'iPhone SE 4' Rumored to Be Named 'iPhone 16E'

[capamac]

There are some who call it ... iPhone Tim?

 

[JPack]

I still stand by the idea that Apple released the 12 mini at the worst time possible for people who wanted it - less than 6 months after the 2020 SE came out. By then, people that wanted a smaller phone went with the SE, and then the mini came out and they just got a new phone, so why would they buy another one that quickly? Then the 13 mini was only one year later, and by the time people with a 2nd gen SE wanted to upgrade, it was gone.

If the market for iPhone mini is that tiny for a small phone, then it’s clearly not worth it to Apple at all.

Think about it. iPhone models typically have a 3 year tail end in the Apple Store. And even longer from prepaid carriers. If iPhone 12/13 mini was whooped by an SE based on iPhone 6 chassis launched just 6 months earlier, it has no chance on surviving on its own. The 12 mini was a complete redesign from chassis to cameras to 5G. There are practically no people cross shopping between $699 mini and $399 SE.

 

[Stenik]

That is the pinnacle of innovation

 

[Codeseven]

If it doesn’t easily slip into my front pant pocket, it’s too big for my liking (one of the reasons I’m still using my ol’ reliable iPhone XS). No bigger thank you.

 

[Aoligei]

Just...get an iPad.

I refuse to get iPad. I only use phones or computer. iPad is useless to me. It is too small and OS is too restrictive to be a computer.

 

[Aoligei]

And when Apple pivoted and went up in size with the "Plus" versions, how did that turn out?

iPhone 14 Plus Sales 'Lower Than Expected' Following Launch Last Week

Less than a week after the launch of the iPhone 14 Plus, yet another report of unexpectedly low sales for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus has...

www.macrumors.com

Apple Reportedly 'Seriously' Concerned About iPhone 14 Plus Sales, Looking to Reevaluate iPhone 15 Lineup

Apple is reportedly "seriously" concerned over the sales performance of the iPhone 14 Plus, the 6.7-inch non-Pro variant of the iPhone 14...

www.macrumors.com

iPhone 15 and 15 Plus Proving Less Popular With Buyers This Year

Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models were its most purchased smartphones in the U.S. in the first quarter of this year, according to the latest Consumer...

www.macrumors.com

it must be selling more than Mini. Mini iPhone get discontinued in 2 years, while Plus model is still going for third iteration. Given this is Apple, I think they are not turning back to mini iPhone.

People can hope mini phone all they want, they aren't get any.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I refuse to get iPad. I only use phones or computer. iPad is useless to me. It is too small and OS is too restrictive to be a computer.

Then you should be able to understand why many (most) of us don't want a 7+" phone. The OS is too restrictive, the size is uncomfortable, and it not a desktop or laptop so it shouldn't try to be.

It's a phone, that can text and email and take photos, use maps, and load an occasional website. That's all.

 

[CarAnalogy]

I refuse to get iPad. I only use phones or computer. iPad is useless to me. It is too small and OS is too restrictive to be a computer.

Well sure, but then I don't know why you want the iPhone to be bigger, by that logic. That's an iPad.

I agree with you though about the iPad Mini getting phone functionality, they might as well. But then where do you draw the line between iPhone and iPad? Should a line even be drawn?

Personally I like a small to midsize phone and a large Mac and external display. Might as well play to each ones' strengths.

 

[klasma]

As I said in another post it at least makes sense from a naming perspective as Apple has been moving away from the "generation" naming, so I'd expect some sort of numbers in the name. Both iPhone SE 4 or 16E would make sense in that regard.

To me it sounds like they’re adapting the concept of Samsung’s “FE” naming.

 

[klasma]

se was always a dumb name

It made sense for the first one, which was really a special edition.

 

[Aoligei]

Then you should be able to understand why many (most) of us don't want a 7+" phone. The OS is too restrictive, the size is uncomfortable, and it not a desktop or laptop so it shouldn't try to be.

It's a phone, that can text and email and take photos, use maps, and load an occasional website. That's all.

No I don't. Small phone has its natural disadvantage:

1) The keyboard is way too cramped, even on iPhone mini.
2) Webpage is too small to look at and it is bad for eyes.
3) Battery life is terrible.
4) Small iPhone won't be cheap. This will hurt the sale.

