Apple is expected to launch a new iPhone SE and the PowerBeats Pro 2 as early as February 11, according to Bloomberg. The announcement appears to be relatively low-key, as the company has not issued invites for an in-person or virtual event.
What to expect from iPhone SE 4 and PowerBeats Pro 2?
Apple reporter Mark Gurman indicated that the company anticipates announcing the iPhone SE early next week, with a sale date likely later in the month. The previous community expectation had set the launch for Q1 2025, but more recent reports suggested a release might occur in late March or early April, coinciding with the rollout of iOS 18.4 and the introduction of Apple Intelligence’s first-generation suite of AI tools.
This new iPhone SE will be the fourth generation of Apple’s budget-oriented model and the first since 2022. The previous model, integrated into the iPhone 13 lineup, was priced at $429 and featured design elements similar to the iPhone 8, notably including a Touch ID fingerprint scanner. This model has since been discontinued in the EU due to compliance issues with the Common Charger Directive because of its Lightning port.
The incoming iPhone SE is expected to feature a USB-C port and align more closely with the design of the iPhone 14 series. The new model likely signals the end of the Touch ID home button as facial recognition through Face ID becomes standard.
Apple iPhone SE 4 could shock you with its new Dynamic Island
Furthermore, the fourth-generation iPhone SE is anticipated to be compatible with Apple Intelligence, similar to the iPhone 16 series and iPhone 15 Pro. It may also debut an in-house modem, marking a shift in Apple’s strategy to reduce dependence on companies like Qualcomm for 5G technology.
This iPhone SE is positioned to gain significant traction outside the U.S., particularly in China and India, the largest smartphone markets globally. Apple has experienced challenges in China, where iPhone sales fell 11% year-over-year, largely due to competition from local manufacturers such as Huawei and the absence of Apple Intelligence in the Chinese market.
In conjunction with the iPhone SE announcement, Apple is believed to reveal the PowerBeats Pro 2, which follow the first-generation release nearly six years ago. The new Bluetooth earbuds are expected to include built-in heart rate tracking, expanding Apple’s wearable health initiatives beyond the Apple Watch.
According to a February 9, 2025, update from Gurman, he has expressed some skepticism regarding the iPhone SE launch this week, suggesting that Apple’s plans could be altered. He identified potential new features such as the removal of the physical home button, introduction of Face ID, and the switch from a Lightning connector to a USB-C port.
Rumors indicate the iPhone SE could be priced around $500, representing an increase of $20 over the previous model’s starting price for 128 GB of storage. The device’s early launch could benefit Apple by providing essential user data on its new modem ahead of the expected release of the iPhone 17 models in September 2025.
Is iPhone SE 4 release date February after all?
Apple’s decision to launch the iPhone SE prior to the Mobile World Congress on March 3 could strategically position the company against competitors in the mid-range smartphone market, where many new devices will be announced.
However, the iPhone SE faces several challenges due to changes in the mid-range market landscape. The competition features smartphones with improved cameras, faster processors, increased storage, and advancements in generative AI. The iPhone SE’s single-lens camera and potential pricing could present hurdles, highlighting the importance of Apple’s preemptive move to control the narrative around the device’s launch.
Featured image credit: AB/Unpslash
