As expected, Apple unveiled the highly anticipated update to the iPhone SE on Tuesday. This fourth-generation model arrives three years after the previous major iteration of the budget-friendly smartphone. This time around, the SE branding has been omitted, aligning the device more closely with Apple’s flagship offerings. The new iPhone 6e starts at $599 and will commence shipping on February 28.
Apple Intelligence is the company’s response to competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google Gemini. It incorporates compact models capable of running locally on the device, enabling functionalities such as text summarization, letter composition, and image generation.
The 16e now joins an exclusive club—which includes the entire iPhone 16 lineup and iPhone 15 Pro—of devices equipped to run Apple Intelligence. This compatibility is partly attributed to the newly integrated A18 processor, the same proprietary chip featured throughout the flagship iPhone 16 range.
Furthermore, this handset is the first to utilize Apple’s custom modem, the Apple C1, as the company aims to reduce reliance on chip manufacturers like Qualcomm and Intel, opting instead for silicon crafted specifically for its devices.
Embracing a more contemporary design, the iPhone 16e eliminates the Touch ID home button in favor of Face ID and reintroduces the camera notch seen in the iPhone X. Additionally, the Lightning port has been replaced by USB-C, standardizing the connector across Apple’s hardware ecosystem.
This launch comes at a crucial moment for Apple, as the company’s market share in China recently dipped by 11%, affecting one of its most vital markets. Contributing factors include the growing prominence of Huawei and other local manufacturers, along with the absence of Apple Intelligence in mainland China.
Apple has reportedly engaged in discussions with Tencent and ByteDance to develop a localized version of its generative AI technology for China. More recently, reports have surfaced indicating a collaboration with Alibaba as its local generative AI partner.
The original iPhone SE, which debuted in 2016, has achieved significant sales in China and India, the top two smartphone markets globally. However, unlike the annual flagship release cycle, the SE’s launch timeline has been inconsistent, with launches in 2020, 2022, and now 2025. While the new $599 price point represents a $100 increase over the previous SE, the advanced budget device is expected to help Apple regain its foothold in these competitive markets.
Pre-orders for the device will open on Friday, February 21, with shipments commencing exactly one week later.
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Compiled by Techarena.au.
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