Earlier this week, some sources begun to say that the subsequent technology iPhone SE, which is anticipated to debut this spring, received’t really be known as ‘iPhone SE’ in any respect. We’re now beginning to hear that it’ll be known as ‘iPhone 16E’ as a substitute. This can be a bizarre rumor, however I feel it really makes quite a lot of sense, given what we all know to this point in regards to the iPhone SE 4.
iPhone SE 4 rumors
To rapidly recap, right here’s all the pieces we’re anticipating with iPhone SE 4:
It’d undoubtedly be the largest improve within the historical past of iPhone SE. Apple hasn’t achieved a type issue improve with iPhone SE because the 2nd technology mannequin in 2020. When the iPhone SE 3 was launched in 2022, it retained the identical type issue, simply with an A15 Bionic chip and help for 5G. The iPhone SE 4 would be the first main iPhone SE refresh in 5 years.
Too good to be true?
Whereas I’ve no skepticism over the precise rumors of iPhone SE 4, I’ve at all times been skeptical in regards to the value. Lots of people have thrown round $499 as a possible price ticket for iPhone SE 4, however that’s by no means made a ton of sense in my head. Apple at present sells the iPhone 14 for $599, and the iPhone 15 for $699.
But by some means, a more recent telephone with elements from each of those (plus a fair newer chipset) is outwardly speculated to price considerably much less?
There are two issues that would decrease Apples prices for the iPhone SE 4:
- The brand new in-house modems, permitting them to ditch Qualcomms pricier modems
- Not utilizing Samsung OLEDs, and as a substitute relying on BOE and LG show for extra inexpensive panels
These two elements are a number of the most costly elements within the iPhone. It’s very doable that Apple might promote the iPhone SE 4 for $499 and nonetheless have first rate margins. Nevertheless, the larger query is: would they?
‘iPhone 16E’ within the iPhone lineup
If the iPhone SE 4 had been $499, it’d be $300 lower than the iPhone 16 at $799. Between these two telephones, you’d be paying a $300 value premium for Dynamic Island, the Motion Button, and an extremely large digicam. I don’t find out about you, however to me, it sounds just like the iPhone SE 4 can be manner too good of a deal in comparison with iPhone 16.
That’s why the iPhone 16E naming is smart to me. In the event that they ditch the SE branding, they might promote the telephone for $599 with out a ton of backlash. On high of that, the iPhone 15 will seemingly nonetheless be offered after the iPhone SE 4/16E releases. With the upcoming SE being known as 16E as a substitute, it’d be a good way to focus on that the iPhone 15 is an older telephone with out help for Apple Intelligence, regardless of carrying a better value.
iPhone SE has additionally traditionally been often known as the smaller telephone, and with a 6.1-inch show, it’s onerous to name it small.
iPhone 16E would even be a cleaner title for customers, signifying that the telephone is an element of the present lineup. This may most likely assist gross sales to a point. With the present SE branding, you’ll be able to’t actually get an ideal sense of its age, until you do your analysis. Nevertheless, Apple might mitigate that by switching to years as a substitute of technology numbers.
Wrap up
Personally, I identical to the “iPhone 16E” branding. “iPhone SE” at all times carried a little bit of a less expensive stigma that I feel turned some folks away from it. With the primary iPhone SE redesign in 5 years, it might be a good time to reshape how folks view the product.
What do you concentrate on the “iPhone 16E” rumor? Tell us within the feedback.
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