iPhone SE: Apple's MUCH CHEAPER new iPhone has the power of an iPhone 6s and the price of a 5s Apple has unveiled a new 4-inch iPhone, the iPhone SE, with the power of an iPhone 6s in a device the size of an iPhone 5s - at a attractive price. At an event in California today, Apple's Greg Joswiak said that, although customers love the larger iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, the 4-inch iPhone 5s it still very popular, with 30 million sold this year. While some people simply prefer smaller iPhones, for a lot of these people it's their first iPhone - because they're either switching from Android or it's their first ever smartphone. The new iPhone SE retains the design of the iPhone 5s, but has the innards of an iPhone 6s , including an 64-bit A9 chip with improved processing power and graphic performance. It also has a 12-megapixel rear camera capable of capturing "Live Photos" and 4K video, and a front-facing camera with "Retina Flash", which momentarily makes the display three times brighter for better selfies in low light. It comes with Apple's latest operating system software iOS 9.3, and built-in apps like Messages, FaceTime, Photos, Music and Maps to iPhone users - as well as support for Apple's virtual personal assistant, Siri. However, Apple didn't say anything about the iPhone SE having 3D Touch technology, suggesting that it won't respond to pressure in the same way as the iPhone 6s . Other features include improved 4G capability that is 50% faster than on the iPhone 5s, high-quality WiFi-calling, improved battery life and an near-field communication (NFC) chip for Apple Pay. “iPhone SE is an exciting new idea - we started with a beloved, iconic design and reinvented it from the inside out," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing. "Everyone who wants a smaller phone is going to love iPhone SE." iPhone SE will be available in space grey, silver, gold and rose gold metallic finishes in 16GB and 64GB models, starting at £359. Customers in the UK will be able to pre-order the iPhone SE from this Thursday, March 24, with availability beginning March 31. Commenting on the launch of the iPhone SE, Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at uSwitch.com, said it should be read as a battle cry to the Chinese smartphone brands that have taken a bite out of Apple in recent months. “Targeted at Millennials with smaller budgets, the SE offers a fully-formed iPhone experience for around £170 cheaper than its flagship," he said. "Taking the iconic design of the 5s and supercharging it with the innards of the 6s, its best iPhone yet, and for a vastly lower price, should strike fear in the hearts of brands already competing in the mid range mobile market." This is not the first time Apple has attempted to woo thrifty customers with a cheap and cheerful iPhone. The iPhone 5c, launched in 2013, was intended to fulfil the same purpose. However, it raised eyebrows when it launched, because it was only £80 cheaper than the flagship 5s.

• published: 22 Mar 2016
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