Наталя Хандусенко Gadgets 14 February 2025, 11:01

Apple may introduce a new budget iPhone SE 4 as early as next week

Apple plans to unveil its long-awaited most affordable iPhone model next week.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that the company plans to announce the device as early as next week, with it set to go on sale later this month. Apple is unlikely to hold a launch event for the device, but will instead showcase it on its website, according to sources.

Apple has already discontinued the current SE and iPhone 14 models in the EU because they don’t comply with local laws requiring the use of USB-C, the charging standard adopted for other iPhones in 2023. The next iPhone SE will get the same port, allowing it to return to the EU.

The current SE costs $429, hundreds of dollars less than the regular iPhone 16, which costs $799. Given the new features and design of the updated model, Apple could raise that price. But it will likely remain in the same general range as entry-level smartphones from Samsung and Google.

The new device, codenamed V59, will also be Apple’s first device with its own cellular modem, replacing a component from Qualcomm Inc, Bloomberg News reported. It will have a larger screen with Face ID, as well as a faster A18 chip to help support Apple Intelligence. Removing the home button from the iPhone SE means Apple will completely abandon the iconic interface that debuted on the first iPhone in 2007.

UPD 14.02.2025 11:00

Apple Inc. plans to launch a product on Feb. 19 that Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook described as the «newest member of the family.»

Cook posted a short animation of a metallic Apple logo on the X social network along with the message, without providing more details. The post helped send Apple shares up as much as 2% on Thursday.

Get ready to meet the newest member of the family.

Wednesday, February 19. #AppleLaunch pic.twitter.com/0ML0NfMedu
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) February 13, 2025

What else will Apple introduce?

Apple is planning a broader overhaul of its iPhone lineup this year. The upcoming iPhone 17 and 17 Pro models will receive major updates, as well as a new ultra-thin version, part of the industry’s shift to thinner smartphones.

The iPhone SE announcement will take place around the same time as the presentation of the new PowerBeats Pro 2 headphones. They are expected to be presented on February 11, Bloomberg News reports. The new headphones will be the first from the Apple brand with a built-in heart rate monitor. This is a feature that the company wants to add to the AirPods.

Other non-iPhone products are also coming soon. In the first half of 2025, Apple plans to release a MacBook Air with a faster M4 chip, new low-cost iPads, and updated iPad Air models.