Trust me, large majority of people don't want small phone. I know a person who owns a phone repair store. He refurbishes phones to sell. He also have partnership with local carriers to carry new phones.

He has three iPhone 13 mini sitting on inventory for half years and nobody is buying.

Most phone manufactures making phones for the messes and messes want large phone. There just aren't enough people want small phone.

I don't like iPad, exactly because 12.9" iPad is still to small for a computing devices. The 15 inch MacBook Pro I have is hooked up with monitor at home, which is stationary most of time. I carry iPhone 14 Pro max and 13 inch MacBook Pro with me if I am travel and I can tell you I hate 13 inch screen.

 

[maxfromdenmark]

What would the “E” stand for though?

The “SE” stands for Special Edition. (Although I don’t think it’s ever been marketed as “Special Edition”, that’s at least been confirmed by Apple execs.)

So… would the “E” just stand for “Edition”? The “iPhone 16 Edition”?

Maybe it would stand for “Entry”? (As in an entry model.)

or maybe E like “economic”?

Never mind. Giving 16 before may suggest that it will be refreshed every year along with the others iPhones.

 

[klasma]

For some reason it sounds like a cheap phone. Even SE feels more premium

E = economy

 

[WarmWinterHat]

No I don't. Small phone has its natural disadvantage:

1) The keyboard is way too cramped, even on iPhone mini.
2) Webpage is too small to look at and it is bad for eyes.
3) Battery life is terrible.
4) Small iPhone won't be cheap. This will hurt the sale.

Trust me, large majority of people don't want small phone. I know a person who owns a phone repair store. He refurbishes phones to sell. He also have partnership with local carriers to carry new phones.

He has three iPhone 13 mini sitting on inventory for half years and nobody is buying.

Most phone manufactures making phones for the messes and messes want large phone. There just aren't enough people want small phone.

I don't like iPad, exactly because 12.9" iPad is still to small for a computing devices. The 15 inch MacBook Pro I have is hooked up with monitor at home, which is stationary most of time. I carry iPhone 14 Pro max and 13 inch MacBook Pro with me if I am travel and I can tell you I hate 13 inch screen.

I didn't say I needed a mini, but I don't want larger than my pro, and I absolutely do not ever want, under any circumstances, a 7+" phone. I just don't, and refuse to carry one. I'm an extremely active person, and I don't want the size, weight, or annoyance in my pocket.

I get 2-3 days of battery life with my 16 pro.

 

[Aoligei]

Well sure, but then I don't know why you want the iPhone to be bigger, by that logic. That's an iPad.

No. I want bigger iPhone but I don't want it run iPadOS. I am fine with iPad mini phone running iPhone.

I agree with you though about the iPad Mini getting phone functionality, they might as well. But then where do you draw the line between iPhone and iPad? Should a line even be drawn?

iPad mini running iPhoneOS, without iPadOS features. That's the line. I think iPad mini line will get discontinued once the foldable iPhone comes out.

Personally I like a small to midsize phone and a large Mac and external display. Might as well play to each ones' strengths.

Sure. Mid-size phone is bigger than mini iPhone.

 

[Aoligei]

I didn't say I needed a mini, but I don't want larger than my pro, and I absolutely do not ever want, under any circumstances, a 7+" phone. I just don't, and refuse to carry one. I'm an extremely active person, and I don't want the size, weight, or annoyance in my pocket.

I get 2-3 days of battery life with my 16 pro.

Sure. I think Apple will continue making regular iPhone in current size or slightly bigger size. Mini iPhone aren't happening.

 

[klasma]

If this is true then it would seem they should change the name of the SE watch as well.

It’s a pity that Apple doesn’t sell walls.

 

[arw]

Or… they are feeling funny at Apple when going for 16E:

"16E" read "Six-Teeny" (because it's mostly 16 hardware but in a slightly smaller form factor due to the 14 case).

Reminds me of the iPhone 4S "For-A**" 🙈.

 

[rp2011]

Regardless of what it is called it is going in the wrong direction. It needs to be smaller, not bigger.

I think Apple wants people to buy it.

 

[SFjohn]

What would the “E” stand for though?

The “SE” stands for Special Edition. (Although I don’t think it’s ever been marketed as “Special Edition”, that’s at least been confirmed by Apple execs.)

