I’ve always had a soft spot for the smaller iPhone SE, so much so that I bought it immediately when it was released in 2016.
At the time, this first-generation SE had the design of the 2013 iPhone 5s, packed with the power of the then-class leader, the iPhone 6S.
I loved it as it seemed like the best of both worlds. Back then I still wasn’t convinced that larger iPhones were needed, so having a smaller phone with the latest features made it, at least for me, one of the best iPhones ever made.
Above all, you could use it with one hand, something unheard of in 2024 with the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max! It felt easier to use and more comfortable to hold; At no time was I afraid that it would slip out of my hand.
Recent rumors about an iPhone SE 4 say it will look like an iPhone 13, but will feature some aspects of the iPhone 15, such as the A16 Bionic chip and a USB-C port.
These new rumors made me nostalgic for that first-generation model and how it could fit into the current range. However, one rumored spec in particular, a 6.1-inch display, caught my attention, and for all the wrong reasons.
A special four-inch edition
There have been two occasions in the past where I doubted the rumors and was very surprised when they turned out to be true. The first was the appearance of the iPad mini in 2012, followed by the announcement of the smaller iPhone SE in 2016.
I had previously been happy with owning an iPhone 6s and an iPhone 6, but I missed the smaller design of the iPhone 5. It looked like a sleek Leica camera in a dark blue shade, so I opted for a chocolate-like design. bar with the iPhone 6 in 2014 seemed like a step down to me.
Imagine my surprise then to see the first-generation SE model looking exactly like an iPhone 5. Six months after owning a 6S, I upgraded and had the SE until I gave up on the iPhone 7 in September.
I used it for everything during those six months (gaming, photography, work) and was constantly surprised by its capabilities, given its “budget” orientation. Even its battery surprised me, lasting much longer than my iPhone 5 (7 hours) thanks to the A9 chip and its improved power management.
The SE remains one of the most impressive and fun iPhones I’ve ever owned. Fast forward to 2024 and I’ve come to love larger devices like my iPhone 15 Pro Max with its triple-camera design, Dynamic Island, and 120Hz ProMotion display. I wouldn’t go back to a small SE, but if I stop and dream for a moment, what if just some, if not all, of the latest iPhone technologies could be integrated back into a small-scale iPhone SE? Could it fill the gap of the iPhone mini in Apple’s range?
Could the smaller design return?
Look, I understand. Larger phones are the standard today. It can not be helped. Everyone wants to view and capture content on the biggest, brightest screen possible.
However, I can’t help but think there’s still room for an iPhone mini. The look of that first-generation iPhone SE is timeless to me. If it were introduced in 2024 with a few tweaks, no one would blink twice and think it’s an outdated design for a cheaper phone.
Imagine a design inspired by the first-generation iPhone SE, which has the screen of an iPhone 15 Pro and two more camera lenses to put it on par with high-end iPhones. Add USB-C, an iPhone 16 Pro ‘Capture’ button if the rumors about it turn out to be true, and you have a 4-inch iPhone perfect for the modern era.
I would do everything possible for this. Yes, the mini designs of the iPhone 12 and 13 didn’t do well, but if you take the best design of the last decade to differentiate it from the flagship iPhones, there could be something to appeal to many, including myself.
Of course, rumors claim that the iPhone SE 4 will have a 6.1-inch screen, so this ship may have already sailed, but I can’t help but feel like it’s the wrong way to go.
The phone should be smaller, not bigger. What’s the point of a variety if they generally all fit one style and size? The SE was always designed to appeal to those who wanted a cheaper phone that didn’t share the same design as the latest iPhone line.
The SE 4 shouldn’t stray away from that, and Apple could calm heartbroken iPhone mini fans in the process.
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