Malcolm Owen
The fourth-generation iPhone SE may not have a 6.1-inch LCD screen after all, with an analyst claiming that the screen itself hasn't been finalized by Apple.
Apple is currently on its third generation of iPhone SE, with rumors already swirling about the iPhone SE 4. While there have already been some claims made about changes, it seems that debate is still continuing regarding its display.
Posted as a limited-access supertweet to followers on Twitter, analyst Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants says there are murmurs that Apple has "not yet finalized its display choice on the SE4." As to what the display could be, Young says Apple is considering 6.1-inch OLEDs from two suppliers as well as 5.7-inch to 6.1-inch LCDs, also from two suppliers.
Adopting OLED would bring the iPhone SE in line with other current-gen iPhone models in using the technology. While it could create a bright and vibrant display, it will also raise the price of the component against the highly matured LCD-based screen technology.
The size of the display has been up for debate for some time, with Young previously forecasting a 5.7-inch to 6.1-inch LCD display back in 2021. On October 9, Young refined the forecast for the display, narrowing it down to a 6.1-inch screen with a notch.
Other rumors about the iPhone SE include an adoption of the Dynamic Island concept in a 2024 update. A December 2021 forecast from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo speculated a 2023 iPhone SE release, while other claims in August 2022 put forward the idea that the overall design could resemble the iPhone XR.
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10 Comments
An easy win for consumers and Apple would be to repurpose the iPhone 13 mini chassis for the next gen SE.
While Apple is busy coming up with new iPhones in standard and Max versions every year, maybe they could switch to a slower pace for the others.
People that buy SEs and Minis aren't nearly as likely to need the latest and greatest. Going to an alternate 2 year upgrade cycle for those phones, one year an SE upgrade next year a Mini upgrade, might help keep development costs down, while still keeping those categories relatively up to date.
SE iPhone consumers are not spec but price conscious. They need larger screen real estate(current round touchid and 4.7" out, 5.7" in) in a smaller frame. If Apple comes out with SE4 with the same design as SE3 with just internal updates then consider SE4 is DOA. Apple have to make drastic changes to SE4 design to keep it alive. Changes like edge-to-edge screen, move touchid to power button or faceid, keep price low as possible. Apple should make sure every iPhone liking users to stay within Apple echo system.