This could explain why Apple made the iPhone 16 so good

Apple did something with the iPhone 16 line that surprised a lot of people. It made the base model option stronger than ever, providing fewer compelling reasons to upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro. But recent reports about the next iPhone SE could explain why.

The compelling base model iPhone 16

For the last few years, when Apple has begun announcing its latest iPhones, my attention tends to drift. During the presentation of the base iPhone 15, iPhone 14, and so on, I haven’t been very interested.

Why? Because they’ve largely been a lot like the prior year’s Pro phones.

Usually the new non-Pro model gets the same chip as the year-old Pro, along with some other year-old features.

Which is fine. ‘Pro’ means you get new tech sooner. That works for me.

But this year was different.

The base model iPhone 16 comes with:

• a brand new A18 chip that’s nearly as good as the A18 Pro
• Camera Control, which in any other year would surely have been Pro-exclusive
• visual intelligence, coming exclusively to the iPhone 16 line
• the new second-gen Photographic Styles
• plus the Action Button, Apple Intelligence support, and USB-C that the 15 Pro had

The base iPhone 16 is extremely compelling, and has I suspect tempted more Pro buyers than ever to ‘downgrade.’

So why did Apple make it so good? I think the iPhone SE 4 is the reason.

iPhone SE 4 will make a strong case to skip the flagship

Several reports have indicated that next spring’s iPhone SE 4 is going to bring major change to Apple’s budget option.

Features will include:

• edge-to-edge design with the notch and no Home Button
• OLED display, an upgrade from the current LCD
• A18 chip with 8GB of RAM
• full Apple Intelligence support
• 48MP main camera
• new Apple-designed 5G modem

Overall, the iPhone SE 4 appears to offer the best value ever in an SE model.

We don’t know the price yet, but let’s assume it starts around the current $429—or even as high as $499.

All of the above features will make the iPhone SE 4 a very tempting alternative to the iPhone 16.

Alternate history: a weaker iPhone 16

What if Apple had stuck with its usual playbook and withheld key innovations from the base iPhone 16?

For example, imagine it didn’t get Camera Control, an A18 chip, or the forthcoming visual intelligence feature.

It would have been very hard to upsell cost-conscious buyers from the SE to the iPhone 16. The ~$300 upgrade wouldn’t have gained you all that much.

But with the iPhone 16 we did get, there are more reasons to buy a 16 instead of the SE:

• the Dynamic Island
• Ultra Wide camera
• Action Button
• Camera Control with visual intelligence coming

Importantly, every item on this list represents a visual, physical difference on the device.

If you’re shopping at an Apple Store and hold an iPhone SE 4 and iPhone 16 side by side, you’ll see a lot of differences. That matters.

Strong models at every price point

Overall, with the iPhone 16 line and SE 4, Apple will be able to offer strong models at every price point.

• interested in a budget option? the iPhone SE 4 will offer significant value
• want more modern features? the iPhone 16 has you covered
• need the best possible iPhone? that’s the iPhone 16 Pro

This will make for one of the most compelling iPhone lineups I can recall. And all ahead of the potentially game-changing iPhone 17 Air next fall.

What do you think? Did the SE 4 influence Apple’s decisions with the iPhone 16? Let us know in the comments.

Best iPhone 16 accessories

• ESR 3-in-1 MagSafe portable charger
• Anker 100W charging brick for fast charging
• 3.3ft USB-C cable for longer reach
• CarPlay-friendly USB-A to USB-C cable
• MagSafe Wallet w/ integrated PopSocket