Apple's latest iPhone could copy from Samsung for a change

Phone

The most loyal of Apple fans would accuse Samsung of always copying their favorite company while fans of the latter would make a similar accusation for the Cupertino outfit without skipping a heartbeat. That's largely been the discourse between the fanbases of both brands, even though it's often without merit.

However, there's a new development brewing where the Korean's giants fans can have some fun at the expense of their Apple counterparts. The company appears to be putting together a new iPhone that's copying something from Samsung.

Apple's taking inspiration from Samsung's FE success

The X (Twitter) leak echo chamber is filled with whispers that Apple is developing a new affordable iPhone that it's going to call the iPhone 16E. The naming convention feels quite similar to Samsung's FE or “Fan Edition,” which brings watered down versions of its premium devices that straddle the line between substance and affordability.

This cheaper iPhone would have specs more suitable in its price range but it may also provide the Action Button that's so far been limited on the company's latest flagship iPhones. It would be one way to appease customers who opt for this model that they're not getting a substandard version, rather something that provides them the best of both worlds.

That's the formula that Samsung has perfected with its FE series. It previously launched phones only but now the FE has grown into its own lineup with devices like the Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Buds FE, and Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9+ FE. Samsung's even expected to launch a Galaxy Z Flip FE later this year.

Apple's iPhone SE lineup has been around for a long time so it's not entirely a new idea for the company to cater to a more price conscious segment. Like Samsung, it's now realizing that growth is slowing down in the premium segment, so more value must be derived elsewhere through providing the right mix of functionality and affordability with a device that looks closer to a top-of-the-line phone that a midranger.

Adnan Farooqui - Executive Editor

[email protected]

First Samsung device: SGH-E900

Adnan Farooqui is a long-term writer at SamMobile. Based in Pakistan, his interests include technology, finance, Swiss watches and Formula 1. His tendency to write long posts betrays his inclination to being a man of few words.

Phone Apple Fan Edition

Apple's latest iPhone could copy from Samsung for a change

Apple's taking inspiration from Samsung's FE success

Adnan Farooqui - Executive Editor

[email protected]

First Samsung device: SGH-E900

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