iPhone SE 4 VS IPhone 16: All you need to know

On February 16, 2025By Littum

It can only be a matter of days until the iPhone SE 4 arrives and if it does, it will ask a big question to iPhone buyers. Are you going to Apple’s new cheap iPhone or iPhone 16, the cheapest of its flagship setup?

We are already familiar with the iPhone 16. It was launched back in September and added a new design and colors, a much improved A18 chip and increases to its cameras. And with the Apple Intelligence features, it’s a strong choice for those looking for a flagship on a budget.

There have been plenty of iPhone SE 4 rumors (or it could be called iPhone 16E), and by the sound of it it becomes a tuned iPhone 14 using new internal hardware to give it the power it needs to Keep up with newer phones and a more modern look outside that finally ditches the aging iPhone 8-based organ used by the last iPhone SE 2022.

Prior to Apple’s February 19th launching event, we compare iPhone SE 4 VS iPhone 16 to see which one will be the better phone that kind of users are. We can see that big changes come to our best iPhones list, and maybe our best cheap phones if the price is right.

iPhone SE 4 VS IPhone 16: Specifications

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iPhone SE 4 specs (rumors) vs iPhone SE 3 (2022)
Row 0 – cell 0	iPhone SE 4 (Rumors)	iPhone 16
Price	$ 499/$ 549	$ 799
Show	6.1-inch OLED	6.1-inch OLED
Update speed	60Hz	60Hz
Rear cameras	48MP head	48MP head, 12MP Ultrawide
Front camera	12MP	12MP
Processor	A18	A18
RAM	8 GB	8 GB
Storage	128 GB	128/256/512GB
Battery size	3.279mAh	3,561 mAh

iPhone SE 4 VS IPhone 16: Rumor of Availability and Price

If iPhone SE 4 launches on Apple’s next launch scheduled for Wednesday, February 19, we would expect it to go up for pre -orders the following Friday (February 21) and for sale Friday after it ( February 28).

The fact that some retailers are already done (and accidentally published) store pages for the new iPhone suggests they think it will be for buying soon. The iPhone 16 was sold in September for $ 799 and the price remains the same, although there are plenty of iPhone 16 offers available.

The current iPhone SE 2022 starts at $ 430, which is almost half the price of the basic $ 800 iPhone 16. But we support for iPhone SE 4 to cost a little more, maybe $ 500 to match its most important rival, Google Pixel 8a.

In comparison, the older iPhone 14, still for sale, costs $ 599.

iPhone SE 4 VS IPhone 16: Design and Display

Thanks to a full specifications leak and several rounds of leaked dummy models for iPhone SE 4, we have a good idea of what it brings to the table. Head among them is a modern flat-sided, all-screen design that uses iPhone 14 as a template.

So prepare to say goodbye to Store Bezels and the Home button and hello to meet ID. We probably do not see newer iPhone features such as action button or camera control, but two things that the iPhone 16 has.

iPhone SE 4 DUMMY Device

(Imagekredit: @Sonnydickson on x)

Both iPhone SE 4 and iPhone 16 have to share a 6.1-inch OLED screen with a 60Hz refreshment speed as Apple still holds 120Hz shows exclusively for its pro iPhones. The display on SE 4 has to hold the iPhone 14’s Facial IID chop instead of using a dynamic island like iPhone 16.

Apple iPhone 16 held in hand.

(Image Credit: Tom’s Guide)

When the iPhone 14 also came with an iPhone 14 Plus model, a source thinks an iPhone SE 4 Plus could be offered this time. This would be an interesting option that would help Apple compete with larger budget phones such as OnePlus 13R. But I don’t put my money on this.

iPhone SE 4 VS IPhone 16: Cameras

Apple iPhone 16 held in hand.

