AI is about to make the iPhone lineup a lot more interesting
So far, the only way to experience Apple Intelligence on an iPhone is through the iPhone 15 Pro. But according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this might soon change. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman suggests that the entire iPhone 16 lineup is expected to include these advanced features this fall. More intriguingly, he hints that the next iPhone SE, which could launch as early as the beginning of 2025, might also come equipped with Apple Intelligence. If that turns out to be true, Apple’s most affordable iPhone could become a lot harder to pass up.
Traditionally, the iPhone SE has been known for delivering a budget-friendly, yet powerful iPhone experience by recycling an older form factor—most recently, the iPhone 8. This has made it a go-to option for those looking for a cheap iPhone that doesn’t skimp on performance, albeit with a design that’s decidedly outdated. Let’s be honest, the iPhone SE has always been Apple’s budget compromise.
However, rumors have been circulating for a while now that the next SE will adopt the iPhone 14’s design, finally bidding farewell to the iPhone 8-style forehead, chin, and home button that hark back to the pre-iPhone X era. If these rumors are true, the next SE might even sport a 6.1-inch OLED screen. That alone would be a significant upgrade, but there’s more. The fact that Apple’s on-device AI features can’t run on the iPhone 15 due to its lack of power makes it even more likely that the next iPhone SE will be a powerhouse in its own right, offering a modern, high-performance experience.
While the upcoming iPhone 16 is expected to retain certain advantages, such as dual cameras and the 15 Pro’s action button—features that haven’t been rumored for the iPhone SE—one has to wonder how much these extras really matter to the average user. If the next SE looks like an iPhone 14, performs on par with the iPhone 16 lineup, and carries the typical SE price tag, will consumers still be willing to pay more for the additional features of higher-end models?
It’s a compelling question, and one that we might get answers to sooner than we think. If Apple does indeed bring Apple Intelligence to the next SE, it could redefine what we expect from a budget smartphone. The gap between Apple’s most affordable iPhone and its flagship models might just get a lot smaller.
