Apple likely to launch iPhone SE 4, new iPad Air early next year

Apple is close to starting production of an updated iPhone SE that will serve as a new low-end model and is also aiming to manufacture new iP Air models, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with matter.

refreshed Apple products are expected to be released early next year, report said.

This marks first update to iPhone SE since 2022 when Apple ded 5G and a faster A15 Bionic chip to model. model helps company to better compete with industry leers Samsung, Xiaomi and ors in mid-range smartphone market.

Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

iPhone SE is generally considered cheapest model from iPhone series with prices starting from $429.

new iP Air models — codenamed J607 and J637 — will focus on internal improvements, report said, ding that company is also preparing an updated version of its Magic Keyboard accessory, codenamed R307 and R308, for both 11-inch and 13-inch versions of new Air.

new SE phone is expected to support company's AI software, Apple Intelligence, report ded.

Early in September, Apple unveiled its long-awaited AI powered iPhone 16 models which promised improvements in its Siri personal assistant as well as enhancing features such as understanding and identifying objects captured by phone camera.