Home New iPhone SE 4 may ditch home button and add face ID instead

New iPhone SE 4 may ditch home button and add face ID instead

TLDR

  • New iPhone SE may ditch the home button, add Face ID, and resemble the iPhone 14.
  • iPad Air models, new keyboards, and iPad mini updates are expected by late 2024.
  • Revamped Mac minis, MacBook Pros, and iMacs with M4 chip are anticipated for 2025.

Apple is reportedly working on a new iPhone SE that may ditch the home button and add Face ID. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the low-end phone is due to be announced next year. Codenamed V59, the new models is expected to support Apple Intelligence. The tech giant also plans to manufacture new iPad Air models and keyboards for release around the same time.

They’re said to look like the iPhone 14, removing the bulky top and bottom bezels and the home button. There’s also speculation that the iPhone SE 4 will get an OLED screen, rather than the usual LCD. Gurman suggests that this is the first update to the iPhone SE since 2022, when Apple added 5G capability to the device.

The third-generation iPhone SE was released two years ago. It kept the home button while the more premium iPhone editions removed it in favor of a full touch screen display and facial recognition unlocking, while its design remained outdated compared to newer models. It also lacked many of the standard features you would expect to find in an iPhone, including trivial things such as night-mode photos.

Meanwhile, the new iPad Air models are reportedly codenamed J607 and J637, and will have some internal improvements. The Cupertino-based firm will also deliver an updated Magic Keyboard accessory, codenamed R307 and R308, for both the 11-inch and 13-inch versions of the new Air. A new iPad mini, called J410, could be landing by the end of 2024.

Revamped Mac minis, updated MacBook Pros and iMacs with an M4 chip are also on the cards for 2025. The platform will also reach new MacBook Airs, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro devices. However, we might not see a new iPad Pro in 2025 since the current version is already a generation ahead.

What to expect with the new iPhone SE 4

In September, ReadWrite reported that the new iPhone model could also have a 6.1-inch display, which is much bigger than the current 4.7-inch display on the third-generation SE. Rumors suggest that the SE 4 will also be upgraded to a single-lens 48-megapixel camera to keep the costs down.

One thing we can be certain of is the introduction of a USB-C charging port, thanks to the EU’s ruling that every smartphone must have it by 2024.

ReadWrite has reached out to Apple for comment.

Featured image: Apple

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Suswati Basu
Tech journalist

Suswati Basu is a multilingual, award-winning editor and the founder of the intersectional literature channel, How To Be Books. She was shortlisted for the Guardian Mary Stott Prize and longlisted for the Guardian International Development Journalism Award. With 18 years of experience in the media industry, Suswati has held significant roles such as head of audience and deputy editor for NationalWorld news, digital editor for Channel 4 News and ITV News. She has also contributed to the Guardian and received training at the BBC As an audience, trends, and SEO specialist, she has participated in panel events alongside Google. Her…

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.