The excitement ahead of Apple’s new iPhone SE, expected to launch this week, comes at the most critical time. The current threat to iPhone’s future state is as serious as it gets, and nothing Apple does is more important than resolving this before it’s too late.

Apple plans to show off a new device on Feb. 19, and it's almost certainly the iPhone SE 4. Here's what I'm hoping to see.

The update comes at a time when Apple recently reported a 1% dip in iPhone sales during the holiday quarter, failing to meet expectations. A more advanced yet still affordable iPhone SE could help Apple compete in key markets such as China and India, where budget-friendly smartphones with premium features continue to gain traction.