Apple is about to launch a new product, and it's presumed to be the fourth-generation iPhone SE, Apple's most affordable phone. However, a series of reports have suggested that it's not that at all, but something different: an all-new iPhone model, perhaps called iPhone 16E that may not be so affordable after all. The iPhone 16E moniker was first mentioned back in December, but was largely discounted as incorrect. Now, prolific leaker Majin Bu has commented on X that the iPhone 16E name is the one they think is coming, with a design expected to be based on the iPhone 16 rather than the iPhone 14, but without the Dynamic Island and the capture button.

The design comment is important, as basing it on the latest iPhone in terms of size is a key reason to add 16 to the name. For reference, the iPhone 14 measured 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches and the iPhone 16 is slightly taller: 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches. In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggested as much, doubling down on comments made back in January from various sources. What if, the theory goes, Apple is launching a phone that's so different from previous SE models that it doesn't need to be called SE and should be given a new name to indicate how distinct it is from the SE series? The iPhone SE is identified with a low-cost smartphone which takes an existing design and slavishly copies it, only updating the insides of the phone with a new processor, 5G or other upgrades.

But every report about this week's launch points to a phone with a completely original design. Sure, it looks like it's based on the iPhone 14 (or iPhone 16), but that has two cameras and it's thought this will only have one, perhaps with 48-megapixel resolution. It's also not clear whether the new phone will have the Dynamic Island cut-out, or the new Camera Control or a customizable Action button, none of which were on the iPhone 14. And the processor is likely to be the A18, found in the iPhone 16, as this offers compatibility with Apple Intelligence, surely a shoo-in for the new phone? In which case, a name that evokes the latest iPhone series could be good, and that puts iPhone 16e in the frame.

Here are some key points to consider about the upcoming iPhone launch: * The iPhone SE 4 is likely to carry forward the display from the iPhone 14, meaning it could feature a 6.1-inch OLED panel with a 60Hz refresh rate. * The phone will reportedly be powered by the same A18 processor as the iPhone 16 range, and is expected to be the first device to feature an in-house cellular modem chip. * The iPhone SE 4 is likely to come with 8GB of RAM, much like the iPhone 16 series, to allow Apple Intelligence-related features to run smoothly. * The iPhone SE 4 is expected to be priced at $499 for the base variant, which should translate to around ₹50,000 price point in India. * The pre-orders for iPhone SE 4 are likely to start from 21 February onwards, and the phone could go on sale from 28 February.

All will be revealed in the coming hours, as Apple is set to launch its new product, and it's expected to be a major event in the technology world. With the rumored features and price point, it's likely to be a significant release for Apple, and one that will generate a lot of interest and excitement among tech enthusiasts. As the launch approaches, it's worth keeping an eye on the latest news and updates to get a better understanding of what to expect from the new iPhone model.