Before the much-awaited launch of the iPhone SE 4 on February 19, 2025, Apple CEO Tim Cook’s latest teaser tweet has created rumors over a possible rebranding of the phone. The tweet, “Get ready to meet the newest member of the family,” was at first taken to be referring to the iPhone SE 4, but according to sources now, Apple might have more in store for its affordable phone.
Earlier this January 2025, a shocking leak stated that the iPhone SE 4 will be rebranded to the iPhone 16E. Although at first, the leak sounded flaky, particularly considering the reliability of the source, Bloomberg later supported the theory. The iPhone SE has been an established brand since 2016, and the case for rebranding arises from the fact that the phone is due for a substantial upgrade and not merely an incremental update.
The iPhone SE has historically been built on previous models, with older technologies such as the physical Home button. The iPhone SE 4 is, however, said to come with major upgrades. These are Apple Intelligence, a new and powerful processor, adequate RAM, and even possibly an Action Button, which was first seen on the iPhone 15 Pro. There are also some leaks indicating that the iPhone SE 4 may take a design cue from the iPhone 14, breaking away from the older design language of the previous models.
Additionally, rumors indicate that the iPhone SE 4 might feature Dynamic Island, a feature that has divided opinion. Despite some contradictions in these leaks, one thing seems clear: the iPhone SE 4 is likely to have major upgrades, making it closer in design and features to the current iPhone lineup.
Another key aspect is the iPhone SE’s pricing. Past iterations have always been the cheapest iPhones in Apple’s portfolio, so they have become extremely popular. If Apple manages to pack the speculated features into an affordable model, the iPhone SE 4 might be a huge hit.
Whether or not the iPhone SE 4 becomes the iPhone 16E is not yet known. If the new nomenclature holds, it could suggest a move toward an annual update schedule, but only time will tell how Apple elects to frame this new-generation device.
