The price will not remain at the SE price!
That's the whole point of lowered materials cost due to: crappier camera, smaller battery, aluminum instead of titanium or steel, and their likely not-great internal modem*.
*I don't believe the very limited reports as to their Apple Modem being so fabulously effective and power-saving (AND fast...just no).
As a marketing tactic (and manufacturing strategy), this is a brilliant response to our new topsy-turvy will-they/won't-they/impose-a-massive-tarriff! Lowered costs, higher retail price, and all dressed up as a premium top of the line device.
And who knows, as they simplify the device and remove further complicating and space-eating features in the quest for 'thinness' maybe the phone will become SO simple they'll actually be able to manufacture in the good 'ole USA.