Does the iPhone SE 4 support 5G?

Yes, the iPhone SE 4 supports both Sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G depending on the model and region. This is a major upgrade over the SE 3's 5G implementation.

How much does the iPhone SE 4 cost in the US?

The iPhone SE 4 starts at $499 for the 128GB model in the US. Carrier deals and trade-in offers can bring the effective price down significantly.

Does the iPhone SE 4 have Face ID?

Yes — for the first time in the SE line, the SE 4 drops the home button entirely and introduces Face ID with a full-screen design based on the iPhone 14 chassis.

How does the iPhone SE 4 compare to the iPhone 16?

The SE 4 uses an A16 chip vs the 16's A18, has a single rear camera instead of dual, and lacks an Action Button. However, it's about $200 cheaper and shares the same OLED display size.

iPhone SE 4 Review 2026: Is It Worth Buying?

Why the iPhone SE 4 Is a Big Deal in 2026

For years, the SE line was a compromise: old design, small screen, mediocre battery. The SE 4 changes that story dramatically.

Apple finally killed the home button, brought in Face ID, switched to OLED, added MagSafe, and moved to USB-C — all while keeping the starting price at $499. That’s not a budget phone anymore. That’s a genuinely competitive mid-range device.

Here’s everything you need to know before buying.

iPhone SE 4 Specs at a Glance

Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz
Chip: A16 Bionic
Rear camera: 48MP single lens with Night Mode
Front camera: 12MP TrueDepth with Face ID
Battery: ~3,279mAh, MagSafe 15W wireless
Storage: 128GB / 256GB
5G: Sub-6 + mmWave (US model)
Colors: Black, White, Ultramarine, Teal
Starting price: $499 (128GB, unlocked)

Design: Finally, a Modern iPhone SE

The biggest visual change in SE history is simple: no more home button.

The SE 4 adopts the iPhone 14 form factor — flat aluminum sides, Ceramic Shield front, IP68 water resistance. It’s compact at 138.7mm tall but feels substantial. The notch houses the Face ID system, just like the iPhone 14.

Gone is the chunky-bezeled look that made SE phones feel dated. At a glance, you can barely tell this from a standard iPhone 16.

Build Quality

Ceramic Shield front glass and an aluminum frame give it real durability. IP68 means it can survive 6 meters underwater for 30 minutes. At $499, that’s impressive protection.

The USB-C port replaces Lightning — an overdue upgrade that makes it compatible with your MacBook charger, iPad cable, and basically everything else in your bag.

Display: OLED Finally Comes to the SE

The 6.1-inch OLED panel is a generational leap over the SE 3’s LCD. Colors pop, blacks are true black, and outdoor brightness hits 2,000 nits — bright enough to use in direct sunlight.

The catch: it’s 60Hz. In 2026, when most Android competitors at this price offer 90Hz or 120Hz, the fixed 60Hz refresh rate is the SE 4’s most noticeable compromise.

For social media, reading, and video watching, you won’t notice it much. For gaming and fast-scrolling feeds, it’s noticeably less smooth than a Pro model.

No Always-On Display either. Apple kept that as a Pro feature.

Performance: A16 Bionic Holds Up Well

The A16 Bionic was Apple’s top chip in 2022, and it still holds up extremely well in 2026.

Everyday tasks — apps, streaming, social media — are absolutely effortless. High-end games run smoothly. Geekbench multi-core scores land around 5,000+, ahead of most Android phones in the $400–$600 range.

Apple Intelligence

The SE 4 supports Apple Intelligence. You get the writing tools, photo cleanup, improved Siri, and the expanded ChatGPT integration. English-language features are fully mature by now. This is a meaningful add for productivity users.

Long-term software support is also a strength. Apple typically supports devices for 6+ years, which means the SE 4 should get iOS updates through at least 2031.

Camera: The Biggest Tradeoff

The single 48MP rear camera is capable but limited.

In good light, shots are sharp, detailed, and color-accurate — hard to distinguish from an iPhone 16 photo at a glance. Night Mode works well. 4K 60fps video is supported, along with Cinematic mode.

What you don’t get:

No telephoto lens (no optical zoom)
Digital 2x zoom only (with quality drop)
No ultra-wide lens

If you regularly shoot zoomed-in subjects, group shots that need wide angle, or landscape photography — these missing lenses will frustrate you. The SE 4 is designed for people who mostly use their phone’s main camera.

Front Camera

The 12MP TrueDepth camera handles selfies and FaceTime well. Auto-framing (Center Stage) works in video calls. Portrait mode is supported.

Battery Life: Finally Fixed

The SE 3’s battery life was genuinely bad. Many users couldn’t make it through a full day.

The SE 4 fixes this. With a capacity similar to the iPhone 16, real-world testing shows consistent all-day battery for moderate users — 5–6 hours of screen-on time is achievable. Heavy users (gaming, navigation, lots of video) may still want to top up by evening.

MagSafe 15W wireless charging is supported. Wired charging peaks at 25W. Note: no charger is included in the box.

iPhone SE 4 vs iPhone 16: Which Should You Buy?

The $200 price gap is real, and so are the tradeoffs.

Choose the SE 4 if:

Budget is your primary constraint
You primarily use the main camera lens
You’re new to iPhone and want the full ecosystem experience
You’re upgrading from an SE 3 or older model

Choose the iPhone 16 if:

You shoot photos often and want the dual-camera system
You want the Action Button for quick shortcuts
You want the A18 chip for longer-term performance headroom
The $200 difference isn’t a dealbreaker

iPhone 16 Full Review 2026 →

SE 4 vs Android Competition at $499

At $499, the SE 4 competes against the Google Pixel 8a, Samsung Galaxy A55, and OnePlus 13R.

vs Pixel 8a: Pixel wins on camera versatility (dual lens + Tensor AI). SE 4 wins on long-term software support and ecosystem.
vs Galaxy A55: Samsung offers 120Hz display and triple cameras. SE 4 wins on chip performance and update longevity.
vs OnePlus 13R: OnePlus wins on display refresh rate. SE 4 wins on software polish and longevity.

If you’re in the Apple ecosystem (AirPods, iPad, Mac), the SE 4 is hard to beat at this price.

Best Budget Smartphones of 2026 →

Where to Buy the iPhone SE 4

Best options in the US:

Apple.com (unlocked, full price)
Best Buy (often has instant discounts with trade-ins)
Carrier stores (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile — significant subsidies with new lines)
Amazon (watch for third-party seller ratings)

Trade-in deals can drop the effective price to $200–$300 if you have an older iPhone to hand in.

Final Verdict: The Best Budget iPhone Apple Has Ever Made

The iPhone SE 4 is the most significant upgrade the SE line has ever received.

Face ID. OLED. 5G. A16 Bionic. MagSafe. USB-C. At $499.

The single-camera system and 60Hz display are real limitations. But if those tradeoffs work for your use case, this is an exceptional value — and the most affordable way to enter the full Apple ecosystem in 2026.