A while ago, I passionately advocated that regardless of the rumored features of Apple's upcoming iPhone SE next year, the essence of the iPhone SE 4 hinged on the chipset powering the new device. And I still firmly stand by this stance. However, I do acknowledge that there is one other potential alteration to the SE that will play a significant role in determining the success of this new phone.

Unleashing Mid-Range Potential with iPhone SE 4

Camera Boost: A Game-Changer for the iPhone SE 4

Specifically, the iPhone SE is set to receive a substantial camera upgrade. This is crucial considering the developments in the mid-range phone market over the past two and a half years since Apple last released an SE version. During this time, other phone manufacturers have emulated Apple's approach by incorporating premium features from their flagship models into their more affordable offerings.For instance, look no further than the Google Pixel 8a to witness this strategy in action at its best. The Pixel 8a costs several hundred dollars less than current flagship phones, starting at $499. Yet, its camera setup benefits from Google's exceptional photo processing algorithms and AI features. As a result, this lower-cost device produces images that can hold their own against the best camera phones with higher price tags. It absolutely outshines the camera performance of other phones in its price range.This includes the current iPhone SE, which unfortunately has to compete against the Pixel 8a with its aging single-lens camera setup. Our 200-photo face-off between the current iPhone and the Pixel 8a was a clear victory for Google's phone. Therefore, if Apple wants to reclaim its mid-range dominance, something significant needs to be done with the next iPhone SE.If we consider the rumors surrounding the iPhone SE 4, that something appears to be a much-needed update to the main camera. According to various accounts, Apple will stick with a single rear camera lens on its next mid-range phone. But it seems that the 12MP sensor powering that camera is ready to be phased out, as it has been on all other iPhone models.Instead, rumors suggest that the iPhone will feature a 48MP sensor. Recent reports have backed this claim, stating that the iPhone SE 4 has entered production with suppliers providing this 48MP shooter. This means that the iPhone SE 4 will have the same main camera as the iPhone 16 (albeit the iPhone 16 is supplemented with an ultrawide lens).The significance of the iPhone SE 4 adopting such a camera goes beyond just an increase in resolution. The iPhone 16 can crop in on zoom shots, effectively emulating a 2x optical zoom. I have tested 2x zooms taken by other iPhones with 48MP cameras, specifically the iPhone 15, and the shots are on par with those taken by a camera phone with a dedicated zoom lens. These other phones regain their advantage once you zoom beyond 2x, but for basic close-ups, this is a highly effective approach that Apple uses on its non-Pro models.And this is what the iPhone SE 4 potentially has in store if it comes with a 48MP camera. Improved zooms will truly help Apple's budget phone stand out as it will be competing against other devices that also lack a dedicated zoom lens. Only the Pixel 8a and its AI-boosted Super Res Zoom feature will offer something similar for close-ups.

Beyond Cameras: The Impact of the Chipset

Bolstering the iPhone SE's camera should undoubtedly be a top priority for Apple with the next SE model. After all, taking photos is one of the primary tasks we expect our phones to handle. Provide us with a low-cost iPhone with a better camera and support for night photos, and the iPhone SE 4 becomes a more appealing option.But a better camera isn't the only improvement to look forward to before the phone's release. Recall how I mentioned the iPhone SE 4's chipset at the beginning of this article? While the camera is important in how we perceive phones, the system-on-chip Apple uses in the iPhone SE 4 will be even more critical.Historically, iPhone SE models have tended to use the chipset of the previous fall's flagship iPhone. With a March 2025 launch speculated for the next iPhone SE 4, it is likely that the new phone will take cues from the iPhone 16, which was released in September. As you may recall, this iPhone runs on Apple's A18 silicon.The A18 certainly offers strong performance compared to top Android devices, and its power management features enable each iPhone 16 model to last longer on a charge than their iPhone 15 counterparts. Both of these qualities will undoubtedly benefit a new iPhone SE. Additionally, an A18 chipset will provide the iPhone SE 4 with sufficient on-device processing power to handle Apple Intelligence features, bringing this suite of AI tools to a more affordable Apple device.In fact, a low-cost phone with strong camera performance and the kind of AI-powered capabilities typically seen in mid-range models sounds remarkably similar to the description of the Pixel 8a. If these features also become the iPhone SE 4's unique selling point, the mid-range phone market is set to become even more intriguing next year.