Apple's iPhone 16E: Bringing AI to the Masses with a Budget-Friendly Device

Apple's iPhone 16E Brings Apple Intelligence Features With a Cheaper Price Tag

Until now, Apple Intelligence has been reserved for the cool kids - aka, the people with the latest, most powerful iPhones. Now, the $599 (£599, AU$999) iPhone 16E is here to shake that up. Apple's latest version of its budget phone line invariably cuts corners when it comes to design and camera specs, but it doesn't hold back with AI. Equipped with an A18 chip -- just like the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus -- the more affordable phone can power a suite of Apple Intelligence features including notification summaries, writing tools and a smarter Siri. That means more people will now get to tap into the incessant AI buzz, without breaking the bank. Apple packing this budget-friendly device with its most advanced AI capabilities demonstrates just how serious it is about getting these features into more people's hands. While AI has been used to lure people into upgrading to the latest and greatest (and most expensive) iPhones, Apple has suddenly created a fresh, less steep path for people to see what it's all about. Loading a budget phone with AI is nothing new; Google's Pixel 8A and Samsung's Galaxy S24 FE both pack AI-powered tools, as do various other lower-priced Android phones. But Apple stepping into the ring with its own supercharged, budget-friendly device only helps to expand AI's approachability and attainability. For many people, generative AI can come off as impractical, foreign or simply unnecessary. But if the barrier to entry is lowered, and you don't have to spend around $1,000 on an iPhone to see what all the fuss is about, then there's more of an opportunity for people to see if and how the tech fits into their lives. What makes the iPhone 16E stand apart from its pricier counterparts is its focus on delivering a solid baseline product, without all the frills -- or dollar signs. The inclusion of Apple Intelligence is undoubtedly a signal that from here on out, AI should be seen as a core component of the iPhone, whether you're spending $600 or $1,600. My hope is that this leads to AI feeling more practical and less superfluous as it develops. I'll hate on Genmoji until the day I die, but I doubt someone who simply wants the essential functions of an iPhone also wants to generate a custom emoji of a turtle on a skateboard smoking a pipe (If you do in fact want this, more power to you). Rather, it's those more useful AI functions like the Clean Up tool in Photos or a more conversational and helpful Siri that can really endear people to AI. While iPhone owners resolutely want longer battery life or better cameras over AI, there are some perks in Apple's toolbox that can make good iPhone features even better. And if Apple really is focused on making Apple Intelligence a core functionality of all its devices, it'll now have a wider audience to draw feedback from as it continues to shape those features.

The iPhone 16E Proves Apple Is Desperate for You to Use Its AI

Until now, Apple Intelligence has been reserved for the cool kids - aka, the people with the latest, most powerful iPhones. Now, the $599 iPhone 16E is here to shake that up. Apple's latest version of its budget phone line invariably cuts corners when it comes to design and camera specs, for instance, but it doesn't hold back with AI. Equipped with an A18 chip - just like the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus - the more affordable phone can power a suite of Apple Intelligence features like notification summaries, writing tools and a smarter Siri. Meaning now, more people will get to tap into the incessant AI buzz, without breaking the bank. Apple packing this budget-friendly device with its most advanced AI capabilities demonstrates just how serious it is about getting these features into more people's hands. While AI has been used to lure people into upgrading to the latest and greatest (and most expensive) iPhones, Apple has suddenly created a fresh, less steep path for people to see what it's all about. Loading a budget phone with AI is nothing new; Google's Pixel 8A and Samsung's Galaxy S24 FE both pack AI-powered tools, as do various other lower-priced Android phones. But Apple stepping into the ring with its own supercharged, budget-friendly device only helps to expand AI's approachability and attainability. For many people, generative AI can come off as impractical or foreign - or simply unnecessary. But if the barrier to entry is lowered, and you don't have to spend around $1,000 on an iPhone to see what all the fuss is about, then there's more of an opportunity for people to see if and how the tech fits into their lives. Making AI more practical What makes the iPhone 16E stand apart from its pricier counterparts is its focus on delivering a solid baseline product, without all the frills - or dollar signs. The inclusion of Apple Intelligence is undoubtedly a signal that from here on out, AI should be seen as a core component of the iPhone, whether you're spending $600 or $1,600. My hope is that this leads to AI feeling more practical and less superfluous as it develops. I'll hate on Genmoji until the day I die, but I doubt someone who simply wants the essential functions of an iPhone also cares about the ability to generate a custom emoji of a turtle on a skateboard smoking a pipe (If you do in fact want this, more power to you). Rather, it's those more useful AI functions like the Clean Up tool in Photos or a more conversational and helpful Siri that can really endear people to AI. While iPhone owners resolutely want longer battery life or better cameras over AI, there are some perks in Apple's toolbox that can make good iPhone features even better. And if Apple really is focused on making Apple Intelligence a core functionality of all its devices, it'll now have a wider audience to draw feedback from as it continues to shape those features.

