iPhone SE's Price Hike! Discover the Cutting-Edge New Features Inside!

The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max have arrived, yet an integral member of Apple's smartphone series remains without its much-anticipated refresh.

The iPhone SE is considered overdue for an upgrade by many pundits, and recent leaks hint at a possible rework that might also bring with it a considerable price increase. Reports from PhoneArena indicate that the anticipated fourth-generation iPhone SE could be priced at $499 in the US, which is a $70 increase compared to its current pricing of $429 (£429 / AU$719).

However, upon examining the rumored enhancements slated for the refreshed model, this increase seems justifiable.

Among the potential upgrades is the inclusion of Apple Intelligence, as highlighted by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Despite the speculated price hike, the iPhone SE 4 would stand out as the most affordable entry into Apple’s lineup featuring Apple Intelligence.

The next most economical device with Apple Intelligence would be the 11-inch iPad Air at $599 / £599 / AU$999, followed by this year's iPhone 16 starting at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399.

A revamped iPhone SE priced at $499 could directly compete with Google's Pixel 8a, also priced at $499 (£499 / AU$849), and might pose a formidable challenge to Samsung’s budget-friendly flagship, the Galaxy S23 FE, which stands at $599 (£599 / AU$899).

Should Apple Intelligence be included in the iPhone SE 4, it is anticipated to come equipped with either the A17 Pro or A18 chipset and 8GB of RAM, thereby reducing the technical gap between the SE and the entry-level iPhone 16.

The current third-generation iPhone SE, released in 2022, features 4GB of RAM and the A15 Bionic chipset found in the iPhone 13, tucked within the frame of the iPhone 8, including a Touch ID-enabled home button.

Looking forward, the fourth-generation iPhone SE is expected to embrace the design of the iPhone 14, complete with a full-length notched OLED display, Face ID, and USB-C connectivity. There is debate on whether it will carry one or two cameras.

Bridging the Gap

Introducing an iPhone SE with Apple Intelligence aligns with Apple's recent moves to lessen the disparity between its standard and flagship iPhone models. This year's base-model iPhone 15 came with the Dynamic Island feature and a 48MP main camera. With the iPhone 16 boasting features like the Action Button and Camera Control, the divide is even narrower.

In theory, an iPhone SE featuring the latest A18 chipset, 8GB RAM, and Apple Intelligence would offer a comparable software experience to the iPhone 16. Distinguishing factors between the two would likely involve design and hardware exclusivity, as we don’t expect features like the Action Button to be part of the SE package, although the Dynamic Island might appear.

These insights are based on speculation and leaks for now—Apple will need to confirm any updates, price changes, or specification enhancements for the iPhone SE when the time comes.