Apple has a steady and predictable formula for its SE models. They take the internals of iPhones that are multiple years old and give them a chip bump to the latest SOC. Apple’s first ever SE model, the iPhone SE 1, was an iPhone 5s with the chip of the iPhone 6S. The iPhone SE 2 was an iPhone 8 with the A13 Bionic, the chip of the iPhone 11. We got another update, which gave it the A15 Binoic chip.
This allows Apple to price it at under $450. However, they’ve always had major drawbacks for the SE model. It was mostly about the design and the outdated LCD panel. Apple is planning to change this with the 2025 model. It leaves behind the classic home button design, and it will supposedly bring a full-screen display with a notch. This is a major upgrade to the design.
Since the SE name is standalone and associated with a budget model with thick bezels and a home button, Apple is possibly planning to give it the “iPhone 16” tag to make it more enticing for buyers. Earlier, there were some rumors that Apple was releasing two SE models. One base and one larger-sized “Plus” model. As per recent updates, this is false, and Apple is going to release only one model.
As per a post on X from Majin Bu (via Macrumors), Apple might call the new model the iPhone 16E. This is probably giving us room for a slightly higher price tag, too. The post reports that it will feature a similar design to the 2022 iPhone 14. This is a much more recent design and looks a lot more modern than the existing iPhone SE 3.
It supposedly brings the Action Button from the new iPhones as well, and the panel is getting a major upgrade. Since the base 17 models are apparently getting 120Hz Pro Motion, it’s about time Apple gave the SE models OLED. The leak also mentions that the iPhone 16E will get a standard 60Hz OLED panel.
As per the same leak, there are two color options only, and they’re Black and White.
