without an ultra-wide lens. Ultimately, the choice depends on individual usage if ultra-wide photography isn’t a priority, the SE 4 could still be a solid option.
Battery Life & Charging
The upcoming iPhone SE 4 is anticipated to feature a 3,279 mAh battery, aligning closely with the iPhone 14’s capacity. This suggests that users can expect similar battery performance, typically lasting through a full day of moderate use.
Charging capabilities are expected to remain consistent with previous models, offering 20W wired charging and 15W MagSafe wireless support.
Speed and Software Experience
Apple seemed unprepared for the rapid rise of AI, leading to some unexpected decisions. Despite being the pricier option, the iPhone 15 does not support Apple Intelligence, while the more affordable iPhone SE 4 will.
Adding to the surprise, the iPhone SE 4 is rumored to feature a faster A18 chip, whereas the iPhone 15 runs on the older A16 Bionic. This makes the SE 4 a compelling choice, especially considering that AI capabilities are missing from the iPhone 15—a drawback that may disappoint many users. While Apple Intelligence may not be groundbreaking yet, its potential for future improvements cannot be ignored.
So, what exclusive AI features does the iPhone SE 4 bring?
- A smarter, AI-enhanced Siri
- ChatGPT integration within Siri
- Genmoji for custom emoji creation
- The Image Playground app for AI-powered visuals
- AI-driven writing tools and more
For consumers, this is a huge win, getting these advanced features at a lower price.
One area of uncertainty, however, is the modem inside the iPhone SE 4. This will be the first iPhone to feature an Apple-designed modem, replacing Qualcomm’s versions used in previous models. Since this is Apple’s first in-house modem, its reliability remains unknown. To be on the safe side, it might be wise to wait for early reviews before making a purchase.
Hardware
| Features | iPhone SE 4 | iPhone 15 |
| System chip | A16 Bionic (4 nm) | Apple Bionic |
| Processor | Hexa-core | Hexa-core, 2×3.46 GHz Everest + 4×2.02 GHz Sawtooth |
| GPU | Apple GPU | Apple GPU 5-core |
| RAM | 4GB | 6GB (LPDDR5) |
| Internal Storage | 128GB, not expandable | 128GB, not expandable |
| OS | iOS (17.x) | iOS (18.x, 17.x) |
| Device Type | Smartphone | Smartphone |
Multimedia
| Features | iPhone SE 4 | iPhone 15 |
| Headphones | No 3.5mm jack | No 3.5mm jack |
| Speakers | Earpiece, Multiple speakers | Earpiece, Loudspeaker |
| Screen mirroring | Wireless screen share | Wireless screen share |
| Additional microphone(s) | Noise cancellation | Noise cancellation |
Connectivity & Features
| Features | iPhone SE 4 | iPhone 15 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| WiFi | 802.11 a,b,g,n,ac,ax(Wi-Fi 6)
Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot |
802.11 a,b,g,n,ac,ax(Wi-Fi 6),Wi-Fi 6E
Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot |
| USB | Type-C (reversible), USB 2.0, Features: Charging | Type-C (reversible), USB 2.0, Features: Charging |
| Hearing aid compatible | M3/T4 | |
| Location | GPS, A-GPS, Glonass, Galileo, BeiDou, Cell ID, Wi-Fi positioning | GPS, A-GPS, Glonass, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS, Cell ID, Wi-Fi positioning, Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving) |
| Sensor | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Barometer | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Barometer |
| Other | NFC, Ultra Wideband (UWB) | NFC, Ultra Wideband (UWB) |
The iPhone SE 4 is shaping up to be a serious competitor to the iPhone 15. With Apple’s shift toward AI-powered features, the SE 4 could offer incredible value especially if you don’t mind missing out on the ultra-wide camera. At an expected price of around $500, it might just be a smarter choice than the $700 iPhone 15.
Of course, these insights are based on leaks and rumors, so the final specs and pricing remain to be seen. However, anticipation is high, and with Apple expected to make an announcement this week, we won’t have to wait much longer to find out.
