Earlier this week, some sources begun to claim that the next generation iPhone SE, which is predicted to debut this spring, received’t really be referred to as ‘iPhone SE’ in any respect. We’re now beginning to hear that it’ll be referred to as ‘iPhone 16E’ as a substitute. This can be a bizarre rumor, however I believe it really makes plenty 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 every thing we’re anticipating with iPhone SE 4:
It’d undoubtedly be the most important improve within the historical past of iPhone SE. Apple hasn’t accomplished a kind issue improve with iPhone SE for the reason that 2nd era mannequin in 2020. When the iPhone SE 3 was launched in 2022, it retained the identical kind issue, simply with an A15 Bionic chip and assist 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 all the time been skeptical in regards to the worth. 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 presently sells the iPhone 14 for $599, and the iPhone 15 for $699.
But in some way, a more recent telephone with parts from each of those (plus an excellent newer chipset) is seemingly imagined 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 instead relying on BOE and LG show for extra inexpensive panels
These two parts are a number of the most costly parts within the iPhone. It’s very potential that Apple may 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 worth premium for Dynamic Island, the Motion Button, and an extremely huge digicam. I don’t learn about you, however to me, it sounds just like the iPhone SE 4 can be approach 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 and not using a ton of backlash. On prime of that, the iPhone 15 will probably nonetheless be bought after the iPhone SE 4/16E releases. With the upcoming SE being referred to as 16E as a substitute, it’d be a good way to spotlight that the iPhone 15 is an older telephone with out assist for Apple Intelligence, regardless of carrying a better worth.
iPhone SE has additionally traditionally been often called the smaller telephone, and with a 6.1-inch show, it’s exhausting to name it small.
iPhone 16E would even be a cleaner title for customers, signifying that the telephone is a component of the present lineup. This may in all probability assist gross sales to a point. With the present SE branding, you possibly can’t actually get a terrific sense of its age, until you do your analysis. Nevertheless, Apple may mitigate that by switching to years as a substitute of era numbers.
Wrap up
Personally, I similar to the “iPhone 16E” branding. “iPhone SE” all the time carried a little bit of a less expensive stigma that I believe turned some folks away from it. With the primary iPhone SE redesign in 5 years, it may very well 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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