Apple launches new iPhone with smaller screen, lower price

Apple Inc. unveiled Monday its new iPhone SE, smaller than the last generation of the iPhone 6 but just as powerful and much less expensive.

This is the “most powerful 4inch phone ever,” said Apple vice president Greg Joswiak at the presentation Monday at company headquarters in Cupertino.

The executive noted that the device has the same functions as the iPhone 6 launched in 2014 and is equipped with a 64bit A9 processor and a 12megapixel iSight camera...but is considerably less expensive, starting at $399 for the simplest models.

He also announced Monday an update for the iPhone and iPad operating systems the iOS 9.3 which is available immediately.

The last generation of iPhones, the iPhone 6, has 4.7 and 5.5inch screens.

The new phone, which goes on sale in the United States next Thursday and in another 100 countries in May, is a renovated version of the iPhone 5 launched in 2012 but with the power boost of an iPhone 6.

Apple had recordsetting U.S. corporation profits in the United States following the launch of telephones with the largest screens in 2014, but now faces sagging sales for the first time since the iPhone debuted in 2007.

Apple announced in January that iPhone sales, which represent around twothirds of its revenues, had the most significant slowdown in its history during the last quarter of 2015, with 74.77 million units sold.

The company also launched Monday the smaller, lighter iPad Pro tablet, with a 9.7inch screen.