New iPhone Leak Reveals Apple’s Latest Design Decisions

While the main iPhone line is refreshed each year like clockwork, Apple’s mid-range iPhone SE has only seen three versions since the first model was revealed in 2016. That’s set to change in 2025, and we have our best look yet at the next SE.

The details come from the Japanese Apple blog Makotakara. They are reporting on a leaked mockup for a new iPhone SE—which many expect to launch in March 2025. The 3D printed module likely comes from a peripheral manufacturer creating a ‘blank’ iPhone SE to test with a new range of cases.

While these blanks will not reveal any specific specs or choices from inside the smartphone, anything on the outside of the handset is fair game.

The most significant change over previous iPhone SE designs is the move towards a design based around the iPhone 14. The first three iPhone SE models used a Home Button with integrated TouchID. The main line switched away to a gesture-based system and FaceID recognition for unlocking. The iPhone SE is set to follow that design and, as a result, will look more like a modern iPhone.

We can also see that this SE dummy allows for a single camera lens at the rear (next to an LED flash), and the camera island that includes the selfie camera and sensors for FaceID.

The blank does not feature marks for the new Action Button or Capture Button, instead relying on a more traditional side-button approach.

The blank on show here matches many of the details already suspected or leaked around the iPhone SE. While core specifications are not precise, Apple will want to include the Apple Intelligence generative AI suite as part of the phone, and that means it will likely run the latest A18 chipset. The same chipset powers the current iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 pro handsets.

The iPhone SE may be a smaller handset, it will be a cheaper handset, yet it should be on the same footing as the mainline iPhone models.

Now read about the latest problems affecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro…