iPhone 16e live — latest news and reactions to Apple's new iPhone

How to preorder the iPhone 16e

The iPhone 16e was just announced today but the newest iPhone already has several deals available for those who preorder the handset.

Apple is offering up to $630 off the iPhone 16e if you trade-in an older iPhone.

You can find more deals from network carriers here.

As for the smartphone, preorders start on Friday February 21 with the phone released on February 28.

Apple Intelligence features will be available on the 16e

As part of the iPhone 16e there were questions about whether or not Apple Intelligence would be available.

As it turns out with the A18 chip, the 16e will get the full suite of currently available Apple Intelligence features.

These include Writing Tools, Image Playground and Genmoji, email summaries and an enhanced Siri with integrated ChatGPT.

More will be sure to come as Apple continues its slow rollout of Apple Intelligence.

Redditors react

Out of curiosity we checked in on the r/iphone and r/apple subreddits to see how fans of Apple and the iPhone reacted to the news.

The main announcements posts have received hundreds of comments many of them expressing sticker shock at $599, though a number of people seem to believe that the enormous price hike is related to the tariffs instated by President Trump against China and goods manufactured in China.

As one Canadian redditor posted, "People need an affordable phone and iPhone SE was that. Not anymore. lol I was waiting to buy it but the 16 is only 200 CAD more."

Of course, some people responded that that kind of thinking is the "trap" Apple wants you to fall in.

MagSafe charging seems to be another point of discussion as Redditors, like us, appear baffled that Apple chose to cut costs there while still raising the.

Over on the r/iphone subreddit, one of the most popular posts that isn't the announcement is simply titled, "The iPhone 16e is a complete rip off."

Among other things it says, "What's the point in selling an iPhone 16e, with a worse camera and no dynamic island compared to the 16 for just $100 less? For that price you could just buy a 15 or even just a 16 from most stores."

It seems people wanted a budget-friendly SE-type phone and at this price point, globally, Apple appears to have a lot of disappointed fans.

We'll be curious to see of recent rumors of Apple expecting to sell around 20 million iPhone 16e will come to fruition after this announcement.

What you don't get for $599

@tomsguide

♬ Relaxed (Sped Up) - MC Mablo Dos Paredões

Here's a brief breakdown of what the iPhone 16e features, but also what it appears to be missing, which could put off many from picking up Apple's latest iPhone.

Perhaps it's better to snag a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro or the base iPhone 16.

Versatile camera for all types of lighting conditions

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I've used all three iPhone SE models for extended periods of time, so I know what it's like having to deal with just a single rear camera. It's no different for the iPhone 16e, but this time it is greeted with a newer 48MP camera that's more versatile than ever before.

For only a single rear camera, you can still take portrait photos that capture stunning detail with backgrounds that have that soft out-of-focus look. Unlike the previous SE models, the iPhone 16e features a dedicated night mode that should make it better adapted for challenging lighting conditions.

Considering how there was such a disparity in low light performance between the iPhone SE 2022 and Google Pixel 8a, I'm eager to see how much better equipped the is iPhone 16e for nighttime shots.

$100 separates the iPhone 16e and iPhone 15 — which would you get?

Can you believe that $100 separates the price of the iPhone 16e and iPhone 15? With the announcement of the iPhone 16e, it now becomes the cheapest new iPhone that Apple currently sells, as the iPhone SE 2022 is now retired.

This one's a lot tougher because of how they're separated by only $100, which will make you think a lot harder on which to choose. For the iPhone 15, it benefits from having a 12MP ultrawide camera that lets users capture more of the scene. It also has Action and Cinematic modes with video capture, which aren't available on the newer iPhone 16e.

However, the 16e has access to Apple Intelligence, which adds a wealth of functionality to the phone — which is made better by the fact it also has the newer A18 chip.

Moving up to 128GB storage is a good step forward

Rumors leading up to the iPhone 16e's reveal hinted that the fourth generation would come with a starting storage capacity of 64GB. That would've been the same as the previous as the iPhone SE 3 before it, but that didn't turn out to be the case.

Thankfully, Apple's upgraded it to a more generous 128GB storage with the base model. That's double the amount, giving you more free space than ever before. If that's not enough, you can opt to get it in 256GB or 512GB capacities. Our iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3 comparison breaks down all their biggest differences.

