The iPhone 8 is now $449 and the iPhone XR is $599

iPhone 8 Plus (left) versus iPhone XR (right)

Without fanfare, Apple reduced the price on the 2018 iPhone XR. Previously $749, the iPhone XR has been cut $150 to $599. The iPhone XS has been discontinued, in the same manner that the iPhone X was culled after the release of the iPhone XS.

A price cut has also been applied to the two-year old iPhone 8. Prior to Tuesday's event, the iPhone 8 retailed for $599, and now it sells for $449 with the iPhone 8 Plus selling for $549. The iPhone 8 is Apple's last iPhone it sells new to retain Touch ID and a conventional Home button.

While rumors continue to circulate about an "iPhone SE 2," with the most recent resurrection on September 4, the most recent price cuts make that rebirth unlikely at least in the short term. Upon release a half-year after the iPhone 6S, the iPhone SE retailed for $499 — $300 cheaper than the flagship — with the same A9 processor.

Apple's announcements that preceded the pricing move on Tuesday include debut dates for Apple Arcade and Apple TV+, plus a new entry-level iPad, the Apple Watch Series 5, the iPhone 11, and the iPhone 11 Pro family.