Updated Feb. 19 with full details of the new iPhone and when to expect it to go on pre-sale, and land in store.
Apple’s new product unveiling has taken place, for as CEO Tim Cook described it, the “newest member of the family.” We now know that the new phone is called the iPhone 16e and it is unlike any iPhone SE before it. Read on for more details and a fully updated complete schedule for when it’s coming.
Apple iPhone 16e: What We Know So Far
The new phone has a 6.1-inch display (there are now no iPhones with smaller displays). It’s an OLED display with a cut-out, not a Dynamic Island, at the top of the display. Like other iPhone 16e models, it has a 12-megapixel front camera, an Action Button and USB-C connectivity.
Unlike the other iPhone 16 handsets, there’s no second camera on the back, and no Camera Control. The processor matches the iPhone 16, Apple A18, so it’s capable of Apple Intelligence and one aspect of this, Visual Intelligence, which is an iPhone 16 specialty, will be accessible through the configurable Action Button.
And there’s an all-new feature: the Apple C1 is the first modem built in-house by Apple. It is, the company says, the most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone.
Apple iPhone SE: What Will It Look Like?
Although reports say it will be largely based on the design of the iPhone 14, it’s rumored to have just one camera. This seems to be borne out by a transparent case spotted by Macworld.
This case shows a horizontal lozenge cut-out in the top corner, wide enough to handle two lenses, you might think, until you remember that the cut-out needs to accommodate a flash as well. The case seems to confirm that the new iPhone will, like every previous iPhone SE, have just one rear camera.
Since the front of the phone is expected to offer Face ID with its dual lenses, it means that this will be first ever iPhone with more cameras on the front than the back.
The case, which of course is no proof that the manufacturer has the design spot-on, does not have a space for the Camera Control found on the iPhone 16 series.
The case does have a cut-out for the mute switch, though it’s not clear at this point whether it could also serve for an Action Button, as found on the iPhone 16.
Apple iPhone SE: The Unveiling CONFIRMED
When and where: Wednesday, Feb. 19 by press release
Tim Cook confirmed last week that this would be the day for the new product to be revealed. It’s highly unlikely that there’s a big event for the announcement as no invites were sent out to the press.
As for timing: press release announcements are often at 5 a.m. Pacific/8 a.m. Eastern/1 p.m. U.K. Big events like WWDC are always at 10 a.m. Pacific/1 p.m. Eastern/6 p.m. U.K. So it’ll be between those times.
However, let’s also bear in mind that Cook made his announcement on X at 8 a.m. Pacific/11 a.m. Eastern/4 p.m. U.K., so I’d suggest keeping an eye out at that time as well. Update: it turns out the 8 a.m. launch was a good steer as that’s when it went live.
At the event, we’ll hear all details of what’s coming, when it will go on sale (though, really, you can read about that below) and the price, thought to be between $479 and $499, though it could be more. Update: the pricing was very different—it starts at $599 for the model with 128GB storage.
Apple iPhone SE: Pre-Orders Begin DATE CONFIRMED
When and where: Friday, Feb. 21, 5 a.m. Pacific
This could change but if Apple follows the playbook for the iPhone 16, pre-orders will open at 5 a.m. Pacific/8 a.m. Eastern/1 p.m. U.K.
Note that for the iPhone 16, Apple let customers get a head start by choosing the model they wanted the night before (Thursday, Feb. 20, that would mean) and save their shopping bag.
Apple iPhone SE: First Reviews Appear
When and where: Tuesday, Feb. 25 or Wednesday, Feb. 26
A small number of reviewers get to see the iPhone before general release, with the embargo to publish lifting between one and three days before onsale date.
The time of day is typically 6 a.m. Pacific/9 a.m. Eastern/2 p.m. U.K. However, this sometimes changes.
Apple iPhone SE: Onsale date CONFIRMED
When and where: Friday, Feb. 28, 8 a.m. local time
I’m stone-cold certain this will be the release date, though it won’t be confirmed until the product is unveiled. Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter on Sunday, Feb. 16 said, “Apple is preparing to announce the phone on Feb. 19 and put it on sale before the end of the month.”
Since Apple favors a Friday release for its new products, and this coming Friday, Feb. 21 is just way too early, that only leaves Feb. 28.
The phone sales begin at 8 a.m. local time, so customers in Australia will be able to buy many hours before those in Los Angeles.
I’ll be updating this post as details are confirmed, so please check back.
