Apple Launches First Budget 5G iPhone

On Tuesday, Apple announced some good news for people looking for a more affordable iPhone option. The company’s new iPhone SE (Special Edition) now features 5G, along with other upgrades, for $429 – a $30 upgrade from the previous budget model.

Per CNN, at the company’s inaugural product event this year, an updated 5G-equipped budget phone was a “standout” among additional product disclosures, including an upgraded iPad Air, a new desktop computer, and a new Mac chip. The new iPhone SE is only the third iteration since the 2017 model launch, and comes with Apple’s faster A15 Bionic chip (which also powers the iPhone 13 line), updated cameras, and a longer battery life. The updated SE has a 4.7-inch display (same as the previous model) and is available in three colors: midnight (black), starlight (white), and red.

Apple’s last iPhone SE model was released in April 2020 at the start of the pandemic, as layoffs and lockdowns kept more people at home — and looking for ways to pass the time without breaking the bank. Today, budget phones remain an attractive option for consumers looking to save a little money without sacrificing iPhone’s trademark features.

The company also announced some additional updates. The new iPad Air now features 5G and an improved front camera, and a new Mac chip, the M1 Ultra, debuts, promising more power and efficiency for the new Mac desktop — Mac Studio, a computer without a display, and Studio Display, a 27-inch display with a resolution 5K.

While some consumers may be raising eyebrows at the 5G-induced price hike — which marks the first time the budget option has surpassed $399 — it’s still pretty good by Apple’s standards. According to CNBC, when adjusted for inflation, the new SE model is about $250 cheaper than the company’s original iPhone.