Today, as I was spending time on Instagram’s “Discovery” page, I stumbled upon a post comparing a supposed iPhone SE 4 with the newly release iPhone 16:
| Model | iPhone SE 4 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1″ OLED Display | 6.1″ OLED Display |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Front Design | Notch | Dynamic Island |
| Face ID | Yes | Yes |
| Build Material | Aluminium design | Aluminium design |
| Action Button | Yes | Yes |
| Processor | A18 Chip | A18 Chip |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| AI support | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | Single 48 MP camera | Dual |
| Camera Control | No | Yes |
| 5G Modem | Apple-designed | Qualcomm |
| Battery | 3,279 mAh | 3,561 mAh |
| Charging Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Price | ~$499 | $799 |
If this turns out to be true, I think Apple might just be about to do something truly revolutionary: democratize premium mobile computing. Despite those who say the baseline iPhones are a “budget” option, this may really be the case for the iPhone SE 4. To me, the implications of this is more than just another phone launch, but as potentially the last smartphone to actually purchase for what it brings to the table.
Same display size, same processor, same RAM — possibly even the same AI capabilities. Yet, a $300 price difference stands between them.
Apple’s greatest strength isn’t innovation — it’s knowing exactly where to compromise.
The photography industry has long known a truth that smartphone manufactures would rather forget: more lenses don’t automatically equal better photos. Legendary photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson captured some of history’s most iconic images with a single 50mm lens. For the vast majority of users who primarily shoot in daylight and post to social media, the difference between one well-implemented camera and two is negligible at best, anyway. And although the SE’s battery apparently will be slightly smaller, with the A18’s efficiency most users who barely push their phones beyond basic tasks won’t notice any difference at all.
Despite having a 60Hz display (which most people would turn off if any higher because it drains battery like crazy), it particularly becomes interesting when the history of refresh rates is considered. For decades, 60Hz was the gold standard for everything — the sudden push for higher rates in smartphones coincided suspiciously with manufacturers running out of meaningful ways to differentiate their flagship devices.
Another possible disruption for this supposed SE launch (if this table turns out to be true, that is) is the potential death of the used iPhone market. For years, buying a used flagship has been the smart consumer’s path to premium features at reasonable prices. But the SE 4’s could effectively destroy this entire system, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Why would anyone pay above $400 for a two-year-old flagship when they could get a brand new phone with current-generation processor, at least five years of software updates, fresh battery and full warranty? The traditional argument for buying “entry-level” flagships evaporates when the SE 4 offers 90% of those features in a new device at the same price point.
This change can have profound, positive effects for the consumer. I believe that because the used market has long served as a pressure release valve for Apple’s premium pricing strategy by allowing them to maintain such high prices while still capturing price-sensitive consumers through the secondary market, this new iPhone can really come in handy. The SE 4 can essentially bring this strategy in-house, giving the potential for Apple to directly access a segment they’ve historically only served indirectly: in countries like Brazil and India, where an iPhone 16 costs nearly three months of average income, the SE 4 isn’t just another option but rather the option. It’s the turning point for Apple to stop being a luxury brand and becoming a legitimate computing platform for the middle class in these emerging economies.
Not only this, but there is yet another implication to this: bridging the gap between those who can access premium digital experiences and those who cannot. What I mean by this is how little additional performance most users actually need — putting a current-generation processor in an otherwise modest device aligns perfectly with acknowledging that, for most users, raw processing power matters far more than fancy cameras or variable refresh rates.
Clearly I don’t mean to say the baseline and Pro iPhone lines are irrelevant or stupid. The existence of a Porsche 911 GT3 doesn’t invalidate the Cayman, vice-versa. Professional photographers, videographers, and power users will always need the best tools available. The difference is that now everyone else doesn’t have to pretend they do too and there is something refreshingly honest about a device that says “this is all most people need, and that’s okay“.
Looking ahead, the SE 4 could represent a turning point in smartphone evolution. For years, the industry has operated on the assumption that more is always better — more cameras, more sensors, more features. But perhaps “having enough” can be the true end for all the currently endless upgrade cycles and featureless releases, to the point it isn’t just economically efficient but also environmentally efficient, after all every new device represents not just monetary cost but also environmental cost in terms of rare earth minerals, manufacturing energy, and the eventual e-waste.
With a powerful but focused device like the iPhone SE 4 becoming widespread, developers might be encouraged to create more efficient, focused applications rather than bloated software that requires the latest hardware to run effectively (sometimes to run at all).
In the end, this could really just be the last smartphone I ever buy.
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