iPhone SE 4 Likely to Use Modified iPhone 14 Chassis

Following our last in-depth report on the iPhone SE 4, MacRumors has received additional information which further confirms the claims made in our previous article.

iphone se 4 modified flag edges
The ‌iPhone‌ SE 4, also known by the device identifier D59 and project codename Ghost, is a continuation of Apple’s budget-oriented line of iPhones, and is expected to replace the current third-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE.

With the arrival of the fourth-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE, Apple plans to finally retire the aging ‌iPhone‌ 8-style design used for the previous two generations of the ‌iPhone‌ SE. Instead, the ‌iPhone‌ SE 4 will feature a more modern look and increased display size, closely resembling the base model ‌iPhone‌ 14.

Newly obtained specifications indicate the ‌iPhone‌ SE 4 will use a modified version of the existing ‌iPhone‌ 14 chassis, with the same flat design. The dimensions of the ‌iPhone‌ SE 4 in its current stage perfectly match those of the base model ‌iPhone‌ 14. Recent findings also confirm that the fourth-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE will not include a Touch ID home button, instead featuring an all-screen design derived from the ‌iPhone‌ 14, with Face ID serving as the means of biometric identification.

To better illustrate the size difference between the ‌iPhone‌ SE 4 and the current ‌iPhone‌ SE third-generation, we have included the dimensions for the ‌iPhone‌ 14 and ‌iPhone‌ SE 3, respectively.

‌iPhone‌ 14 dimensions and weight:

  • Length: 146.7 mm
  • Width: 71.5 mm
  • Thickness: 7.80 mm
  • Weight: 172 g

‌iPhone‌ SE 3 dimensions and weight:

  • Length: 138.4 mm
  • Width: 67.3 mm
  • Thickness: 7.3 mm
  • Weight: 144 g

The ‌iPhone‌ SE 4 is expected to be lighter than the ‌iPhone‌ 14 by about 6 grams, weighing 165 grams. The change in weight is likely a result of the single-camera design Apple has planned for the device. Unlike the ‌iPhone‌ 14, the ‌iPhone‌ SE 4 will feature a single 48-megapixel rear camera, developed under the codename "Portland", with a custom backplate for the device to account for the design change.

The decision to use a single-camera design lines up with all previous models of the ‌iPhone‌ SE, with the flash located in a similar position as well. It’s worth emphasizing that there is significant evidence that backs up the single-camera design, with Apple’s internal documentation highlighting it as a key change from the ‌iPhone‌ 14.

Apart from the single-camera design, no other significant factors could impact the weight of the ‌iPhone‌ SE 4. No changes in materials are expected, with the fourth-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE using the same 6013 T6 aluminum found in the ‌iPhone‌ 14, along with a glass backplate. Prototypes of the ‌iPhone‌ SE 4 have been seen in a black color closely resembling the Midnight color variant available for the ‌iPhone‌ 14, suggesting that black will be one of the color options Apple plans to offer with the fourth-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE.

Although the chassis dimensions of the ‌iPhone‌ SE 4 remain identical to that of the base model ‌iPhone‌ 14, the device will bring two significant features greatly differentiating it from previous ‌iPhone‌ models – a multi-purpose Action button and a USB-C port.

The Action button is a user-configurable button located above the volume buttons, first introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro, where it replaces the mute switch. Current information suggests that Apple intends to make the Action button a standard feature across the entire iPhone 16 range, with it eventually being available on the ‌iPhone‌ SE 4 as well. The current development status of the fourth-generation ‌iPhone‌ SE suggests a potential release date of 2025.

While Apple is experimenting with an all-new capacitive Capture button for the ‌iPhone 16‌ range, there are no indications that this feature is being tested on the ‌iPhone‌ SE 4. The Capture button is expected to remain exclusive to the ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup.

It is important to remember that the information presented here is pre-production information and may not reflect the hardware found on final mass production units, as changes are always possible during development.

