Apple's affordable iPhone is likely to be announced in less than 2 days, but uncertainty looms over what it will be called. While many expect it to be called iPhone SE 4, the official teaser hints that Apple could launch an iPhone 16E instead. Here are the details, including its expected India price and specs.
In Short
- The official Apple announcement is set to take place on February 19
- Many expect Apple to launch the iPhone SE 4 in less than 2 days
- However, this might be the iPhone 16E smartphone
Apple's affordable iPhone is likely to be announced in less than two days, but uncertainty looms over what it will actually be called. While many expect it to be named iPhone SE 4, the official teaser hints that Apple could be planning a name change, potentially launching the device as the iPhone 16E instead.
The confusion around the name stems from Apple CEO Tim Cook’s recent teaser on social media, where he referred to the product as the "newest member of the family." This has sparked speculation that Apple might be positioning the upcoming phone as a fresh entry in its lineup, separate from the SE series, which has traditionally been Apple’s budget option.
Renowned tech journalist Mark Gurman from Bloomberg added fuel to this theory by suggesting that Apple’s upcoming device could see a shift in branding. Instead of launching a new model in the iPhone SE series, the company could be planning to introduce a new affordable version in the iPhone 16 series. As mentioned above, this could be called iPhone 16E.
According to leaks, the upcoming iPhone will feature a modern design, moving away from the dated look that characterised previous SE models. It is tipped to come with a 6.1-inch edge-to-edge OLED display. It is reported to have support for Face ID as well. Internally, Apple is said to offer its latest A18 chip, which is currently used in its flagship iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models.
The new budget iPhone is also rumoured to have 8GB of RAM and Apple’s own 5G modem, a leap from the recycled hardware typically found in SE models. This could give the device the kind of performance usually seen in high-end phones, making it a strong contender in the mid-range premium segment.
If the name does change to iPhone 16E, it would mark a major rebranding move for Apple, hinting at the end of the SE lineup, which debuted in 2016. Also, if this happens, it won't be surprising because Apple keeps experimenting with new models every 3 to 4 years. But, one needs to keep in mind that by incorporating features typically reserved for its flagship devices, Apple is seemingly aiming to narrow the gap between its affordable and premium phones.
Speaking of which, the iPhone SE 4 or iPhone 16E is expected to launch at around $500 (approximately Rs 43,000) in the US. In India, however, the price is expected to be higher, as has been the case with iPhones. It could be priced under Rs 55,000 if the device remains an iPhone SE model. The company could decide to price it higher if the name changes to iPhone 16E. This is because it isn't expected to keep a very big price gap between the 16E and iPhone 16 models. But, nothing is confirmed yet and this is just a speculation based on leaks.
It is important to note that the leaks have hinted that the upcoming iPhone model will have a slightly smaller display, battery and a single camera at the back in comparison to the standard iPhone 16 smartphone. If this remains the case, Apple's pricing strategy will play a big role in deciding the fate of the upcoming iPhone.
The official Apple announcement is set to take place on February 19. With this, it remains to be seen whether Apple will stick with the iPhone SE branding or introduce the iPhone 16E. You can stay tuned to India Today Tech for all the updates.