So… would the “E” just stand for “Edition”? The “iPhone 16 Edition”?

Maybe it would stand for “Entry”? (As in an entry model.)

To me if they called it an iPhone 16E, the E would stand for economy… 😉

 

[FlyingDutch]

I like it. This means it won’t be an iPhone SE but a cheaper iPhone 16.

 

[FlyingDutch]

Regardless of what it is called it is going in the wrong direction. It needs to be smaller, not bigger.

Again. You already have been proved wrong: iPhone Mini were a commercial disaster and discontinued in just two years.

I respectfully disagree. I want iPhone go bigger.

Regular iPhone should be Pro Max size, Pro Max needs to be at least 7.2 inch. iPhone Pro Ultra should be 7.5 inch and iPad mini need to gain phone functionality

You are on the other extreme: 7.2 inches are way too much for a phone.

And when Apple pivoted and went up in size with the "Plus" versions, how did that turn out?

iPhone 14 Plus Sales 'Lower Than Expected' Following Launch Last Week

Less than a week after the launch of the iPhone 14 Plus, yet another report of unexpectedly low sales for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus has...

www.macrumors.com

Apple Reportedly 'Seriously' Concerned About iPhone 14 Plus Sales, Looking to Reevaluate iPhone 15 Lineup

Apple is reportedly "seriously" concerned over the sales performance of the iPhone 14 Plus, the 6.7-inch non-Pro variant of the iPhone 14...

www.macrumors.com

iPhone 15 and 15 Plus Proving Less Popular With Buyers This Year

Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models were its most purchased smartphones in the U.S. in the first quarter of this year, according to the latest Consumer...

www.macrumors.com

That’s completely unrelated. The problem for the Plus version is the price: too close to the Pro. iPhone 14 and 15 Plus were also underwhelming, specs wise. For iPhone 16 Plus probably the situation is better (but the wrong price point is still there).

 

[HarryVafias]

If the SE or what it will be called is able to run Apple intelligence the most obvious would be on the iPhone 15 spot and then drop iPhone 15 pricing to match the 14 and discontinue the 14 removing completely the SE tier as it stands. That way they can have 15 16e 16 16 pro. That is given that they want to have a line up full of usb c devices which would make total sense. And this will also help clear the line up a bit as in the old days. I find it way to alienating to their customer base of these phones if they upgrade 15 especially those who will buy the device close to the announcement date.

 

[ttyRazor]

I could see that being the new name. The "SE" tag has meant the cheapest Apple device tier since inception, so by changing the name, they can more easily justify the higher price tag. Plus, it makes it easier for customers to identify its Apple Intelligence capabilities, since any iPhone 16 can handle them.

That’s maybe the one thing that makes sense for this naming scheme. It’s a lot easier to say iPhone 16-something and up (and iPhone 15 pro, but they don’t sell that anymore), plus M1 Macs and iPads. Squeezing in iPhone SE (4th generation but you won’t see that outside of the fine print) would make it more confusing for exactly the segment they sell the low end one to.

 

[paradox00]

No way will it be called 16E. Since it’s the entry level phone that sticks around for years adding a number to the name makes no sense.

But it’s not an entry level phone. It has a better processor and more RAM than the iPhone 15, and all you really lose is the ultrawide camera (just like the Air will when it replaces the plus). I don’t know how many times I’ve pointed this out on various sites, but $499 has never made sense. We should be expecting this to be the cheapest iPhone with AI, not the cheapest iPhone (until all iPhones include AI support).

This 16E rumor strongly suggests that Apple will price it at or above the iPhone 15, which has always been my expectation (as per my cheapest phone with AI assumption). With the early discontinuation of the iPhone 14 (in the EU) and the mid-cycle release of the SE4/16E I don’t know what the prices will end up being (the 15 will likely see an early price drop though).

As a guess I’d use the current iPhone 14 and 15 prices for the probable range plus up to an extra $50 in case Apple plans to raise prices next fall when the 17 is released. That would be somewhere between $599 and $749, with both ends of that spectrum being least likely.

$499 is madness because Apple isn’t running a charity. The next $499 iPhone will probably be the iPhone 14 (EU excluded), if Apple doesn’t discontinue it with the 16E/SE4 or iPhone 17 launches.