Next iPhone SE looks like a banger

Sounds like Apple's budget iPhone will receive some worthy upgrades.

Author

Leander Kahney
October 02, 2024

Apple has long struggled to make a budget iPhone — Jony Ive and Steve Jobs just never really had it in them.

Early attempts like 2013’s iPhone 5c, memorably called “unapologetically plastic” by Ive, met with middling success.

It wasn't until 2016’s iPhone SE that Apple stumbled on a winning formula: repackaging older iPhones as new. The first iPhone SE — released when the iPhone 6s lineup was going strong — was basically a repackaged iPhone 5.

There have been a couple of new iPhone SE generations since, but Apple’s update cycle for the product has been spotty. The company does not refresh the budget model every year like the main iPhone lineup.

For example, Apple released the current iPhone SE in March 2022 — and it’s starting to get pretty long in the tooth.

The good news is that a new model is rumored to be released early next year, and it looks like a banger: The new model will be a repackaged iPhone 14 — an excellent phone — with a better, edge-to-edge screen and some other improvements.

And best yet, it’ll be beefy enough to run Apple Intelligence but will start at about half the price of the lowest-cost “regular” iPhone. Details here.

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • The good folks at iFixit tried to tear down the new AirPods 4. It didn’t go well.

  • No matter how much storage you buy, your Mac always fills up. JWizard Cleaner is a great way to reclaim some space by clearing out stuff you don’t need with a single click.

  • I don't really need a new MacBook, but the one I’m using — a 13-inch MacBook Air from 2017 — is starting to really drive me crazy. I only use it occasionally, so I’ve been low-key looking for a cheap M1 MacBook Air to replace it. All year, I’ve watched as prices have slowly decreased — and guess what? We have a refurb M1 Air for just $520 — as low a price as I’ve seen to date. I’d buy it myself, but I’m looking for a model with 16GB of RAM. But if 8GB of RAM is all you need, this is a good deal for an M1 MacBook Air.

  • Apple stopped using leather for its iPhone cases, but Mujjo didn’t. The company built a reputation for making great leather iPhone cases — and our hands-on review of Mujjo’s latest offerings only confirms that.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

iPhone SE 4 with Apple Intelligence on course for early 2025

Stay updated on an upcoming release: the iPhone SE 4. Learn about its AI features, redesigned appearance and budget-friendly price.

Watch this teardown utterly destroy AirPods 4

When an iFixit teardown destroys AirPods 4 -- just annihilates them -- you know the repairability score will be dismally low. Zero, actually.

iPad Air could be in for a quick performance upgrade

2025 iPad Air rumors are starting to circulate. The upgraded tablet is coming more quickly than might be expected.

A message from JWizard Cleaner

Easily delete your Mac's system junk with JWizard Cleaner

Don't let system junk like browser cache and duplicate files slow down your Mac. Get JWizard Cleaner and clean your Mac with one click.

Apple might rely on China for iPhone parts after fire destroys Indian factory

The company supposedly will rely on its Chinese suppliers to meet component shortages following a conflagration at a key factory in India.

‘Wolfs’ becomes most-watched film on Apple TV+

The new movie starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney tops other crowd-pleasers like "The Instigators." Who needs a big theatrical release?

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Get all the great apps in Adobe Creative Cloud at a huge discount

Gain access to more than 20 popular creative apps, including Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere Pro, with this discounted Adobe Creative Cloud subscription.

Grab an M1 MacBook Air at an unbeatable price

Pick up the perfect laptop for students at a price that's perfect for anyone. Get a refurbished M1 Macbook Air on sale for just $514.99.

How to watch the Charlie Brown Halloween special for free

Even though “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” is on Apple TV+, the Halloween special is still available for free in 2024. Here's how.

Mujjo’s fine leather case dresses up and protects iPhone 16 Pro [Review] ★★★★½

Our hands-on Mujjo leather iPhone case review finds the covering protects iPhone 16 Pro well -- and with an undeniable touch of class.

‘Where's Wanda?’ might be funnier in German [Updated: Now streaming]

Apple TV+ trailer for German comedy "Where's Wanda" suffers a bit from dubbed English, but the show might work better in its mother tongue.

8 best new features in the Notes app in iOS 18

Apple makes significant improvements to its Notes app in iOS 18. Here are the top eight features you should be aware of.

Today in Apple history: IBM and Apple shake and make up

On October 2, 1991, an Apple-IBM deal stunned the world as the two rivals put aside their differences to work together. Power Macs ensued!

Bookshelf speakers kick out MacBook Air's jams on the cheap [Setups]

Looking for affordable speakers to pump up your computer setup? This MacBook Air user enjoys 60-watt Sanyun Bookshelf Speakers.

Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

❝

People don’t know what they want until you show it to them. That’s why I never rely on market research. Our task is to read things that are not yet on the page.

— Steve Jobs, 2008.

Today’s poll

What kind of case are you using on your iPhone 16?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Results from yesterday’s poll: How do you like the iPhone's new Camera Control?

Best reader comments

Subscribe to The Weekender — Get the week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.

Reply

or to participate.