With the launch of the iPhone 16e on February 21, we can now say goodbye to the iPhone SE series. Starting at $599, some product reviewers argue that it is still too expensive for the cheapest iPhone.

For now, the only Apple product that still carries the "SE" naming convention is the Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), which was launched on September 16, 2022, starting at $249.

Will Apple Keep the "SE" Naming for Apple Watch?

To answer this question, we first need to consider why Apple discontinued the iPhone SE naming convention. If we analyze the historical price differences between the iPhone SE and flagship iPhones, we may gain some insight.

Note: I compared the iPhones price with two standards. 1. The cheapest base model price 2. Storage equivalent price for the 3rd generation SE phone as its storage starts at 64GB and differs from the flagship iPhone 13 128GB starting point.

iPhone SE vs iPhone 6s

$399 vs $649 (38.52% cheaper compared using base models)

iPhone SE (2nd generation) vs iPhone 11

Base model comparison:$399 vs $699 (42.92% cheaper)

iPhone SE (3rd generation) vs iPhone 13

Base model comparison: $429 vs $799 (46.31% cheaper)

Storage equivalent comparison: $479 vs $799 (40.05% cheaper)

iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16

$599 vs $ $799(25.03% cheaper)

Over time, Apple has narrowed the price gap between entry-level models and standard iPhones. This shift suggests that Apple sees little impact on budget iPhone sales despite the higher price, especially with the iPhone 16e offering longer battery life and an upgrade from Touch ID to Face ID.

Will Apple Watch Follow the Same Trend?

If we compare the current pricing of the Apple Watch SE (starting at $249) and the Apple Watch Series 10 (starting at $399), there is a 37.6% price difference. Apple may eventually reduce this gap, similar to what they did with the iPhone 16e.

If Apple follows this strategy, they might rename the budget Apple Watch to Apple Watch 11e instead of continuing with the SE branding. However, several factors still need to be considered before making this prediction.

How Many "SE" Models Have Existed?

So far, Apple has released:

• Three generations of iPhone SE
• Two generations of Apple Watch SE

Will Apple continue the SE naming for one more Apple Watch generation, or will they align it with the iPhone series and introduce an Apple Watch 11e instead?

How Important Is the Apple Watch Compared to the iPhone?

Apple's decision to increase the budget iPhone price may be based on confidence that existing iPhone users—such as those still using an iPhone 7—will upgrade to the new model. Additionally, Apple may be trying to attract Android users to switch to an iPhone.

However, the Apple Watch market is different. While many iPhone users don’t own an Apple Watch, most Apple Watch users already own an iPhone. This means the demand for an Apple Watch is lower than that of an iPhone.

With this in mind, if Apple raises the price of the entry-level Apple Watch, will customers still consider buying it?

Who Is the Apple Watch SE Really For?

According to the Apple Event 2022, most Apple Watch SE users purchase it as their first Apple Watch. Apple also markets it as a kid-friendly device, allowing parents to stay connected with their children without requiring them to carry an iPhone.

While there is no official data on how many children use an Apple Watch SE, personal experience suggests that a significant portion of users are kids. If this is true, a price increase for the next budget Apple Watch could discourage parents from purchasing it.

I personally believe that if the next budget Apple Watch becomes too expensive, sales will decline. This is because the current SE model already meets the basic needs of users, and most existing SE watches are still functioning well.

Apple mentioned the funtionality for pairing watches for children when introducing Apple Watch SE2 in Apple Event

The Final Prediction

With all the factors mentioned above, I predict that the next budget Apple Watch will still be called Apple Watch SE for the following reasons:

• Apple Watch SE is still relatively new – With only two generations released, Apple may continue this naming for at least one more model.
• Apple Watch demand is different from iPhones – Since not all iPhone users own an Apple Watch, increasing the price of the budget model could hurt sales.
• Target audience considerations – Many first-time buyers and parents purchasing for their children rely on a more affordable Apple Watch, and a price increase could deter them.

Of course, I could be wrong—but this is my prediction. If you enjoyed my article, follow me on X (formerly Twitter) for more insights! 🚀