The iPhone SE 4 could be the iPhone 16 alternative you need

You’re an iPhone user and could use an upgraded model, but it’s not urgent. The iPhone 16 has been out in stores for almost two weeks. You didn’t pre-order any during the launch weekend, choosing to wait for reviews and, more importantly, for stores to get them.

While supply may be more limited for some iPhone 16 Pro SKUs, you should be able to get your hands on all four models in stores to see if any of them appeal to you. However, as you’ve probably read, the iPhone 16 is a pretty boring update – so much so that Apple Intelligence is the only thing Apple focuses on in its iPhone 16 ads, but the iPhone 16 doesn’t even have Apple Intelligence. features yet.

You may have decided that the iPhone 16 models aren’t for you, but you’re already considering other options. This is where I’m going to tell you that you have three options that you should realistically consider: the iPhone 15 Pro, the iPhone SE 4, and the iPhone 17. Of these, there are only There’s only one iPhone you should buy anytime soon: the iPhone SE. 4. It’s not out yet, but it’s coming soon.

Apple Intelligence is the biggest selling point of the iPhone 16 series, but it’s not even here. This is a situation we have never seen before.

Apple is promoting futuristic software features for a brand new iPhone that you can’t even use after setting up your device. These features should start rolling out this month, but you’ll have to wait until 2025 for the full Apple Intelligence feature set to be available on your iPhone.

But I don’t expect this scenario to ever happen again. Apple Intelligence is expected to grow in complexity and sophistication in the coming years, and future versions of iPhone should offer all-new Apple AI tools as soon as you start using the device. Of course, that doesn’t change the fact that the iPhone 16 lineup doesn’t have much to offer at the moment.

iPhone 15 Pro

Apple Intelligence is why I think it’s a waste of money to consider buying an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 right now. If you’re used to keeping your iPhone for at least three years, you want your next device to be as future-proof as possible. You may not want Apple Intelligence right now, but things may change in the future.

The iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 will never run Apple Intelligence. Not in iOS 18, iOS 19, or iOS 20, even though phones will support those operating systems. They don’t have enough RAM or a good enough neural engine to process the AI ​​on the device like Apple needs.

This is why you should not go lower than the iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max. These are last year’s flagship products and the only “old” iPhones benefiting from Apple Intelligence. Apple no longer sells them, but you should find stock from carriers and electronics retailers. They will be cheaper than the iPhone 16 Pro, but they will still be expensive devices.

iPhone 17 (Air?)

The alternative to the new iPhone is always next year’s models. The 2025 iPhones already look exciting, especially the so-called iPhone 17 Air which will replace the Plus size. This will supposedly be Apple’s thinnest iPhone in years. The Air will run Apple Intelligence out of the box, featuring all-new hardware (think the next-gen A19 chip).

You can expect some compromises from such a phone, like a rear-facing camera system with a single camera instead of two or three. Battery life could also suffer compared to the Plus, given that Apple will have to reduce battery size for the Air models.

The iPhone 17 Air should be cheaper than at least one of the iPhone 17 Pros, but it will cost more than the base iPhone 17 model, which will start at $799 in a best-case scenario.

iPhone SE4

That brings me to what could easily be one of Apple’s best iPhones in years. The iPhone SE 4 will look like the iPhone 14, with a notch in place of Dynamic Island. This won’t be a problem if you’re upgrading from an older phone with a notch. You still get a device with an OLED panel and Face ID functionality. If you still have a Touch ID phone, this could be a problem. But I promise you, Face ID is worth it.

The iPhone SE 4 could also feature a single camera on the back, with a recent report stating that it will have the same 48-megapixel shooter as the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. Not a bad compromise here. This 48-megapixel camera should provide much better photos than the old iPhone you’re using. Let’s say you’re upgrading from an iPhone X, iPhone 11, or iPhone 12. The camera experience should still be superior.

The best thing about the iPhone SE 4 is the hardware. It might look like an iPhone 14, but it will have the guts of the iPhone 16. It’s an A18 chip paired with 8GB of RAM or the kind of hardware that gets you Apple Intelligence support. Best of all, the iPhone SE 4 will age gracefully, as it should run Apple Intelligence for years to come.

A recent report also states that the iPhone SE 4 will introduce Apple’s first 5G modem, which is exciting for several reasons. First, it could improve the connectivity of cellular and Wi-Fi connections. More importantly, it could be cheaper to manufacture than the Qualcomm alternative.

This last point is an important detail considering that the iPhone SE models are budget phones. The starting price of iPhone SE 4 cannot exceed $599. If Apple can sell it for $499 or $549, the iPhone SE 4 should be an instant hit with buyers. Interestingly, Apple still sells the iPhone SE 3 for $429. The next-gen model is expected to be more expensive than that, considering all the upgrade rumors.

Rumors say the iPhone SE 4 will arrive soon, perhaps as early as early 2025 rather than next spring. Back to your scenario: If you ignored the iPhone 16, you could be just months away from a great new iPhone, one that’s more affordable than flagships and ready for Apple Intelligence’s future.