The upcoming mid-range iPhone SE will face increased competition in the market as it adopts generative AI and Apple’s new AI-powered platform, Apple Intelligence. To keep up, Apple must significantly upgrade its specifications compared to previous SE models.
Apple has confirmed that Apple Intelligence is supported by limited M-Series chipsets and the current A18 family. However, the iPhone 16 initially launched with the A17 processor, which would have been cheaper but may compromise the iPhone SE’s ability to support future AI updates.
Instead, the A18 will power the iPhone SE, ensuring it can handle Apple Intelligence when it debuts and potentially years later. This decision may create a performance gap between the iPhone 16 and iPhone SE.
The iPhone SE typically had the same RAM as its counterparts, but Apple Intelligence has disrupted this with the iPhone 16 and Pro models featuring 8 GB of RAM. As a result, the new SE is likely to follow suit with 8 GB of RAM.
When it comes to storage capacity, current iPhone SE options start at 64 GB. However, the entry-level iPhone 16 begins at 128 GB, which may prompt Apple to match this specification for future-proofing purposes.
Given the evolving requirements of Apple Intelligence, Apple must ensure that its future updates can run smoothly on the iPhone SE. This means starting with a higher storage capacity, potentially 128 GB or more, to accommodate years of software updates and to provide a robust foundation for AI-driven features.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2025/02/05/apple-iphone-se-specs-memory-power-a18-new-iphone