When contemplating the distinctions between domestic smartphones and iPhones, many might immediately think of functional configurations. Personally, I believe the fundamental difference lies in their product release strategies. Apple unveils its flagship series annually in September, leaving a lasting impression on users but also leaving gaps in choice. Conversely, domestic smartphones offer a broader spectrum. Besides high-end flagships, there's an abundance of mid-to-low-end models, ensuring a sense of novelty no matter when you purchase (although the plethora of options can make choosing the right one challenging).

Particularly influenced by government subsidies, domestic mobile phone sales have seen a steady rise. Apple faces a dilemma where, despite stable sales of its flagship models, its market share is gradually being encroached upon by domestic competitors (statistics from reputable market research institutions provide compelling evidence of this trend). To achieve a sales breakthrough, Apple must continue to focus on more affordable models. The upcoming iPhone SE4 is poised to play this role.

Much of the functional configuration has already been leaked online, suggesting a direct sale upon the specified release date without a grand launch event. However, recent revelations about some core features and configurations have sparked doubts among netizens about the overall user experience. Firstly, there's the delay in the promised feature. In June 2024, Apple announced that iOS 18 would support Apple AI, but it has yet to be officially released. The latest rumor indicates an update in May this year. Why are iPhone users eagerly anticipating the early launch of Apple AI?

The reason is clear: the current Siri experience in AI is mediocre at best. For instance, some users have reported that Siri misunderstood a voice command to set an appointment for 11 am, instead setting it for 12 pm. This occurs because Siri misinterpreted the focus of the content, defaulting to noon (12 pm) instead of the intended 11 am. The new version of Siri, incorporating domestic AI, should rectify this issue.

The second concern revolves around network performance. Undoubtedly, the iPhone SE4 will be the first to feature Apple's self-developed 5G baseband. However, online information suggests that this baseband does not support 5G mmWave and its overall performance lags behind Qualcomm's X75. While it's unrealistic to expect it to rival Qualcomm's latest baseband immediately, if the iPhone 17 series also adopts this self-developed baseband, it could significantly trail the Android market. The iPhone SE4 serves as somewhat of an experimental device, and user acceptance remains to be seen.

Another notable impact concerns storage. Some leakers claim that the iPhone SE4 will start at 8GB RAM with 64GB storage, offering options of 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB (consistent with previous SE models). It's hard to fathom a phone with 64GB storage in 2025, as it simply won't suffice. If Apple indeed adopts this configuration, it could be seen as deliberately provoking users. Apple might be hoping users will opt for the more expensive 256GB version, likely priced close to 5000 yuan.

Are any of you intrigued by the upcoming fourth-generation SE?