Tim Cook’s tweet hints at new name for iPhone SE 4 – AppleInsider
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iPhone SE 4 is rumored to resemble iPhone 14Last updated 1 day agoAhead of the expected February 19, 2025 launch of the iPhone SE 4, there are signs that previous claims of it being renamed may be true.
In early January 2025, a seemingly unlikely leak claimed that the iPhone SE 4 would be renamed the iPhone 16E. It was chiefly considered doubtful because of the source of the leaks, but there was also that “iPhone SE’ has been a successful brand since 2016.
Now Bloomberg is backing up the claim of a rebrand, and doing so chiefly because of the phrasing Tim Cook used in his teaser tweet about a February 19 launch.
Get ready to meet the newest member of the family.Wednesday, February 19. #AppleLaunch pic.twitter.com/0ML0NfMedu— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) February 13, 2025 “Get ready to meet the newest member of the family,” was initially taken to mean the iPhone SE 4. The argument now is that the iPhone SE has been in the iPhone family for nine years, so this ought to be something genuinely new.
Then a rename wouldn’t make it a new device, but all of the rumors concerning the iPhone SE 4 do suggest that it is going to be a major update. Where the iPhone SE has previously used older technology, such as retaining the Home button, this looks to be different.
Subscribe to AppleInsider on YouTubeSubscribe to AppleInsider on YouTubeIt’s going to be able to use Apple Intelligence, for one thing, which means it will have to have a fast enough processor and sufficient RAM. There have been rumors that the iPhone SE 4 will have a Dynamic Island, although that has been contradicted.
Overall, it’s expected that the iPhone SE 4 will physically resemble the iPhone 14 from 2022. Previous iPhone SE models have similarly been based on older designs.
However, it’s also been claimed that the iPhone SE 4 will even get an Action Button. That customizable button was introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro before being added across the whole iPhone 16 range.
If all of this is correct, then the iPhone SE 4 is looking to be significantly closer to the current iPhone range than before.
The key selling point of previous iPhone SE models has been that they are always the lowest cost iPhone available. If Apple manages to do that while still providing all of the rumored features, the iPhone SE 4 looks certain to be a hit.
It’s just debatable whether it’s going to be sufficiently different from previous models to warrant being rebranded. Then if it is called the iPhone 16E, there’s the question of whether that also means it will move to an annual update cycle and be followed by the iPhone 17E.
Apple does keep older iPhones on sale — at present it sells the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 alongside the iPhone 16 range. So an iPhone 16E, or similar name, could stay in the range for more than a year, but that seems to go against the implication of being a new part of the family.
So far there have been no rumors that would suggest an iPhone SE-like model for the forthcoming iPhone 17 range.In early January 2025, a seemingly unlikely leak claimed that the iPhone SE 4 would be renamed the iPhone 16E. It was chiefly considered doubtful because of the source of the leaks, but there was also that “iPhone SE’ has been a successful brand since 2016.
Now Bloomberg is backing up the claim of a rebrand, and doing so chiefly because of the phrasing Tim Cook used in his teaser tweet about a February 19 launch.
Get ready to meet the newest member of the family.Wednesday, February 19. #AppleLaunch pic.twitter.com/0ML0NfMedu”Get ready to meet the newest member of the family,” was initially taken to mean the iPhone SE 4. The argument now is that the iPhone SE has been in the iPhone family for nine years, so this ought to be something genuinely new.
Then a rename wouldn’t make it a new device, but all of the rumors concerning the iPhone SE 4 do suggest that it is going to be a major update. Where the iPhone SE has previously used older technology, such as retaining the Home button, this looks to be different.
It’s going to be able to use Apple Intelligence, for one thing, which means it will have to have a fast enough processor and sufficient RAM. There have been rumors that the iPhone SE 4 will have a Dynamic Island, although that has been contradicted.
Overall, it’s expected that the iPhone SE 4 will physically resemble the iPhone 14 from 2022. Previous iPhone SE models have similarly been based on older designs.
However, it’s also been claimed that the iPhone SE 4 will even get an Action Button. That customizable button was introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro before being added across the whole iPhone 16 range.
If all of this is correct, then the iPhone SE 4 is looking to be significantly closer to the current iPhone range than before.
The key selling point of previous iPhone SE models has been that they are always the lowest cost iPhone available. If Apple manages to do that while still providing all of the rumored features, the iPhone SE 4 looks certain to be a hit.
It’s just debatable whether it’s going to be sufficiently different from previous models to warrant being rebranded. Then if it is called the iPhone 16E, there’s the question of whether that also means it will move to an annual update cycle and be followed by the iPhone 17E.
Apple does keep older iPhones on sale — at present it sells the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 alongside the iPhone 16 range. So an iPhone 16E, or similar name, could stay in the range for more than a year, but that seems to go against the implication of being a new part of the family.
So far there have been no rumors that would suggest an iPhone SE-like model for the forthcoming iPhone 17 range.William Gallagher has 30 years of experience between the BBC and AppleInsider discussing Apple technology. Outside of AppleInsider, he’s best known for writing Doctor Who radio dramas for BBC/Big Finish, and is the De…This strikes me as a simple misinterpretation of what Mr Cook said.The iPhone SE (4th-gen) is a new product. So the description Cook applied to it … still applies.Of course there are other possibilities, including a name change to “16E” (terribley idea IMO), or possibly a surprise product announcement in addition.As always, we’ll see soon enough.
