The speculation turned out to be accurate, although many opted for a capital “E” instead of lowercase; the iPhone SE 4 will officially be called the iPhone 16e.
There’s a query about what the “e” signifies. Apple has typically been ambiguous regarding the meanings of suffixes like S, R, and SE attached to various iPhone versions, but this time they provided clarification…
Majin Bu was on point
The leaker Majin Bu was the first to predict the new designation, at the start of January, and was spot-on with all the specifics (if we overlook the capital “E”).
According to my source, it appears that the new iPhone Apple plans to announce in 2025 will not be called iPhone SE4, but iPhone 16E. It should showcase a design akin to the iPhone 14, featuring an OLED display and an action button. The colors available will be white and black.
He also mentioned some seemingly authentic packaging shortly before the unveiling.
Apple’s Track Record with Ambiguous Suffixes
Apple has a history of using letter suffixes with unclear definitions. The “S” in the iPhone 3GS was reportedly short for “speed,” yet it lacked a defined meaning throughout the iPhone 4S to 6S series.
The iPhone 5C was straightforward, with “colorful” being the reference (though it’s likely Apple wouldn’t label it as “cheap”!).
The Macintosh SE was said to mean “Special Edition,” but whether this had the same connotation for the iPhone SE is still debated.
Before adopting the clearer mini, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max naming conventions, we also saw the iPhone XR and XS.
What does the “e” represent in iPhone 16e?
John Gruber points out that during a press briefing yesterday, someone inquired about the meaning, and Apple responded that it signifies… nothing specific.
In an online press briefing today, when asked if the “E” had a specific meaning, an Apple representative emphasized that it does not stand for anything, and that it’s designed for everyone. I doubt she meant to imply that the “E” secretly stands for everyone, especially considering Apple likely doesn’t aim for affordability with their lowest-priced iPhone model.
Therefore, that’s the official clarification: it’s merely a random letter.
Image: DMN/Apple
