An 18-year era ends: The iconic iPhone design will become history

Apple’s upcoming iPhone SE 4 is not only a masterpiece that inherits the iPhone SE series’ consistent high cost-effectiveness, but also brings significant changes in many aspects.

The new phone is expected to combine the core features of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 16, from the full-screen design to Face ID, USB-C interface and Apple’s self-developed 5G modem.

It is worth noting that the HOME button, which has been on the iPhone for 18 years, will be cancelled this time. This move also means that Apple will no longer sell any iPhone models with a HOME button.

iPhone SE 4: A farewell to the history of the home button

The iPhone’s HOME button first appeared on the first generation iPhone released in 2007. This physical button was one of the iconic designs of the iPhone at the time, and users could use it to return to the home screen, perform multitasking operations, and perform other functions.

In 2012, Apple introduced Touch ID fingerprint recognition for the iPhone 5s. With this single button, Apple successfully shaped the iconic design of several generations of iPhone products.

However, starting with the iPhone 7, with the introduction of Face ID, Apple began to phase out this physical button and use a virtual Home button (which achieves similar functions through the touch screen). Later, with the launch of the iPhone X (2017), Apple completely abandoned the Home button and switched to a full-screen design, ushering in the era of smartphones without physical buttons.

Compared with traditional Touch ID fingerprint authentication, Face ID not only provides higher security and convenience, but has also become one of the standard technologies of modern smartphones.

Apple introduced this technology to the new SE series so that users can enjoy higher security while experiencing the same smart experience as high-end models.

For those old users who are used to Touch ID, the introduction of Face ID may require some adaptation (or not), but from the perspective of industry development, the popularization of Face ID has long been a general trend. It not only improves the user experience, but also lays the foundation for more biometric-based applications in the future.

6.1-inch OLED display: Enhanced visual experience

According to rumors, the iPhone SE 4 will be equipped with a 6.1-inch OLED display, which is undoubtedly a major breakthrough for Apple in the series. Previously, the display screens of the iPhone SE series have always been inclined towards LCD technology, and the advantages of OLED screens in color, contrast and brightness have made it a standard feature of high-end smartphones.

The introduction of the USB-C interface is also a highlight of the iPhone SE 4. With the mandatory requirements for the USB-C interface in regions such as the European Union, Apple finally decided to equip its devices with this standard interface.

This not only provides consumers with more charging options, but may also promote the standardization process of the mobile phone industry. In addition, the USB-C interface also has a higher data transfer rate and stronger compatibility, which is particularly important for the frequent transmission of high-quality content in modern smartphones.

Apple-designed 5G modem and A18 chip: a guarantee of future performance

The introduction of the Apple-designed 5G modem and A18 chip marks a further development of Apple’s self-developed hardware. The emergence of Apple’s self-developed 5G modem will give Apple a greater voice in 5G communications and provide stronger network connectivity for future devices.

The A18 chip is expected to provide even better performance in terms of processing performance and energy efficiency. Combined with 8GB RAM, the iPhone SE 4 will demonstrate excellent multitasking capabilities in daily use and can easily handle more complex applications and games.

Combination of industry trends and user needs

From the perspective of industry development, the launch of iPhone SE 4 is not just an integration of existing technologies, it also conforms to some important trends in the current smartphone market.

As consumers’ demands for high performance and high-quality experience continue to increase, Apple has responded positively to the balance between price and performance. At the same time, the launch of iPhone SE 4 also means that cost performance is still one of Apple’s key competitive advantages in the mid-range market.

By introducing some core features of high-end models (such as OLED display, Face ID, A18 chip, etc.) into the iPhone SE series, Apple not only meets the demand of young people for high-performance devices, but also further attracts users who want to experience Apple’s high-end technology at a lower price.