Apple To Launch New Low-Cost iPhone SE

Apple (AAPL) is expected to launch a new version of its low-cost iPhone SE at a product event today (Feb. 19).The exact item to be revealed at Apple’s event isn’t known. Apple CEO Tim Cook teased the upcoming event on social media last week without providing any details. However, many analysts are speculating that Apple will unveil its newest iPhone SE model, which is a less expensive version of the company’s signature smartphone.Unlike more expensive iPhone models, the SE still has a button on the front and a single camera lens on the back. The SE also uses an A15 Bionic microchip that is less powerful than the A19 chip found in the high-end iPhone 16, which is the newest version of the popular smartphone.The iPhone SE was first introduced in 2016 and previously updated in 2020 and 2022. The new version of the iPhone SE that’s likely to be revealed today is expected to include the removal of the home button.Other changes that are anticipated include the introduction of Apple’s artificial intelligence (A.I.) software, known as “Apple Intelligence,” along with a more powerful processor.There are unconfirmed reports that the new iPhone SE could be Apple’s first device with an in-house cellular modem chip, replacing components previously made by Qualcomm (QCOM). Analysts are estimating that the new base model iPhone SE will cost $499 U.S., or less than half the starting price of the iPhone 16 base model. The stock of Apple has risen 35% over the last 12 months to trade at $244.47 U.S. per share.