Biggest differences between iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3

Naturally, it's only right to compare the new versus the old. That's why be break down all the differences in our iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 4 comparison to help you determine which could be the better phone.

Visually, there's a stark difference with their designs, as the new iPhone 16e grows in size. In turn, it also benefits from having a larger 6.1-inch OLED display and longer battery life. The iPhone 16e also gains an upgraded 48MP rear camera that offers and effective 2x zoom with optical-like quality. And if that's not enough to convince you, the iPhone 16e also has access to many Apple Intelligence features.

Then again, there's also the matter of their price differences. There's a lot separating the $429 starting cost of the iPhone SE 3 and the higher $599 one with the iPhone 16e.

iPhone 16e has better battery life than the iPhone 16

Surprisingly, the iPhone 16e has slightly better battery life than the base iPhone 16.

Apple typically does not release battery capacity information so we don't know specifically if the 16e battery is larger or different from the 16.

However, on Apple's compare page, the 16e is listed as having up to 26 hours of video playback, compared to 22 for the 16. It also has 90 hours of audio playback, 10 more than the 16.

iPhone 16e has Wi-Fi 6 — not Wi-Fi 7

We can confirm that the iPhone 16e will feature the Wi-Fi 6 standard. A slight downgrade from the Wi-Fi 7 that is available on the main iPhone 16 series.

Simply, Wi-Fi 6 is slower than Wi-Fi 7, for more details check out our guide to the differences between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7.

We also have an explainer about the Wi-Fi 7 standard and the new features it provides along with faster speeds.

Lacking MagSafe may be a deal breaker

An iPhone that lacks a few features but comes in at a more wallet-friendly price has a lot of appeal.

However, it appears Apple chose to omit MagSafe from the iPhone 16e, a potential deal breaker for many.

The new iPhone does have a USB-C port and features wireless charging via any Qi charger, but it's much weaker than the 25W that Apple updated MagSafe charging to 25W last year.

Perhaps, this won't matter to some, but it's an unfortunate that it's missing either way.

Rest in Peace Home Button

With the release of the iPhone 16e — and the demise of the iPhone 14 and the third-generation iPhone SE — Apple is now selling an entire lineup of iPhones that do not feature a home button.

Fare thee well home button, for those who enjoy buttons, you get the newish Action button that launched on the iPhone 15, but the distinct Home button is no more.

$599 starting cost could be problematic

It's been nearly 3 years since the last iPhone SE model, which actually saw its price increase by $30 to $429. However, Apple has a much wider price gap between the iPhone SE 2022 and iPhone 16e.

In fact, it's an increase of $170. The new $599 starting cost of the iPhone 16e makes it a tough sell in the best cheap phones conversation, but there are valid reasons for the price hike. For example, it's sporting a newer design that makes it a bigger phone, complete with a larger 6.1-inch OLED display and bigger battery. There's also double the storage at 128GB starting, versus the previous 64GB. And finally, there's the host of Apple Intelligence features you get.

4K record with Dolby Vision and Audio Mix

If Apple's video sample above from the iPhone 16e is any indication, you can probably expect outstanding results when recording video. The 48MP camera on the back can shoot video at up to 4K 60 fps with Dolby Vision, which appears to deliver wider dynamic range in the video above. Interestingly enough, the iPhone 16e also supports Audio Mix, which allows users to tune the audio to improve the quality.

Yes to Face ID, no to Dynamic Island

If you look at the official image of the iPhone 16e above, you can obviously make out the notch on the top of its 6.1-inch OLED display. The components for Face ID are all there, which replaces Touch ID with the previous models.

However, what's missing is the Dynamic Island. The iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max were actually the first to debut the Dynamic Island, but the standard iPhone 14 didn't have it. In a way, it makes sense given how the iPhone 16e shares a lot in common with the iPhone 14. Still, it's a bit of a bummer considering how valuable the Dynamic Island is when it comes to notifications and widgets.

2-in-1 48MP Fusion camera offers usable 2x zoom

Despite sticking with just a single rear camera, as opposed to the dual-camera setups on other phones, the iPhone 16e's camera is regarded as a 2-in-1 system due to how its 48MP rear camera can still deliver 2x zoom with optical-like results.

We've seen Apple do this before with the pixel binning techniques of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, which also offers decent 2x zoom by just relying on their main cameras. You can see the sample that Apple shares from this 2x zoom image above, which is still incredibly detailed for what's effectively a digital zoom.

