iPhone SE4/iPhone 16e: Notch or Dynamic Island? A17 Pro or A18? Apple's New Phone Is Shrouded in Mystery

iPhone SE4/iPhone 16e: Notch or Dynamic Island? A17 Pro or A18? Apple's New Phone Is Shrouded in MysteryOn January 20th, leaker Evan Blass (@evleaks) extracted images from Apple's software code showcasing upcoming iPhone SE4 and iPad models. Surprisingly, the images depicted the iPhone SE4 with a Dynamic Island, contradicting earlier supply chain reports suggesting a notch identical to the iPhone 14

iPhone SE4/iPhone 16e: Notch or Dynamic Island? A17 Pro or A18? Apple's New Phone Is Shrouded in Mystery

Numerous leaks surrounding Apple's upcoming iPhone SE4/iPhone 16e paint a picture of an iPhone 14 with upgraded single-lens performance. However, as the release nears, the most crucial design element the screen has become a source of intense debate, with the previously assumed notch design undergoing multiple reversals. This article delves into the reasons behind this controversy.

I. The Possibility of a Dynamic Island?

On January 20th, leaker Evan Blass (@evleaks) extracted images from Apple's software code showcasing upcoming iPhone SE4 and iPad models. Surprisingly, the images depicted the iPhone SE4 with a Dynamic Island, contradicting earlier supply chain reports suggesting a notch identical to the iPhone 14. However, Blass himself didn't definitively claim the SE4 would feature a Dynamic Island. For an unreleased product, the relevance of "placeholder assets" in software is limited. Even for released products, Apple's website has recently displayed errors like "iPone," making a developer error a plausible explanation. Therefore, an iPhone SE with a Dynamic Island remains more of a hopeful speculation.

II. The Return of the Notch?

Despite the limited impact of the "Dynamic Island theory," supply chain reports have re-affirmed the notch design. Ross Young, CEO of display supply chain consultancy DSCC, confirmed on January 29th via X that the iPhone SE4 will feature the same notch as the iPhone 14, not a Dynamic Island. He also confirmed BOE's inclusion as a screen supplier for the iPhone SE4.

Another leaker, Sonny Dickson, shared a dummy model of the iPhone SE4. While Dickson's dummy models are generally accurate, they often differ slightly in color details from the final product. Last October, he shared an iPhone SE4 case with a large opening, leading many to speculate the camera and flash would be housed in a single "volcano" design. However, the latest dummy model suggests a departure from this design, with the camera metal ring protruding directly from the rear glass.

III. A17 Pro or A18? The Chip Conundrum

The iPhone SE4 is expected to feature a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, a USB-C port, a 48MP rear single-lens camera, a new-generation A-series chip, 8GB of RAM, Apple Intelligence, and Apple's first self-developed 5G modem. However, the choice of chip A17 Pro or A18 remains a mystery.

The A17 Pro, debuting in the iPhone 15 Pro, utilizes TSMC's N3B process. While this increased costs, performance gains were limited, and overheating issues drew user criticism. The standard iPhone 16, meanwhile, uses the non-Pro A18 chip, manufactured with TSMC's N3E process, showing reasonably good performance. From a product perspective, the A18 would be more logical, but this would create a more awkward product hierarchy. Last October's iPad mini 7 opted for the A17 Pro, but with one GPU core removed. The upcoming standard 11-inch iPad faces a similar dilemma.

IV. Market Pressure on Apple

On January 21st, Counterpoint released Q4 2024 Chinese smartphone sales data: Huawei topped the market share, followed by Xiaomi and Apple. It's noteworthy that OPPO includes OnePlus, Xiaomi includes Redmi, and vivo includes iQOO. Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100%.

Facing intense competition from Huawei and other Chinese brands expanding into the high-end market, Apple ranked third in Q4 2024 with a 17.1% market share, experiencing an 18.2% year-on-year sales decline. Full-year 2024 data showed a 12.6% year-on-year sales drop. Even in the US market, users increasingly favored base models over Pro versions. The combined sales of the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max in the US during Q4 hit a five-year low.

Looking ahead to 2025, whether the budget-friendly iPhone SE4 and the redesigned iPhone 17 series can reverse Apple's declining fortunes in China remains a major question. Apple needs to find new breakthroughs in its product strategy and market competitiveness.

V. Conclusion: Fragmented Information and Market Uncertainty

Information about the iPhone SE4/iPhone 16e remains fragmented, with the veracity of various leaks questionable. The open questionsnotch or Dynamic Island, A17 Pro or A18add to the phone's mystique. Simultaneously, Apple faces fierce competition from Chinese manufacturers and challenges within its own product strategy. The phone's ultimate success will directly impact Apple's competitiveness in the future market. Its fate hinges on Apple's ability to effectively integrate resources, solve technical challenges, and precisely position itself in the market. Its success or failure will not only affect Apple's interests but also have far-reaching implications for the entire smartphone industry. We will continue to monitor developments and provide comprehensive updates.