This strikes me as a simple misinterpretation of what Mr Cook said.The iPhone SE (4th-gen) is a new product. So the description Cook applied to it … still applies.Of course there are other possibilities, including a name change to “16E” (terribley idea IMO), or possibly a surprise product announcement in addition.As always, we’ll see soon enough.While I don’t actually believe there will be a 16E, here’s my devil’s advocate case for why it might happen: Fairly reliable rumor sources suggest that the phone will be getting the A18 processor that’s in the current iPhone 16. IF this proves to be true, then it’s easy to envision how this could become an annual spec-bump upgrade of the chip at the very least, and we would have the 17E next year, etc. Plus, if it’s done annually in the Feb/March timeframe, it comes at a time when the spotlight is dimming on current iPhone models and discussion turns to what’s coming in Sept. So this would be a nice publicity boost for iPhone, in general, at a time of year when there’s a dearth of PR news for it. It would also give the regular iPhone a 6-7 month window of exclusivity on having the latest chip before the “E” model gets it. Honestly, the real headscratcher for me is that IF the reliable rumor sources turn out to be right, this is going to be one HELLUVA phone for $499, and even that assumes that Apple raises the price. Seems like it would put all kinds of pressure on iPhone 16 sales, considering the 40%/$300 upcharge in the base price. And if this phone stays at the $429 base price–geez, that’ll be crazy.
While I don’t actually believe there will be a 16E, here’s my devil’s advocate case for why it might happen: Fairly reliable rumor sources suggest that the phone will be getting the A18 processor that’s in the current iPhone 16. IF this proves to be true, then it’s easy to envision how this could become an annual spec-bump upgrade of the chip at the very least, and we would have the 17E next year, etc. Plus, if it’s done annually in the Feb/March timeframe, it comes at a time when the spotlight is dimming on current iPhone models and discussion turns to what’s coming in Sept. So this would be a nice publicity boost for iPhone, in general, at a time of year when there’s a dearth of PR news for it. It would also give the regular iPhone a 6-7 month window of exclusivity on having the latest chip before the “E” model gets it. Honestly, the real headscratcher for me is that IF the reliable rumor sources turn out to be right, this is going to be one HELLUVA phone for $499, and even that assumes that Apple raises the price. Seems like it would put all kinds of pressure on iPhone 16 sales, considering the 40%/$300 upcharge in the base price. And if this phone stays at the $429 base price–geez, that’ll be crazy. Any phone whose name includes a number (like “16”) is going to sound old very quickly. Perhaps Apple wants its customers to feel like they are using an old iPhone, to encourage sales. Or perhaps Apple will give it a name that ages well, like SE. If Elon Musk were in charge, he would call it the “iPhone EX” and then in a couple of years he would call the next model the “XY”. (Elon’s four car models are S,3,X,Y.)
Any phone whose name includes a number (like “16”) is going to sound old very quickly. Perhaps Apple wants its customers to feel like they are using an old iPhone, to encourage sales. Or perhaps Apple will give it a name that ages well, like SE. If Elon Musk were in charge, he would call it the “iPhone EX” and then in a couple of years he would call the next model the “XY”. (Elon’s four car models are S,3,X,Y.)Blah blah blah. This is getting old.
Blah blah blah. This is getting old.Here’s my idea:new iPhone (just called iPhone) $499new iPad (still just called iPad) $399 (again)both lower end chips. less sophisticated/costly internals. Support Apple Intelligence via WiFi/cellular only via Private cloud compute. If one wants ChatGPT that’s included on higher tiered iPhone 15 Pro, 16, 16 Pro etc. otherwise get the app yourself and pay etc. cellular iPad ties well with carrier connectivity/plans. Win/win. Path to 16 upgrade or low cost option for those that can “live” without Apple Intelligence on device.
Here’s my idea:new iPhone (just called iPhone) $499new iPad (still just called iPad) $399 (again)both lower end chips. less sophisticated/costly internals. Support Apple Intelligence via WiFi/cellular only via Private cloud compute. If one wants ChatGPT that’s included on higher tiered iPhone 15 Pro, 16, 16 Pro etc. otherwise get the app yourself and pay etc. cellular iPad ties well with carrier connectivity/plans. Win/win. Path to 16 upgrade or low cost option for those that can “live” without Apple Intelligence on device. Amazon’s Presidents Day MacBook Air sale discounts the ultraportable laptops to as low as $749, with Best Buy offering flash deals today only as well.A new report about Spotify’s plans for a more expensive premium tier claims that Apple is considering doing the same, but Apple Music has no reason to ever copy its streaming rival.On this episode of the HomeKit Insider Podcast, we break down the latest in smart home news such as more rumors on Apple’s smart display, new devices, and smart robots.Sponsored ContentA lot of damage can be done with a person’s phone number, from endless spam calls to fraud and scams. Surfshark Alternative Number can protect you.The latest in a series of leaks about the physical chassis design of the iPhone 17 range says that it will be a significant departure from previous models.Dockcase has combined its USB-C hub and SSD enclosure prowess to make a formidable all-in-one USB-C accessory.Amazon’s steeper Beats deals deliver price cuts of up to 50% off over-ear headphones and earbuds.The Boox Note Air 3 C is the best color e-ink tablet we’ve tried. Just don’t expect to get an iPad, even though you’re paying iPad prices.The latest in a series of leaks about the physical chassis design of the iPhone 17 range says that it will be a significant departure from previous models.When consumers will see the debut of M5-based devices from Apple is coming into focus, and the shift will likely start with Apple’s MacBook Pro lineup.Apple’s M4 MacBook Air may be out as soon as the week of February 17. Here’s what to expect from Apple’s first Mac release of 2025.
Source: https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/02/16/tim-cooks-tweet-hints-at-new-name-for-iphone-se-4