Yes, Visual Intelligence is available on the iPhone 16e

Apple loves to keep us all guessing. Many have reported that the iPhone 16e wouldn't have access to Visual Intelligence, one of the marquee Apple Intelligence features only available to iPhones with the Camera Control button.

Well, it looks like the iPhone 16e joins the select few that have access to this helpful feature. The iPhone 16e has access to this with the help of the Action Button.

Action Button debuts on iPhone 16e

Leaked images and renders indicated that the iPhone 16e would gain the Action Button, so it's no surprise it's here officially. Even though it's not new, this marks the first time that the SE line gets access to the mappable Action Button. It replaces the alert slider in past iPhone SE models.

New design with OLED screen, IP68 rating, and longer battery life

Sporting a totally refreshed design, the iPhone 16e features a 6.1-inch Super Retina OLED display, Face ID support, wireless charging, and am IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. Naturally, it looks a lot like the iPhone 14's design. With the battery, Apple says that the iPhone 16e lasts up to six hours longer than iPhone 11 and up to 12 hours longer than all generations of iPhone SE.

iPhone 16e is now official, meet the newest member of the family

Apple has finally announced the iPhone 16e, which is essentially the fourth generation model in the company's iPhone SE lineup. Many of the rumored details about the budget phone came true, including an A18 chip, Apple Intelligence, and a 48MP camera. However, the price jumps way up to $599.

Hidden clues in Tim Cook's post?

When Tim Cook shared a post on X about being ready to "meet the newest member of the family," he also shared a short video of what appears to be an animated version of Apple's logo.

However, a closer inspection could yield clues that uncover what exactly this new member could be. At a certain point in the short clip, we see a faint circular outline that indicates perhaps a new AirTag.

But looking closer at the animation of the Apple logo, we can see a reflection of some kind with edges. It's hard to say if this is the iPhone SE 4 in question, but it could be. All of the rumors over the past week indicate it's going to be the next generation iPhone SE. Apple could officially announce it at any point now that the big day is here. What do you think?

iPhone SE 4 — why OLED will be a big deal

Every time I turn on my iPhone SE 2022, I'm reminded most about one thing — its boring looking LCD screen. It's a throwback like no other after years of being accustomed to the OLED panels used in many of the best phones around.

That's why an OLED display for the iPhone SE 4 is a big deal. Not only would it make feel more modern, but it could also make it much more usable. The iPhone SE 2022 reached a pitiful peak brightness of 596 nits with its LCD display. In comparison, the iPhone 14 reached 758 nits.

Visually speaking, an OLED display on an iPhone SE 4 would make it pop a whole lot more and we suspect even brighter results with the panel.

Bigger battery in iPhone SE 4 could be good news

With the iPhone SE 4 tipped for a big redesign that would make it look a lot more like the iPhone 14, it would also mean having a much larger battery. In fact, it's almost guaranteed to beat its predecessors in the battery life department.

In the table above, you'll see how all previous iPhone SE models rank according to Apple's video playback rating. The most recent iPhone SE 3 from 2022 barely made an improvement at 15 hours, while the iPhone 14 goes the extra distance at 20 hours.

More importantly, though, is how they compare in our own battery benchmark test. You can see how all the models, including the iPhone 14, barely get over 9 hours from a full charge. Given how the iPhone SE 4 is expected to have an A18 chip, we can certainly expect it to be extremely power efficient. We'd be surprised, in fact, if it ends up getting anything less than 10 hours.

Catch up on all the last-minute rumors with our video

iPhone 16e - MAJOR Changes Revealed! - YouTube

Watch On

Apple could announce the iPhone SE 4 at any moment now, but if you're pressed for time and want all the juicy details, then watch our video on all the last-minute rumors for the anticipated iPhone SE 4.

From the new design that it's reportedly going to have, to Apple Intelligence features it could get, our own global editor-in-chief, Mark Spoonauer explains what to expect.

Will it get upgraded video recording capabilities?

So far, the rumors hint at the iPhone SE 4 getting an upgraded 48MP camera, which would be up from its predecessor's 12MP one. Yet, there's very little know even now about the video recording capabilities of this new camera.

At the very least, we suspect it would offer the same shooting modes as the current iPhone SE 2022 — so that would be 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps. There's also slow motion, which again we think will match the current model's support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps.

