This is when Apple may start mass production of the iPhone SE 4

Apple suppliers are set to begin mass production of the fourth-generation iPhone SE soon. According to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the upcoming less-expensive iPhone model is set to go into mass production in December. If this prediction is to be true, it suggests that the new iPhone SE is on track for an early 2025 release, likely in March or April.
In his blog post, Kuo suggested that Apple suppliers are expected to produce nearly 8.6 million units of the new iPhone SE in the first quarter of next year. This suggests that Apple anticipates strong demand for its budget-friendly iPhone model.
To compare, the current iPhone SE 3 was also released in March 2022. This upcoming refresh is expected to bring new features and improvements to Apple's most affordable iPhone offering.

Apple is expected to ditch the home button in the upcoming iPhone SE model that may come be powered by the A18 chip, the same processor that powers the iPhone 16. The new entry-level iPhone, codenamed V59 is rumoured to sport a 6.1-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1170 x 2532 pixels and may include Face ID technology, marking the end of Touch ID in the iPhone lineup.
Rumours suggest that the iPhone SE 4 may pack 8GB of RAM that will enable support for Apple Intelligence features, the company's upcoming suite of AI tools.
Just like the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, the iPhone SE 4 is also expected to feature a 48MP main sensor and a 12MP selfie camera. However, Apple may not add ultra-wide and telephoto lenses to the iPhone SE model.
Apple may also introduce its custom-designed 5G modem, codenamed "Centauri," with the iPhone SE 4. This chip will handle Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS functionalities of the upcoming phone.
While the current iPhone SE starts at $429, rumours suggest that the new model may be priced between $459 and $499.