Apple is introducing a new phone, the iPhone 16e, which replaces the iPhone SE series priced at $599, becoming one of the most affordable series.
It has become the brand’s most affordable phone, with last year’s iPhone 15 costing $699. Pre-orders are open now, and the phone will ship on Friday, February 28th.
On Wednesday, Apple unveiled the iPhone 16E on its website, expanding the iPhone 16 lineup. The launch also brought a major refresh to the 2022 iPhone SE, now with a new name, design, processor, and enhanced Apple Intelligence features.
Feature of the iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e marks a significant shift from the iPhone SE (3rd Generation) it replaces. Gone are the home button, boxy design, and smaller size.
At first glance, the 16e closely resembles the standard iPhone 16, though there are a few notable differences.
Like the iPhone 16, the 16e boasts a 6.1-inch display that covers most of the front. It runs on Apple’s latest processor and software, offering all the Apple Intelligence features, and includes Face ID for security, along with a USB-C port for charging.
The 16e actually outperforms the iPhone 16 in battery life, lasting up to 26 hours compared to the iPhone 16’s 22 hours. However, it’s priced $200 less, so there are some sacrifices.
The 16e has a single 48-megapixel rear camera with two-times zoom but lacks the ultra-wide or macro lens options.
It also doesn’t include the camera control button found on other iPhone 16 models.
While the 16e supports wireless charging, it’s not MagSafe compatible, meaning it can’t snap onto MagSafe wireless chargers.
Price comparison
The iPhone 16E is priced at $599 (£599, AU$999), which is a $170 increase from the previous SE’s starting price of $429.
In comparison, the regular iPhone 16 starts at $799. This puts the 16E in the higher end of the affordable phone market, competing with devices like the $499 Google Pixel 8A and Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE, which starts at $650.
In a time when phone manufacturers race to add custom artificial intelligence features to their devices, Apple emphasizes that it doesn’t reserve its AI for premium models.
The A18 chip powers the iPhone 16E (the same as the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus), allowing it to run Apple Intelligence. This makes the iPhone 16E a unique offering—a sub-$600 phone that can access the same AI features as Apple’s more expensive models.
Comparison with iPhone SE
Although both the iPhone 16e and the iPhone SE (3rd Gen) are aimed at users on a tight budget, the 16e offers a number of improvements over the SE.
The 16e, which costs $599, has a more contemporary look with a 6.1-inch screen, Face ID, and the newest A18 CPU, which supports Apple’s state-of-the-art AI capabilities.
It also has a 48-megapixel camera with two-times zoom and an enhanced battery life of up to 26 hours. The iPhone SE, which starts at $429, has a more conventional design with a home button, a smaller 4.7-inch display, and an older A15 CPU.
The SE misses the most recent features and performance capabilities of the 16e, like a more sophisticated camera and USB-C charging, but it still has good performance and the well-known Touch ID.
While the SE is still a great choice for those looking for a more reasonably priced introduction into the iPhone series, the iPhone 16e is more expensive but provides greater value for those looking for a device that is more future-proof.
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