It's unclear if Apple will improve on these modes, as they pretty match up what the current iPhone 16 offers. However, it'll be interesting if the iPhone SE 4 ends up getting Cinematic mode for video, which could be problematic due to the lack of an ultrawide camera. Although, Apple could lean on AI to effectively get the same result.

Action Button could debut on an iPhone SE

The iPhone SE 4 is tipped for big upgrades, like getting an OLED display and 48MP main camera, but one of the new features that could be flying under the radar is the Action Button.

Although it's technically not new to the iPhone stable, it is for the SE series. Rumors have hinted at the alert slider being swapped for the Action Button, which should give the iPhone SE 4 more functionality than ever before.

With this mappable side button, it can be programmed to perform simple and complex actions. Given the budget nature of the series, this new addition would only amplify its value.

iOS 18.4 news today?

If the rumors are true, we could see iOS 18.4 launch alongside the iPhone SE 4 / iPhone 16E today. But some of the most exciting promised features may be delayed.

iOS 18.4 reportedly was going to include big Apple Intelligence changes, especially to Siri. These include on-screen awareness, better understanding of personal context and deep app control. However, this may not happen now until iOS 18.5.

We could see Apple Intelligence roll out in more languages, though, along with improved news summaries, new emoji and the ability to set your default map and translation apps (at least in the EU).

The first phone with Apple's own 5G modem (with a catch)

There's potentially good news and bad news with the iPhone SE 4's modem. The good news is that it should be Apple's first in-house 5G modem, and with Apple in total control of that hardware we could see longer battery life when surfing the web.

However, a recent report out of South Korea (via GSM Arena) says that Apple's modem will lack support for mmWave 5G and perhaps offer fewer carrier aggregation features as Qualcomm's latest modem. The result could be slower upload and download speeds, something we'll be testing for ourselves at Tom's Guide.

The iPhone SE 4's competition

Assuming that the iPhone SE 4 does stick to a similar price as before, then it'll be eligible for our best cheap phones guide. And although these are far from flagship phones, there are still some real contenders.

The current top dog is the Google Pixel 8a, an Android phone that offers a bevy of features and a long software update schedule, plus an AI-ready chipset and strong display and camera specs. It's going to be hard to dethrone the Pixel, but if Apple's made enough changes to the new iPhone SE, it's possible it could claim the top spot for itself — or at least climb several places.

A true member of the iPhone 16 family

Whatever Apple calls the new cheap iPhone, it was assumed for a long time that it would be using the body of the iPhone 14, as well as several of its components inside and out. But new rumors are now suggesting that the iPhone 16E properly merits the name as it would be based on the latest iPhone 16 model instead of the two-year-old iPhone 14.

Granted, without an Action Button or a Dynamic Island, the only real difference the iPhone SE 4 would have from an iPhone 14 is the USB-C port and the unique camera layout. But using a more modern basis for the new SE would help futureproof the new budget iPhone for longer.

SE might stand for Sales Explosion

Whatever the iPhone SE 4 ends up offering, it's likely to be a big seller, with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicting that the new iPhone SE will hit 22 million units sold by the end of the year.

This would make sense given the likely sub-$500 pricing. Buying a new iPhone is an expensive undertaking, so if a new one appears with a more easily justifiable cost, it could persuade a lot of holdouts into switching iPhones.

A fresh MacBook Air

A new MacBook Air armed with an M4 chip like the latest MacBook Pros and iPad Pro could also be on the cards for today, or at least arrive within the next month.

No other big changes are believed to be coming to Apple's lightweight laptop, which is presumably why it's tipped to get a low-key launch announcement. But using Apple's latest silicon would mean a nice performance bump, helping the MacBook Air fare better against similar machines like the Snapdragon X Elite-powered Dell XPS 13 or Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x.

A whole new HomePod

Leaving the iPhone SE 4 to the side for a moment, today could see big changes to other Apple products.

The HomePod, Apple's smart speaker, last got an update in 2023, but is effectively the same kind of product as it was before. But the new HomePod 3 (or perhaps HomePad) could change things up dramatically by adding a display to the speaker, in the style of an Amazon Echo Show or the Google Pixel Tablet.

Leaving Lightning behind

Another feature the iPhone SE 4 could abandon is the Lightning port, Apple's proprietary charging connector that was in regular use up until the iPhone 15 series.

