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Claimed iPhone SE 4 dummy units show notch instead of Dynamic Island

The video isn't clear, but the top of this dummy unit does seem to show a notch-style position for the front camera


A new video claiming to show a dummy iPhone SE 4 unit contradicts recent rumors saying that it will have a Dynamic Island rather than the older-style notch.

It's regularly been claimed that the forthcoming iPhone SE 4 will be based on the iPhone 14, which featured a notch. The most recent rumor, however, was that the iPhone SE 4 would instead feature a Dynamic Island.

Leaker Majin Bu has shown off what he or she claims are dummy iPhone SE 4 units, and done so with a series of photos and one video. As it's a dummy unit, the iPhone is not working and so the screen is completely blank, but it still appears to show the old-style notch.

Dummy units are made by case manufacturers, based on the best information they have, which may often be no more than rumors. Since their aim is to make cases that fit the device, there's usually no reason to care what the screen itself shows or comprises.

Conceivably, there could be cases that have cutouts for the Live Activities part of an iPhone screen, although the space those take up varies. However, Live Activities also need an always-on display, and it is not expected that the iPhone SE 4 will have that feature.

So even if the dummy unit is real, it's still not conclusive proof either way.

Leaker Majin Bu's photographs are clearer, but all of the back of two such purported dummy units.

One factor backing up the opposing claim that the iPhone SE 4 will have a Dynamic Island is the economy of scale. Once Apple discontinues the iPhone 14, every current iPhone model would have the Dynamic Island.

It's still possible that Apple will retain the notch for the iPhone SE 4, though. For one thing, the company is reported to be aiming to keep the iPhone SE 4 low cost, compared to the other models.

Then equally, Apple will need to keep sufficient differentiation between its models and a visual difference could be significant.

Note that leaker Majin Bu has a poor track record in Apple leaks. Previous claims have included that an iPhone 15 Ultra would be released in 2022, and feature two front-facing cameras.



6 Comments

charlesn 12 Years · 1298 comments

One factor backing up the opposing claim that the iPhone SE 4 will have a Dynamic Island is the economy of scale. Once Apple discontinues

 the iPhone 14, every current iPhone model would have the Dynamic Island.

Ummm... every current iPhone model (except the SE) also has at least 2 camera lenses. But the new SE will still be the only model with one lens. I'm sure the cost savings in simply repurposing the existing and completely amortized iPhone 14 screen with notch are more substantial than moving to Dynamic Island for economy of scale. It also puts some needed differentiation between the SE and the iPhone 16 model priced above it. (Although personally, I prefer the notch to Dynamic Island and find it less intrusive.)

1 Like · 0 Dislikes
tht 24 Years · 5732 comments

All the blurry image shows is the speaker slot and a camera hole on the left? While it could be a notch, it could also be the dynamic island too. Hard to tell.

mattinoz 10 Years · 2543 comments

They should do a dynamic peninsula by turning the notch on the side.

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mattinoz 10 Years · 2543 comments

charlesn said:
One factor backing up the opposing claim that the iPhone SE 4 will have a Dynamic Island is the economy of scale. Once Apple discontinues the iPhone 14, every current iPhone model would have the Dynamic Island.

Ummm... every current iPhone model (except the SE) also has at least 2 camera lenses. But the new SE will still be the only model with one lens. I'm sure the cost savings in simply repurposing the existing and completely amortized iPhone 14 screen with notch are more substantial than moving to Dynamic Island for economy of scale. It also puts some needed differentiation between the SE and the iPhone 16 model priced above it. (Although personally, I prefer the notch to Dynamic Island and find it less intrusive.)  

A Dynamic Island on the SE would just confuse the offer in a time when incoming tariffs on top of un checked inflation are going to smash the availability of dollars to spend in their biggest market. 

They’d want to diversify and put as big a gap between devices as possible in the face of those market conditions. 

I could see them dropping both 15 and 14 from the lineup not doing a 17 base at all so the slim can slot in base iPhone plus tariffs price point. Giving them 4 clean devices pro, slim, base, SE moving the slim and base into a 2 year tick-tock schedule. 

They’d still need heavy production rationalisation of the 16 to keep the shelf price close to current for last years model in the USA
edit: to say this will be great for the rest of world pricing assuming war is avoided. 

charlesn 12 Years · 1298 comments

mattinoz said:
charlesn said:
One factor backing up the opposing claim that the iPhone SE 4 will have a Dynamic Island is the economy of scale. Once Apple discontinues the iPhone 14, every current iPhone model would have the Dynamic Island.

Ummm... every current iPhone model (except the SE) also has at least 2 camera lenses. But the new SE will still be the only model with one lens. I'm sure the cost savings in simply repurposing the existing and completely amortized iPhone 14 screen with notch are more substantial than moving to Dynamic Island for economy of scale. It also puts some needed differentiation between the SE and the iPhone 16 model priced above it. (Although personally, I prefer the notch to Dynamic Island and find it less intrusive.)  

A Dynamic Island on the SE would just confuse the offer in a time when incoming tariffs on top of un checked inflation are going to smash the availability of dollars to spend in their biggest market. 

Apple maintains different list prices for different parts of the world and I can only speak for prices here in the U.S., but when Trump slapped tariffs on China during his first term, iPhone prices didn't increase at all. So we can't assume higher Chinese tariffs will translate to a higher price. On a straight dollar cost comparison, iPhone prices haven't changed since the 11 series first introduced the iPhone and iPhone Pro as the two model designations. But, when you take inflation into account, the cost of iPhone has actually dropped very significantly since then. The base price of the iPhone 11 in 2025 dollars would be $986. So the base iPhone 16, at $799, is 19% cheaper. The base price of the iPhone 11 Pro in 2025 dollars would be $1233, and the base 16 Pro, at $999, is also 19% cheaper. And, of course, Apple keeps giving us a better and better phone with each new model year.