Surprise ‘cheap’ iPhone leaked days before Apple event as fans call it ‘a hell of a good deal’ over pricy screen upgrade

APPLE may be quietly preparing a cheaper iPhone model with a huge screen upgrade.

Early details of a fourth-generation iPhone SE have leaked online – days before the Apple Glowtime event on September 9.

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A new version of the iPhone SE might be released to replace 2022’s third-generation model[/caption]

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Apple is hosting a major iPhone launch event called Glowtime on September 9 – but the iPhone SE is unlikely to appear[/caption]

The iPhone SE is Apple’s budget-friendly handset, with stores currently selling models for $429/£429.

In early 2022, Apple unveiled its third-generation iPhone SE, which may mean a new model is just around the corner.

Apple is expected to use its upcoming Glowtime event to show off its new iPhone 16.

Sadly the new iPhone SE isn’t rumored to appear at Glowtime, but will instead launch in early 2025.

That’s according to Japan’s Nikkei, which reports that the company will be fitted with hi-tech OLED displays.

OLED screens have a huge advantage over regular LED-backlit LCD displays.

A regular screen uses a backlight to illuminate the crystals on the display, letting you see an image.

But an OLED panel has self-illuminating pixels that can be turned on or off.

This means that specific parts of the screen can be totally switched off, allowing it to show true black.

And it also brings battery life savings too.

OLED screens tend to cost more however, which is why they’ve only appeared on more premium iPhone models – and never the iPhone SE.

But that’s reportedly about to change with the iPhone SE 4, slated for launch in early 2025.

Apple began using OLED panels on its smartphones with the iPhone X in 2017.

And if the iPhone SE moved to OLED, it would mean all of Apple’s current iPhone line-up featured the premium screen tech.

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Apple chief Tim Cook usually shows off new iPhones at the company’s Apple Park HQ in Cupertino, California[/caption]

Apple fans reacted positively to the news in a Reddit thread about the leak.

One hopeful Apple fan wrote: “iPhone SE 4 shaping up to be a hell of a good deal.”

Another said: “This is going to be my pick this year.”

And one added: “Will absolutely be my next upgrade from the 12.”

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Apple’s iPhone 15 line-up of devices features premium OLED displays[/caption]

Of course Apple hasn’t confirmed any specific plans to launch a new iPhone SE model.

The company usually keeps new devices totally top-secret until their launch events.

Apple has held spring events in both March and April, so we might see a new iPhone SE around then.

But it’s very possible that Apple doesn’t launch an OLED-toting iPhone SE next year, so don’t mark your calendars just yet.

There’s also no telling how much it’ll cost, but iPhone SE models typically retail for hundreds less than their flagship counterparts.