(Image Credit: Future)

The iPhone 16’s 48MP MAIN and 12MP Ultrawide cameras produce impressive photos, like its 12MP front camera when it’s time for selfies. IPhone SE 4 is the tip to get only a 48MP main camera, an improvement from the 12MP rear camera on iPhone SE 2022, but a whole camera down from the iPhone 16.

iPhone SE 4 reproduces

(Image Credit: Majin BU)

We expect the iPhone SE 4 to use the same 12MP front camera as other recent iPhones, a nice resolution increase from 7MP on iPhone SE 2022.

Our great hope is that Apple will add some of its software -based features from its premium iPhones to iPhone SE 4, like Night Mode, Cinematic Mode Video and Photographic Styles.

iPhone SE 4 VS IPhone 16: Performance

iPhone SE 4 reproduces

(Image Credit: Majin BU)

The power in the iPhone SE 4 must be comparable to the iPhone 16 as it is jerked to use the same chip and RAM: an A18 paired with 8 GB of RAM.

Compared to the A15 -Silicium and 4 GB RAM in iPhone SE 2022, it should be a major benefit increase for the new SE model.

Storage options for iPhone 16 vary from 128 GB to 512 GB. SE could come with 64 GB, as the current model does, but it is probably more likely that Apple will offer 128 GB as standard for this model. Maybe Apple will offer a 256 GB version as an opportunity for heavier users.

A subtle upgrade to iPhone SE 4 that no other current iPhone would be able to boast is an Apple-Made 5G modem that starts a three-year process of installing these modems in all Apple’s cellular activated devices.

It is a change that hopefully will not become noticeable (or if it is, only in a positive way), but is significant for Apple’s continuous telephone development.

iPhone SE 4 VS IPhone 16: Battery and Charging

iPhone SE 4 Render

(Image Credit: 4RMD / YouTube)

IPhone SE 4 should get a much larger battery than before, going from 2.018 mAh to 3,279 mAh capacity. However, the iPhone 16’s 3,561 mAh battery will still be bigger, so it will probably offer superior battery life in general.

We could see iPhone SE 4-lean via USB-C charging like iPhone 16. It would be a big switch from the original Lynport-Sports iPhone 14, but one that fits into the recent legislation that requires the use of USB -C.

We would expect the iPhone SE 4 to support the 20W cable charging and 15W Magsafe wireless charging like iPhone 14 as it shares so many other specifications. Apple could offer it an additional upgrade by activating the 25W Magsafe 2 support, but maybe it will hold it to the iPhone 16 series exclusively.

iPhone SE 4 VS IPhone 16: Software and Apple Intelligence

iPhone 16 with Apple Intelligence -Orlogo to iOS 18.1

(Image Credit: Tom’s Guide)

iOS 18 comes pre -installed on the iPhone 16 and we would expect iPhone SE 4 to be the same. Both phones should also get the same software support window, which for iPhones usually means five generations of full updates.

IPhone SE 4 must support Apple Intelligence. These AI features have been a major selling point for the iPhone 16, but it sounds like iPhone SE 4 also gets these features.

Having a much cheaper entry point for Apple’s latest AI tools-such as writing tools, photo cleaning and genmoji-Kunne make it a very compelling middle-class phone.

iPhone SE 4 VS IPhone 16: Outlook

In mounting style with its lower price, iPhone SE 4 may not offer everything the iPhone 16 does, like an ultrawide camera, camera control and greater storage options. But what is important is how much it seems to share with its more expensive siblings.

The option of iPhone SE 4 using the same screen, chip, software and AI features and the total look like a phone, almost twice as expensive, could spell downfall to iPhone 16. A lot of users who like iPhones but not Could care for less about having updated features can find their next phone in iPhone SE 4.

It can be an ideal phone for users who have stopped upgrading for a long time, even for those who are currently using Androids for their better value.

We look forward to reviewing iPhone SE 4 when it arrives. But maybe match-up will look at see 4 against iPhone 16 to see what gives the best and most comprehensive entry into the Apple universe in 2025.