iPhone Rumored to Ditch Home Button, Embrace iPhone 14 Design in ’16E’ Rebranding
Apple is cooking up a significant change for its budget-friendly smartphone, hinting at a departure from its existing "SE" branding. Sources indicate the device, previously known as the iPhone SE, could be rechristened the iPhone 16E, integrating it more fully into Apple’s iPhone lineup.
While this shift was first rumored last year, fresh leaks offer a glimpse into the device’s potential design. The iPhone 16E is expected to shed its predecessor’s rounded edges and smaller screen, embracing a more squared-off look reminiscent of the iPhone 14. Sources, including Gizmodo, suggest a sleek OLED display will highlight the updated aesthetic.
Perhaps the most notable change would be the elimination of the home button, a feature ubiquitous to the iPhone SE series but absent from recent iPhone models. This move further aligns the 16E with the mainstream iPhone experience, relying on full-screen gestures for navigation.
The rumored action button, also seen on the iPhone 14 Pro models, could offer a customizable shortcut for various functions, enhancing the user experience.
Whether these rumors prove accurate remains to be seen. Apple remains tight-lipped about its future product plans. However, the whispers surrounding the iPhone 16E suggest a noteworthy evolution for Apple’s budget-friendly offering, emphasizing a design language more closely aligned with its flagship models.