We’re just a few months away from Apple’s subsequent key iPhone launch, the iPhone SE 4, which must be unveiled someday within the early spring. I’ve been trying ahead to the brand new mannequin because it grew to become clear that Apple would certainly exchange the drained outdated iPhone SE 3 with a extra fashionable model. By that, we noticed loads of rumors from separate trusted sources that talked about the mid-range iPhone’s imminent arrival.
As I defined lately, the iPhone SE 4’s design, specs, and beginning value level could make the handset an unimaginable worth. Then, a brand new rumor made me understand the one factor lacking from the package deal was the identify. Apple will reportedly use a new iPhone 16E name for the iPhone SE 4, and I feel that’s a really sensible transfer which may make the gadget much more interesting to some crowds.
After they have been first launched, the primary iPhone SE fashions offered higher than mid-range Android rivals. They’d the latest Apple chips and options however have been packaged in older designs. Nevertheless, the iPhone SE 3 isn’t actually worth anymore in 2025. It’s obtained a small display screen and outdated {hardware} that may’t help Apple Intelligence.
All rumors level to Apple utilizing the identical technique for the iPhone 16E. The cellphone will function an older iPhone design. It gained’t be the iPhone 8 chassis that the iPhone SE 3 makes use of, however the newer iPhone 14 type issue. Meaning the iPhone 16E will get an all-screen show with a Face ID notch on the prime.
The true upgrades concern the cellphone’s parts. The iPhone 16E ought to pack the identical A18 chip as the bottom iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, paired with 8GB of RAM. That’s an enormous improve over the iPhone SE 3, making certain the iPhone 16E can run the Apple Intelligence options in iOS 18. The cellphone will seemingly additionally help new Apple AI options in iOS 19 and different future releases.
Apple’s must deliver Apple Intelligence help to all its merchandise is what ensures the iPhone 16E could have entry to Apple’s newest chip and reminiscence bump. This improve additionally makes the iPhone 16E extra compelling than the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 fashions that Apple nonetheless sells. Neither can run Apple Intelligence, and so they’ll value greater than the iPhone 16E’s rumored $499 price.
With all that in thoughts, the iPhone 16E can be ill-served by a reputation like “iPhone SE.” It’s a lot extra succesful and highly effective than earlier SE fashions ever have been.
On prime of that, a reputation like iPhone 16E tells consumers this gadget is a part of the identical iPhone 16 era. It’ll have a single-lens digicam on the again as an alternative of the 2 on the non-Professional fashions and lack a Dynamic Island notch, but it surely’ll function the identical high-end specs because the common iPhone 16.
Longtime iPhone customers like me already perceive why the iPhone SE 4 may be so interesting. However consumers who aren’t essentially on prime of the latest iPhone developments wouldn’t. Calling it the iPhone 16E fixes that downside. The identify would suggest the cellphone is new moderately than some SE model from the previous.
Nothing is confirmed, however the iPhone 16E moniker makes loads of sense to me. Additionally, the extra I give it some thought, the iPhone SE identify must be retired for good. As a substitute, Apple may add iPhone E variants to its lineup each few years transferring ahead.