For more details on what to expect, check out our guide for the iPhone SE 4.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

iPhone 17: What's New With the Cameras

Friday May 2, 2025 3:52 pm PDT by
We've still got months to go before the new iPhone 17 models come out, but a combination of dummy models and leaks have given us some insight into what we can expect in terms of camera changes. Apple is adding new camera features, and changing the design of the camera bump for some models. You might be skeptical of dummy models, but over the years, they've proven to be a highly accurate...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue Face ID

20th-Anniversary iPhone Will Reportedly Feature an All-Screen Design

Saturday May 3, 2025 9:20 am PDT by
Apple's former design chief Jony Ive long dreamed of an iPhone with a truly all-screen design, and his wish might finally become reality in a few more years. The Information today cited multiple sources who said that at least one new iPhone model launching in 2027 will have a truly edge-to-edge display. The device's front camera and Face ID system would both be placed under the screen....
iPhone 17 Air Size Feature

iPhone 17 Air Expected to Have Battery Case Due to 'Worse' Battery Life

Saturday May 3, 2025 8:24 am PDT by
Apple's rumored iPhone 17 Air model will have "worse" battery life compared to previous iPhone models, according to a paywalled The Information report. In internal testing, Apple determined that the percentage of users who will be able to use the iPhone 17 Air for a full day without needing to recharge the device throughout the day will be between 60% and 70%, according to the report. For...
AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Tuesday April 29, 2025 1:30 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature 2

iPhone 18 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Under-Screen Face ID With Top-Left Camera Hole

Saturday May 3, 2025 9:19 am PDT by
Apple's two-generations-away iPhone 18 Pro models will likely feature under-screen Face ID, according to The Information. The paywalled report today cited a source who said the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will have only a small hole in top-left corner of the screen, to accommodate the front-facing camera, with all Face ID hardware moved under the screen. With under-screen Face ID, ...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Apple Plans Split iPhone Launch Strategy: Pro and Foldable in Fall 2026, Standard in Spring 2027

Saturday May 3, 2025 8:32 am PDT by
Starting in 2026, Apple plans to change the release cycle for its flagship iPhone lineup, according to The Information. Apple will release the more expensive iPhone 18 Pro models in the fall, delaying the release of the standard iPhone 18 until the spring. The shift may be because Apple plans to debut a foldable iPhone in 2026, which will join the existing iPhone lineup. The fall release...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 Rumors

Friday May 2, 2025 9:27 am PDT by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we look at what to expect from the 2025 Apple Watch lineup when new models launch in the fall. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos The Apple Watch Series 11 is anticipated to offer hypertension detection as the device's next major health monitoring advancement, potentially with AI-powered health-coaching features. It is ...

Top Rated Comments

Oldfash33 Avatar
20 months ago
Thats great for many, but what about the MINI fans out there???
Score: 49 Votes (Like | Disagree)
greenbreadmmm Avatar
20 months ago
Why does apple think everyone wants iPads in their pocket ?
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Keymaster Avatar
20 months ago
It's really too bad that Apple isn't interested in making the Mini size anymore. They are following the market, which seems to want larger phones to watch videos and play games on, but it's hard to believe that there isn't enough market for a smaller size phone. This thread is already mostly about missing the Mini, that should be telling Apple something...maybe the foreign market finds the Mini so unpalatable that they don't sell there (it always seems like it's Americans complaining about the missing Mini).

I really do like the Mini after years of using an iPhone X, it's just much nicer. I don't watch videos on my phone though.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Gengar Avatar
20 months ago
Would’ve been a perfect time to reintroduce the mini form factor.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coffeemilktea Avatar
20 months ago
I wondered if maybe it would use the now-abandoned 13 mini chassis, just because it seemed like it would be cheaper than re-engineering the iPhone 14 design to only have a single camera ?
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jmonster Avatar
20 months ago
Everyone, remember, almost none of the rumors in this site are accurate.

This further solidifies that it IS going to be a 14 Mini.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)