Main tremors within the iPhone rumorsphere final week, with the information that Apple is planning a reputation change for the subsequent model of the iPhone SE. Goodbye, iPhone SE; hi there, iPhone 16E.
Right here at Macworld our intuition after we hear experiences like that is to reply first with skepticism and second with anger. It’s in all probability not going to occur, we mutter, and if it does then we’re going to get mad. Why would Apple change a wonderfully good and widely known model in favor of 1 that’s unfamiliar and, let’s be sincere, fairly complicated? Does there actually must be 5 fashions within the 16-series iPhone vary? And may’t we go away the “incomprehensible collection of numbers and letters” branding to the Android aspect of the aisle?
However after the skepticism and the anger comes curiosity. Apple is aware of its advertising, so there should be some type of logic right here. What’s the rationale?
Effectively, we all know that Apple likes its letters to face for one thing, even when it’s continuously coy about what that one thing is. SE stands for Particular Version. (Which, by the by, has at all times felt slightly Orwellian. What’s so particular about recycling an previous design?) The E in 2002’s eMac stood for Schooling–fairly a straightforward code to crack, given its preliminary advertising to college students and lecturers. The C in iPhone 5c supposedly stood for Colour, whereas the letter S stood variously for Velocity (on the iPhone 3GS), Siri (on the iPhone 4s), Safety (on the 5s), and Sheesh, Do We Actually Have To Preserve Coming Up With Phrases Starting With S? within the years after till Apple gave up as soon as and for all after the iPhone 11.
There are various issues this E may stand for, a few of them significantly extra correct tags for a price range iPhone than Particular Version. Economic system, most clearly. Or Entry Degree (except that might be EL?). In any case, the entire level of the train is to be cheaper than the iPhone 16, though it might be comprehensible if Apple selected to not give attention to that side of the product. Everybody needs an affordable iPhone however nobody truly needs a low-cost iPhone, in case you see what I imply.
Wonderful, then? Or Efficient? By all accounts the subsequent model of the SE–sorry, E–goes to boast a glowing set of specs and options, with the antiquated Residence button design lastly a factor of the previous and the RAM and processor bumped up with the intention to help Apple Intelligence. Some pundits even imagine the long-gestated Apple 5G modem will make its debut on this product, bringing us improved battery efficiency and a degree of distinction, in a constructive sense, from the late-2024 telephones.
The upcoming SE seems to be so promising, actually, that it is sensible to create a brand new branding. Apple must mark a separation from the uninspiring Third-gen SE, and flag the truth that in tech phrases this gadget goes to have much more in widespread with the iPhone 16. Paradoxically, the truth that the subsequent SE actually goes to be particular means Apple can’t name it that any extra. The forex was debased by the final mannequin. And if everyone seems to be particular, nobody is.
Foundry
Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which incorporates all of the Apple information you missed final week in a useful bite-sized roundup. We name it Apple Breakfast as a result of we predict it goes nice with a Monday morning cup of espresso or tea, however it’s cool if you wish to give it a learn throughout lunch or dinner hours too.
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Jason Snell explains why 2025 would be the yr of Apple Intelligence (once more).
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As a brand new yr begins, the Mac’s Apple silicon transition is lastly full.
Podcast of the week
On this week’s episode of the Macworld Podcast, it’s all about your sizzling takes! You will have ideas in regards to the iMac, the iPad mini and extra! It’s going to be a very good one, so stick round!
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Critiques nook
The rumor mill
The iPhone SE 4 may not be so particular in any case.
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