iPhone SE 4 could outsell previous models

With the iPhone SE 4 launch imminent, one analyst predicts that the upcoming model should outsell its previous iterations — and could cause drama between Apple and Qualcomm.

On Friday, Ming-Chi Kuo posted on X, saying he believes the fourth-generation iPhone SE move more units than previous budget models. He estimates that Apple will ship 12 million units in the first half of the year and 10 million units in the second half. Previously, the iPhone SE lineup was believed to ship 20 million annually, though Apple does not publicly share sales numbers.

He also anticipates that this could help offset the usual post-holiday slump in sales. It would also help boost the adoption of Apple Intelligence, as the iPhone SE 4 will be compatible with Apple's collection of AI-driven features.

iPhone SE4 is expected to ship around 12M/10M units in 1H25/2H25, performing slightly better than previous SE models (typically shipped near 20M units annually after launch). Not only does this help smooth out the usual seasonal dip in shipments, but it also boosts the adoption
— (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) February 14, 2025

Because the iPhone SE 4 will feature Apple's in-house modem, Kuo believes that Qualcomm may examine its modem patents, hoping to collect licensing fees to make up for lost orders.

The iPhone SE 4 is due to be released any time now. Initially, it was predicted that the budget-friendly smartphone would be released before Valentine's day, but it seems that Apple didn't think it was the right time.

However, it still stands an excellent chance of being announced in the next week or two. The second-generation iPhone SE debuted in April 2020, while the third-generation showed up in March 2022.

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While it's hard to know exactly what the yet-unannounced model will bring to the table in terms of features, a plethora of rumors have surfaced to give us some idea. The 2025 iPhone SE will likely mimic the all-display design of the iPhone 14, feature a notch instead of the Dynamic Island, and a single rear camera that has been bumped up to 48 MP.

3 Comments

ForumPost 7 Years · 106 comments

About 1 month ago

I will trade-in my 2nd gen SE for sure. New modem doesn’t bother me much as it won’t be my main iPhones (it could change though if it performs better than expected)

DAalseth 7 Years · 3200 comments

About 1 month ago

I think the SE4 will sell very well, not because of Apple Intelligence though. I think it is a budget phone that will meet most people’s needs at a good price. Couple that with a good deal of economic uncertainty and fears about job security and such I suspect a lot of people are going to opt for a less expensive phone, keep more in their pocket, and see what happens. They can always buy a Pro in a few years if things look better.

2 Likes · 0 Dislikes

charlesn 12 Years · 1360 comments

About 1 month ago

DAalseth said:

Couple that with a good deal of economic uncertainty and fears about job security and such I suspect a lot of people are going to opt for a less expensive phone, keep more in their pocket, and see what happens.

Yes, indeed. "Retail sales post biggest drop in nearly two years" was the headline for January. And, to title-check the famous BTO song, "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet." Wait until all the layoffs and shuttering of government agencies filter down to the AMERICAN businesses that support and do business with those agencies in an infinite number of ways and they start layoffs and shuttering, too, which then filters down to more businesses, etc., etc. And this is amidst consumer credit card balances already being at an all-time high. All in all, it should be a fantastic sales environment for what promises to be a very well-spec'd and (relatively) inexpensive phone like the SE4.