NEW YORK, Jan 21: A new iPhone is expected to launch soon, and it is believed to be the fourth iteration of the iPhone SE, Apple's most affordable model. This new SE is rumored to feature a fresh, all-new design, with the latest reports suggesting it could include the Dynamic Island, a feature found on higher-end iPhones.

Historically, it was thought that the iPhone SE 4 would come with a standard cut-out at the top of the display. However, recent images shared by leaker Evan Blass on X (formerly Twitter) show what appears to be a version of the phone with the Dynamic Island highlighted.

This is a surprising development. The iPhone SE has always been about offering an affordable way to purchase an Apple device. To keep costs low, previous SE models have used the latest processor in an older design, with simpler and more affordable components for the display, camera, and other features.

But this new iPhone SE appears to be breaking with tradition by introducing an entirely new design, rather than recycling an older one. While it was previously assumed that Apple would use a display cut-out to keep costs down, the inclusion of the Dynamic Island—which dynamically adjusts to show information—would be a more advanced, and more expensive, feature.

Despite this, it’s still unclear if this will be the case. Various reports have suggested that the iPhone SE will be based on the iPhone 14, which did not feature the Dynamic Island. However, the iPhone 14 used a Lightning connector, while the new iPhone SE will almost certainly include a USB-C port, partly due to new EU regulations requiring the change.

What’s most intriguing is how well Apple has kept the design of the iPhone SE under wraps as the spring launch approaches. While we expect it to feature Face ID instead of Touch ID, and an OLED screen rather than an LCD, many other details remain unclear, with conflicting reports circulating.

The official reveal of the iPhone SE 4 could be just weeks away, at which point we’ll learn the full details of its design and features.