Five days ago, on 13th February, CEO Tim Cook took to X (the platform previously known as Twitter) to tease an upcoming Apple launch. Per tradition, the post carried several Easter Eggs, giving eagle-eyed onlookers, a chance to “decode” what is coming. Today, February 19, is D-day.
Apple launch: Your complete guide
Before we dig in, we’d like to clear a couple of things. Don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Apple is not hosting any event as it is being widely reported. Cook’s post itself makes it crystal clear. The launch timing, too, isn’t official, like it is when Apple holds “actual” events.
This can mean only one thing. This is a soft launch where Apple will make the announcement—whatever it is—through a press release. Also, there is a good chance, Cupertino might release a video—possibly an advertisement or multiple advertisements—to showcase “the newest member of the family.”
Frankly, this product could be anything, but all signs point to the new iPhone SE. The devil once again lies in the detail itself. Cook’s choice of words gives it away—family: iPhone 16, new member: iPhone SE 4/iPhone 16E. In fact, with Apple placing “it” within the same “series”, this could mark the end of the “special edition” moniker altogether which could tantamount to another big “breaking” story: yearly upgrades. We all know that Apple has had a hard time putting two and two together with the SE models. Maybe now, we’ll see one new “E” iPhone model each year.
It is important because, on paper, this would be Apple’s most affordable “modern” iPhone in that year. We’re still not sure how Apple will pull this off, because all iPhone SE models so far, have used recycled parts, meaning somewhat older iPhone design “turbocharged” with latest hardware. The iPhone SE 4/iPhone 16E is largely expected to be a souped-up iPhone 14 with the A18 chip from the iPhone 16. And there are only so many iPhones to be able to do this on a regular basis. But I digress.
Why iPhone SE 4 is important?
That’s all in the future and frankly, it doesn’t even matter at this point because the new iPhone SE has been a long time coming. The current third-generation model dates back to 2022 and still has “yesteryear” technology like a Home Button with Touch ID and Lightning port. The iPhone SE 4 has been a long time coming and so, let’s just take a moment to appreciate that. Smartphone launches have become too “pedestrian” these days and while the iPhone SE 4, too, would be largely on very expected lines, the prospects of a new “budget” iPhone brings a twinkle in your eye. Let’s just hope, that’s what Apple is indeed launching later today. For everything on what to expect from this Apple launch, feel free to visit this link and stay tuned for all the big updates.
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