iPhone SE 4 to Launch With Powerful Internals Supporting Apple Intelligence Features in Early 2024, Alongside iPad Air Update

Apple Intelligence was a major highlight of Apple’s iPhone 16 announcement last month, but this advanced feature will only be available on selected models due to specific hardware requirements. However, Apple is on track to upgrade its entire lineup of iPhones, iPads, and Macs with the internal components needed to support these upcoming features. New reports suggest that an updated iPhone SE 4, capable of supporting Apple Intelligence, is expected to launch early next year, alongside a refreshed iPad Air.

Revamped iPhone SE 4 With Apple Intelligence Support Expected to Launch in Early 2024

Apple typically hosts a spring event where it introduces new colors for its products and unveils upgrades either through an online event or a press release. While the format of the upcoming event remains uncertain, Bloomberg’s analyst Mark Gurman reports that Apple is preparing to launch the highly anticipated iPhone SE 4 and the updated iPad Air lineup “early next year.”

Although “early” is somewhat vague, it’s likely that Apple will introduce the new devices in March or April. The event is not expected to stretch beyond spring, as Apple’s annual WWDC event is scheduled for June. If the reports hold true, we could see the iPhone SE 4 debuting with a refreshed design and a larger OLED display as soon as the first quarter of 2025.

The iPhone SE 4 is said to feature a design similar to that of the iPhone 14, but it will also incorporate some of the key features found in the latest models. For instance, previous reports have indicated that the iPhone SE 4 will come with an Action Button. Given Apple’s efforts to bring Camera Control to the standard iPhone 16 models, it’s highly likely that this hardware will also be included in the more budget-friendly SE 4.

The device is expected to move away from Touch ID, opting instead for Face ID sensors integrated into the front display. Additionally, the iPhone SE 4 will house powerful internals, potentially featuring either the A17 Pro or A18 chip, both of which will enable Apple Intelligence capabilities. This is a significant addition, as Apple Intelligence is only available on select models. The timing of the iPhone SE 4’s launch coincides well with the rollout of Apple’s new features.

In addition to the iPhone SE 4, Apple is also rumored to be updating the iPad Air lineup with a new M-series chip, likely the M3 chip that was skipped in the recent iPad Pro models. There are expected to be several internal upgrades as well, including improved connectivity and potentially more RAM. These changes are still speculative, but reports suggest that both the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air models will receive these updates, along with accessory upgrades that may borrow features from the iPad Pro lineup.