With the EU having passed legislation requiring all mobile devices to use a common charging standard, Apple has fallen in line with its Android rivals and adopted USB-C. This is the connector we should see on the iPhone SE 4, even though the iPhone 14 it's based on still came with Lightning.

Just like with Touch ID, the iPhone SE series has been carrying the torch for this outdated Apple tech for the past few years by itself. While the move to USB-C has been pretty smooth and certainly makes charging easier, it's funny to think we're seeing the end of Lightning for good.

Toodleoo to Touch ID

The rumored move to a whole new design for the iPhone SE means we could end up with an iPhone line-up without any models using the Touch ID home button.

Touch ID has been used on iPhones since the iPhone 5s launched in 2013, although the arrival of Face ID in 2017 with the iPhone X made it clear that its days were numbered. While it will live on through the iPad and iPad Air's power button-mounted versions and also the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Magic Keyboard, Apple only selling iPhones using Face ID is a historic moment.

A new price point could be a big deal

Price is always an important consideration when buying phones, and the price of the new iPhone SE could be make or break.

The current $430 price of the iPhone SE 3 places it firmly within our best cheap phones guide, and about half as much as the cheapest flagship iPhone 16. But if Apple bumps the price up to compensate for all the upgrades the new model is tipped to offer, then things could quickly change. Phones like the Nothing Phone 2a or Samsung Galaxy A35 offer superb specs for their costs, and the iPhone SE 4 sounds like it won't be able to fully compete based on other rumors. It would still be cheaper than other iPhones, but it may not be a true budget-friendly phone.

iPhone SE or 16E?

We've assumed for a long time that Apple would continue with the iPhone SE name, making this rumored new model the iPhone SE 4 or iPhone SE 2025. But tipsters, including Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, who point to Tim Cook's announcement as possible evidence of a name swap to iPhone 16E.

Describing the contents of the launch as "the newest member of the family" could mean a number of things. But with the existing rumors of the iPhone 16E name circulating, it could mean Apple retires the SE title and instead markets the new cheaper iPhone as a fully-fledged member of the iPhone 16 series. If that's the case, that could be good news for features and software, as Apple would probably not compare a vastly underpowered phone to its latest flagship models.

iPhone SE origins

Good morning, and happy Apple day! This is TG’s Assistant Phones Editor Richard Priday, and I’ll be steering this live blog for the early shift.

Today could be the day we see the first new iPhone SE in about three years, as well as the first update to Apple’s AirTag trackers. We may even hear about upgrades to the Apple Vision Pro or MacBook Air, or maybe even some changes to the HomePod. But we’ll get into those properly as the morning goes on.

The iPhone SE 2022, in case you're not familiar, is based on the iPhone 8 from 2017 - an aging design that Apple really should have replaced before now! Instead, the new iPhone SE is thought to use the shell of the iPhone 14 from 2022, but with a few changes that both improve its capabilities and tone down some other specs.

iPhone SE 4 colors — it might be just two options

The iPhone SE series has never been greeted with many color options, which is to say that it might not be that different for the rumored iPhone SE 4. Currently, the iPhone SE 3 (the 2022 version) is available in three options: Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red.

According to known leaker Majin Bu, the iPhone SE 4 will be available in white or black. That's probably accurate, but you can't count out on Apple bringing out a Product Red version at some point. The only outlier in the series was the original iPhone SE, which was available in four colors: silver, gold, space grey, and rose gold.

The countdown has begun

And here we are! February 19 is the day that Tim Cook mentioned when we'll "meet the latest member of the family." All fingers point at a possible iPhone SE 4 reveal, which could be rebranded as the iPhone 16E.

Nevertheless, we'll know before the day's over as to what Apple's expected to reveal. Aside from the iPhone SE 4, Apple's announcement could also be related to something else entirely different. Perhaps we'll get a new HomePod with an integrated display? Or perhaps a much-needed upgrade for the company's popular AirTag?

iPhone SE 4 vs. iPhone 17 — should you hold off until the fall?

There's a good probability that Apple will formally reveal the iPhone SE 4 at the company's expected announcement on February 19. This would mean that shoppers could pick it up very soon, but there's also the iPhone 17 to think about as well.

In our iPhone SE 4 vs. iPhone 17 comparison, we take all the rumors and everything we know about both unannounced phones and compare them. Even though we're still a long away before an iPhone 17 reveal at perhaps Apple's fall iPhone event, there's enough leaks and rumors that give us a preview of what to expect.

