Apple, which recently released the iPhone 16, is preparing to announce a new low-cost phone early next year along with the updated iPad devices.
The company is close to releasing an updated iPhone SE – codenamed V59 – which will become its new entry-level model, according to people familiar with the matter.
The company also aims to make new iPad Air models and keyboards for release around the same time, said the people, who asked to remain anonymous because the plans are not public.
This release represents the first update to the iPhone SE since 2022, when Apple added the ability to integrate fifth-generation communications technology into the device. With the latest model, Apple abandons the old home button design and moves to an edge-to-edge touch screen.
China phone competition
The complete update to the iPhone SE will help the company compete in the low-cost smartphone market, where there is a lot of competition against Android devices, especially in China. The current model is priced at $429, which is hundreds of dollars less than the latest iPhone, but more expensive than many of its competitors. Updating the iPhone SE to make it more like its sibling could attract budget-conscious buyers, and perhaps help the company regain market share it’s lost to brands like Huawei and Xiaomi.
The new phone is expected to support “Apple Intelligence”, which is a set of artificial intelligence tools that will also work with “iPhone 15” devices, and advanced versions of “iPhone 15” brought to – in last year. The new model will be similar to the iPhone 14, including the upper part known as the “notch”. The current iPhone SE looks very similar to the iPhone 8, the last standard version to feature a home button.
A spokesman for Apple, which is based in Cupertino, California, declined to comment.
The new iPad Air models – codenamed J607 and J637 – focus on internal updates. Apple is also preparing to launch an updated version of the Magic Keyboard accessory, with code names (R307 and R308), for both the 11-inch and 13-inch versions of the iPad Air. These updates bring some of the iPad Pro’s keyboard features to less expensive models.
New processors and updates
Earlier this year, Apple updated its Air line with the M2 processor and added a 13-inch screen option. A new iPad mini – dubbed the J410 – is also expected to be released before the end of this year.
An updated version of the iPad Pro was released at the same time as this year’s iPad Air, but this advanced device includes an M4 processor, which has not yet been released in other models. This means that the update is not so urgent for the company, since the chip is already a full generation ahead.
In addition to the new iPhone SE and iPad, Apple is also updating its Mac line. Updated models this year include the Mac Mini, as well as the updated MacBook Pro and iMac.
These devices will use the M4 processor and feature Apple Intelligence. The M4 processor will be added to the MacBook Air, Mac Studio and Mac Pro devices in 2025.
