In early April, it was reported that Apple was planning to unveil a budget-friendly iPhone before the calendar flipped to May.
On Wednesday morning, those roughly two-week-old reports were confirmed when Apple gave a virtual presentation to show off a new version of the iPhone SE (which had originally launched in 2016). Previous iPhone unveilings had been accompanied by real-life presentations complete with fans, but the current COVID-19 pandemic made a virtual first-look necessary since large events are indefinitely banned in Apple's home of Santa Clara County, California.
The new device is offered at "the most affordable price in our iPhone lineup," according to the announcement. It will retail for the same price that the OG SE went for four years ago ($399), which is a little more than half of what an iPhone 11 ($699) will run you, and a little more than a third of what an iPhone 11 Pro Max ($1099) would cost.
The new/lower price point is well-timed, as the coronavirus has caused millions of people to lose their jobs, while delays have stymied production in Apple's manufacturing facilities in China.
As for features, the new phone has a 4.7-inch screen (compared to 6.1 inches for the iPhone 11). But don't let that make you feel inadequate. The SE will still have the same processor that's in the Pro (you can play all the same apps/games as the company's higher-end models), as well as Retina HD display, a home button that allows for TouchID, wireless charging, and 4K video. The battery life is the same as the iPhone 8, and it's probably also relevant that there's no headphone jack, so you'll need an adapter if you prefer regular headphones.
When it comes to the camera, CNN International reports that the SE's will be of the "wide" variety. Image stabilization and quick autofocus in bad light are features, as are portrait mode, tools for lighting adjustment, and "depth of field control."
The new phones come in white, black, or red. You can pre-order them starting Friday, April 17, and they'll become available a week after, on April 24.
For those who do decide to purchase early, your phone will obviously be shipped to you, since almost all of Apple's stores are currently closed.