Given how Apple's kept the pricing of its standard iPhone model at $799, this would effectively make it $300 more than the rumored $499 cost of the iPhone SE 4. There's a lot to mull over that price difference, but we try to break it all down.

iPhone SE 4 might not get this Apple Intelligence feature

The iPhone SE 4 is probably on track to offer Apple Intelligence features, especially given how it's rumored to be powered by an A18 chip under the hood. That's the same chipset running on the current iPhone 16, which is built from the ground for AI.

While we're confident that this would mean getting access to Apple Intelligence features as the new Siri, Photo Clean Up, Writing Tools, and more, there is probably one that it won't get. That would be Visual Intelligence, due to how the Camera Control button is tied to the feature — something that doesn't appear to be coming in the iPhone SE 4.

Long, overdue upgrade to the HomePod?

There's been whispers about a potential new HomePod, which could very well be the gadget in question that Tim Cook's referring to in his post on X. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed in December that this new HomePod could feature a "6 to 7-inch OLED" display. However, he went on to sat that it could be delayed into the Q3 2025.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also went on to say that this new HomePod is likely to launch this year. He described the new home hub as "the most significant release of the year."

Of course, this would be an ambitious release given how it would be the first time for Apple to explore a new product category. Right now, the closest thing to a home hub of sorts is StandBy Mode on the iPhone, but this would be a standalone device much like the Amazon Echo Show.

This could be a dealbreaker for the iPhone SE 4

In the three years since Apple released the iPhone SE 2022, there's no denying that there's going to be a fair amount of upgrades in store for the iPhone SE 4. Yet, there's could be one dealbreaker that could lead some to not buy it.

A Chinese retailer accidentally listed the phone in question, with a clear indication that it would be sporting 8GB of RAM and 64GB storage. Both are pitiful by today's standards, with the 8GB of RAM being the bare minimum to run Apple Intelligence features, but the 64GB of storage would be laughable for a phone that's likely to be $499.

Retailer accidentally posts new iPhone listing

More confirmation about a potential iPhone SE 4 release comes from an accidental listing from French retailer Boulanger. While the placeholder doesn't explicitly mention the iPhone SE 4, it does translate to "Smartphone Apple new smartphone coming soon iPhone."

Another tidbit from the accidental listing includes the price, which at €9,999.05 (~$10,395) appears to be yet just another placeholder until it's confirmed. We expect the actual cost to be around $499, which would be an increase of $70 over the last iPhone SE 2022.

Biggest rumored iPhone SE 4 upgrades make for a satisfying return

Speaking of iPhone SE 4 rumors, there's a lot for Apple to change since the iPhone SE 2022's release three years ago. Apple's going to need to make a lot of big changes if the iPhone SE 4 has a chance at beating some of our favorite best cheap phones.

We detail all the big upgrades that could come to the iPhone SE 4, like a new Apple A18 chip, improved camera, OLED screen, and much more. Based on all the leaks and rumors, it should adopt the iPhone 14's design.

iPhone SE 4 could set a sales record

Even before it's announced, there's optimism about the fourth generation iPhone SE model as analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that Apple could ship 10 million units in the first half of 2025. he goes on to say that it could be "performing slightly better than previous SE models."

This record breaking mark isn't a surprise given how it's been years since the last model, with a span of three years. Paired with a much lower cost than the cheapest iPhone 16, consumers might be attracted to pick up the iPhone SE 4.

Of course, there are going to be tradeoffs going with a cheaper model, but it'll be interesting to see what Apple Intelligence features that the company decides to roll out to it.

Next Apple announcement slated for February 19

Tim Cook shared the date for the next Apple event, February 19, with what appears to be a video of the Apple logo shimmering within a bubble. It's hard to infer what this imagery could hint at, but Cook's message does say that we should be ready to "meet the newest member of the family."

So far, an iPhone SE 4 announcement is the leading candidate given how there have been a lot of rumors and leaks around it in the last several weeks. Given how the last one came out in 2022, the model is long overdue for an upgrade given how the iPhone SE 2022 has become laughably dated amongst the best cheap phones conversation.

In the last year alone, we've seen strong challengers from the Pixel 8a, Nothing Phone 2a, and OnePlus 12R, which all put to shame the iPhone SE 2022.