Apple has announced a new iPhone that provides artificial intelligence features (AI) at a lower cost than its flagship handsets.
The iPhone 16th has the same processor as the largest iPhone 16, said Apple, with similar storage options, although a lower specification elsewhere, including fewer cameras.
Apple is struggling to find a new product that excites consumers – iPhones sales were abandoned at the end of last year.
He hoped that bringing it improved AI features to a less expensive phone will tackle this – however, analysts have been cautious about the end of sales that these tools bring.
His name is clearly a nod to his series iPhone SE, which was published from 2016 to 2022, and at a similar price much lower.
Apple said the iPhone 16th will be available in pre-order from February 21 in 59 countries
It will be launched in the United Kingdom for £ 599, £ 200 less than the iPhone 16 – but more than double what the original iPhone experienced when it was launched in 2016.
“It now becomes one of the most affordable powerful iPhones on the market,” said Paolo Pescatore, industry analyst, BBC News.
“This decision should help accelerate adoption and in particular its foray into AI Apple Intelligence.
“Apple’s confidence and credibility are essential – this will alone help stimulate sales and attract users of rival devices and platforms.”
A large part of the conversation around the new handset will probably concentrate around its power, Apple choosing to use the same A18 chip behind its most expensive devices.
This means that the 16th will be able to play the same games and perform the same applications as other iPhones – although AI is probably at the heart of this decision.
Apple’s boss, Tim Cook, said in the announcement that the new model presented “fans” of Apple fans “of the company’s performance, intelligence and confidentiality”.
And he said that Apple Intelligence’s features on the device “would help you save time, quickly do more things and express new ways.”
The company has introduced its turn on technology – Apple Intelligence – with this series of devices, which includes new tools for writing and incorporating the Openai chatbot chatbot into Siri.
It did not always go well, the company at some point by suspending its alerts from new generated by AI-AI after having created false titles allocated to press organizations, including the BBC.
It now presents the summary in italics.
Apple said its new phone is “designed for Apple Intelligence”, and indicated certain technology features, such as an easy way to clean photos or search for your image library.
Other telephone manufacturers have similar features on their devices – although the iPhone 16th is by far the cheapest way to access AI on an Apple handset.
“The iPhone 16th generates a new source of income for Apple, and this will be particularly visible in key markets like India, where most people are out of reach,” said Dipanjan Chatterjee, main analyst of Forrester.
“There is also a second order effect of cheaper devices such as the iPhone 16th, bringing new customers to the Apple ecosystem.
“We have seen a limited appetite among many bases installed to go from previous versions, but the new phone reduces the obstacle to the costs of reaching the Apple Intelligence train.”
