Smartphone launches are already well under way for 2025 with Samsung grabbing the headlines of late with its impressive Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus, as well as the superlative S25 Ultra. Those Android devices have only just gone on sale, but according to a new rumour, Apple could steal the limelight back as soon as this week.

According to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, Apple could lift the lid on its fourth-generation iPhone SE this week, with the new phone “set to be unveiled in the coming days”. The report, from February 6, said it is possible the long-awaited low-cost iPhone might be announced the week commencing February 10 with sales expected to begin later in the month.

Other rumours suggest this launch would mark a big upgrade for the SE, which is said to be getting a design overhaul. The third-generation SE came out in 2022 and retains the classic iPhone 8 look complete with big bezels and the famous Home Button rather than Apple’s more modern Face ID and notch design. The iPhone SE 4 is said to be modelled on the iPhone 14, so would have a notch, but would not come with the Dynamic Island feature seen on the iPhone 15 and 16 series.

Around the back of the new SE there is thought to be one camera lens, a trend continued from all previous SE models. Recent leaks from a tech tipster show videos and photos of the alleged phone in black and white with all of these changes present and correct.

It is thought the iPhone SE 4 will be more expensive than the current SE, which starts from £429. We hope Apple manages to keep the phone under £500 though, as the SE line has always represented excellent value for money by stripping back some features but keeping high-powered internals. If Apple sticks to its normal pattern, the new SE will have the same A18 chip from the iPhone 16, a phone that costs at least £799.

That would mean the new iPhone SE should be lightning-quick and be eligible to run Apple Intelligence, Apple’s latest AI software tools. It would also be the first SE to have a USB-C port, meaning Apple would finally retire the aging Lightning port alongside the Home Button.

We’ll be keeping a keen eye out to see if Apple does announce the iPhone SE 4 this week. If it does, it could grab all the headlines away from the latest Samsung Galaxy launch, as well as other impressive recent Android phones such as the OnePlus 13 and Honor Magic 7 Pro.