Apple introduced the iPhone SE today during the Apple Special Event at their Infinite Loop campus. The event marked the company's fortieth anniversary, according to CEO Tim Cook.
The iPhone SE will be the same size as the current 4-inch iPhone 5s, but will have updated internals equivalent to the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. This includes a 64-bit A9 processor chip, which is double the speed of the processor chip used in the iPhone 5s, 3x the graphics ability of the iPhone 5s and a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera capable of shooting 4k-quality video.
Both Live Photos and Hey Siri — 6s- and 6s Plus-exclusive features — will come to the iPhone SE, in addition to a much faster Touch ID sensor and Apple Pay. Selfie takers can use the True Tone software flash to take night photos, while aspiring filmmakers will be able to edit up to two 4k video streams at once.
The iPhone SE’s network hardware has been upgraded as well. It can now support LTE up to 150Mbps, voice over LTE, 802.11ac Wi-FI up to 433Mbps and Wi-Fi calling.
Pre-orders will open for the iPhone SE March 24, and the phone will become available for purchase March 31 in the United States, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Apple expects to have the 4-inch iPhone rolled out in 110 countries by May.
The iPhone SE, which comes in all the same colors as the iPhone 6s, will start at $399 but will have a 64GB model available for $499. It can be purchased with a $17/monthly installment plan or free with a two year subsidized service plan.
