New information from a Japanese electronics firm has surfaced ahead of Apple’s event, suggesting the company will introduce the iPhone 16E as its latest low-cost model. The device appears to incorporate significant design overhauls and will reportedly feature Apple’s first custom 5G modem, according to industry sources, experts confirm today.
The new iPhone could be unveiled on February 19, according to a teaser posted by Apple CEO Tim Cook. At the eleventh hour, however, there were rumors that the corporation might not go ahead with the ‘iPhone SE’ name, despite the fact that chronologically speaking, it will be called the iPhone SE 4.
It would be the first time Apple might offer a name change for its budget handset, according to a tipster who discovered evidence through the website of a Japanese electronics manufacturer that the device will actually be called the iPhone 16E.
The following image is a tip from tipster Majin Bu showing that the filtered results for an Elecom search for “iPhone 16E” featured Apple’s iPhone 16. The gadget will look similar to the standard iPhone 16 in terms of appearance, but it will clearly have certain alterations, such as one rear camera and no Dynamic Island.
The Elecom company has mistakenly uploaded the name of the next iPhone on its site, and it seems that it could actually be “16E.” In fact, taking into account the latest rumors and Tim Cook’s words, it is possible that we will soon welcome a new member to the family. pic.twitter.com/G1dmspVUe5
— Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) February 18, 2025
Although rumored to be slower than Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X75, Apple’s first custom in-house 5G modem, which has been reported on many occasions, will be included in the iPhone 16E. This is a positive development in terms of claiming dependency from its present supplier.
The fact that the iPhone 16E possesses a number of physical attributes that give it the appearance of being comparable to the iPhone 16 is one of the reasons why Apple might decide to change the name of the iPhone 16E.
Another theory is that Apple has no intention of retiring the iPhone SE 3, their most affordable model right now, even though it still gets software updates every year. The rumored starting price for the iPhone 16E is $499. Thus, Apple may still offer the iPhone SE 3 for $399 or $349 as a cheap way for people to try out iOS.
However, it is within the realm of possibility that Elecom made a significant error, and Apple may continue to refer to its forthcoming low-cost model as the iPhone SE. As a result, we will have to wait for the formal announcement to arrive either later today or later this week.
Luis Gochoco is a seasoned managing editor and writer with over a decade of experience covering politics, technology, gaming, and entertainment news. With a keen eye for breaking stories and in-depth analysis, he has established himself as a trusted voice in digital journalism. Luis is one of the key forces behind the success of GameNGuide, contributing to 12 million views through engaging and high-traffic content. He also played a pivotal role in generating 8 million views on International Business Times, shaping the platform’s technology and gaming coverage.
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