iPhone SE 4 or iPhone 16e: Is Apple Pulling The Plug On The Eight-Year-Old Brand?

By Shikhar Mehrotra • Updated On Dec 17, 2024

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TL;DR

For years, Apple has sold the iPhone SE with the same design. The current-generation model in the market follows the same aesthetic.
Given that the upcoming iPhone SE 4 won’t resemble the lineup and the rumor that it will support Apple Intelligence, it is wiser to move away from the “SE” branding.

The iPhone SE 4 is in the headlines again, but this time, for a rather surprising development. In 2025, Apple is expected to refresh its iPhone SE lineup with a new model that looks and feels like a contemporary smartphone. While that entails equipping the phone with enough features, Apple might change its name entirely.

Apple Might Rebrand The iPhone SE 4 as “iPhone 16e”

iPhone SE 4 To Borrow iPhone 14's Display

According to a post from “Fixed Focus Digital” on the Chinese microblogging platform Weibo, Apple might abandon the iPhone “SE” branding soon. So, what would the purported iPhone SE 4 be renamed to?

The Weibo user claims that the iPhone’s name could change to “iPhone 16e.” While it might sound weird at first, it makes sense for the company to do so, and there are several reasons for it.

Also Read: Smartprix People’s Choice Awards 2024 Winners: Best TVs and Audio Products

Apple Doesn’t Want To Associate The Upcoming iPhone With Its “SE” Brand

For years, Apple has sold the iPhone SE with the same design. The current-generation model in the market follows the same aesthetic: bulky bezels on the top and bottom of the screen, with the iconic Home Button and a small yet premium metallic frame.

However, the next-generation iPhone SE, or the iPhone 16e, isn’t anything like the current or the older models. Instead, it is said to sport a completely new design: a new edge-to-edge screen (borrowed from the iPhone 14) and a single high-resolution camera (borrowed from the iPhone 15).

Also Read: Smartprix People’s Choice Awards 2024 Winners: Best of Smartphones

Apple’s Competitors Name Their Affordable Handsets After The Flagship Models

Given that the upcoming iPhone SE 4 won’t resemble the lineup and the rumor that it will support Apple Intelligence, it is wiser to move away from the “SE” branding. Naming the phone “iPhone 16e” would also mean that the phone is a part of the latest iPhone 16 lineup.

If we zoom out a bit and look at other companies in the market, most of the brands have a slightly more affordable but equally functional model as their flagship. For Google, it is the Pixel A series that offers the flagship Pixel’s features at a more accessible price. Similarly, it is the FE series for Samsung, with the Galaxy S24 FE being the latest addition.

Also Read: How to Redeem Jio Cloud 100 GB Storage for Free on Your Device

Similarly, adding the “16e” suffix would associate the upcoming iPhone with the iPhone 16 series, something that will work in the favor of Apple. Those were the two reasons we think why the next iPhone SE could be called the iPhone 16e.

We’ve already covered the upcoming iPhone’s specifications and rumors in detail. Check out the following links to learn more about Apple’s plans for 2025 and what the iPhone SE 4 (or iPhone 16e) could offer.

You can follow Smartprix on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Google News. Visit smartprix.com for the latest tech and auto news, reviews, and guides.

Shikhar Mehrotra

Shikhar Mehrotra is a seasoned technology writer and reviewer with over five years of experience covering consumer tech across India and global markets. At Smartprix, he has authored more than 1,700 articles, including news stories, features, comparisons, and product reviews spanning automobiles, smartphones, chipsets, wearables, laptops, home appliances, and operating systems. Shikhar has reviewed flagship devices such as the iPhone 16, Galaxy S25+, and Sennheiser HD 505 Open-Ear headphones. He also contributes regularly to Smartprix’s growing automotive section.

With a deep understanding of both iOS and Android ecosystems, Shikhar specializes in daily tech news, how-to explainers, product comparisons, and in-depth reviews. His DSLR photography in product reviews is recognized as among the best on the team.

Before joining Smartprix, Shikhar wrote for leading publications including Forbes Advisor India, Republic World, and ScreenRant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University, Lucknow.

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