Apple Intelligence on iPhone is now $200 cheaper -- with just two small trade-offs - 9to5Mac

Want a new iPhone with Apple Intelligence? Before today, that would set you back about $800. After Apple's latest iPhone announcement, however, the cost to access Apple Intelligence on iPhone is 25% less. There are just two very minor caveats. Apple Intelligence is a suite of various features powered by artificial intelligence. Apple provides its AI tools with privacy in mind, using a stateless server system called Private Cloud Compute. This privacy-centric approach is unlike other modern AI systems that retain data on the server and use it for training models. Top Apple Intelligence features include Writing Tools for improving or changing your writing style, Clean Up for removing unwanted subjects from photos, and Genmoji for creating custom emoji characters based on your description. Visual Intelligence is another component of Apple Intelligence. Most of Apple Intelligence is available on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac for now. So far, Visual Intelligence has been exclusive to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro -- with no support on iPhone 15 Pro or iPad, where Apple Intelligence is also available. That's mostly because of marketing and product differentiation. iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro have a new button called Camera Control. Pressing and holding the Camera Control is how you activate Visual Intelligence. Once invoked, Visual Intelligence lets you use your rear-facing camera to aim at an object to reference in a ChatGPT query or Google visual search. More recently, Apple added the ability to add events to your calendar based on things like concert posters and board messages. That's where the first minor caveat for Apple Intelligence on the new iPhone 16e arises. iPhone 16e has no Camera Control like the other iPhone 16 models, but Apple still supports the Visual Intelligence feature. The easiest way to invoke Visual Intelligence on iPhone 16e is to assign it to the Action button. The downside, however, is that doing this pretty much rules out using the Action button for anything else, like launching the Camera or muting your iPhone. Fortunately, there's another way to access Visual Intelligence on iPhone 16e without using the Action button, but it requires a few more steps. Rather than squeezing a physical button, Visual Intelligence can also be invoked through Control Center. For now, iPhone 16e is the only product with Visual Intelligence in Control Center. Maybe we'll see this come to the iPad in the future. I wouldn't wait around for Visual Intelligence to come to the iPhone 15 Pro. Visual Intelligence aside, there's one more extremely minor difference between Apple Intelligence on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Pro compared to iPhone 16e. Before today, each iPhone with Apple Intelligence featured the Dynamic Island, Apple's adaptive interface around the camera sensor near the top of the display. iPhone 16e features the less modern notch design. For that reason, the Apple Intelligence feature for Siri that Apple calls Glowing Edge Light appears a little differently on iPhone 16e than other Apple Intelligence iPhones. Instead of creating a uniform rainbow glow effect around the perimeter of the iPhone's display, the Glowing Edge Light wraps around the notch on the iPhone 16e. Functionally, the Glowing Edge Light has no practical utility other than signaling that your iPhone is using the Apple Intelligence version of Siri rather than classic Siri. How the Glowing Edge Light appears is even more trivial unless you care about perfect symmetry -- in which case you'll need to hand over another 200 to 400 dollars. Aside from these two minor differences, Apple Intelligence should work exactly the same on iPhone regardless of which model you buy.

iPhone 16e Apple Intelligence features -- here's everything that's included

Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e today, a compelling addition to its iPhone 16 lineup at a more accessible price of $599. With a design that's not all that different from its higher-priced counterparts, the device features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display and edge-to-edge screen. At the heart of the iPhone 16e lies Apple's new A18 chip, known for fast and smooth performance. This powerful chip features a 16-core Neural Engine capable of 35 trillion operations per second, ensuring efficient handling of AI tasks. The iPhone 16e includes the entire feature suite of Apple Intelligence, including Writing Tools, Image Playground and Genmoji, email summaries, and enhanced Siri functionality -- including ChatGPT integration. The Writing Tools feature of Apple Intelligence enables users to allow AI to proofread, rewrite, and adjust the tone of their text to be more friendly, concise, or professional. The AI tool can also generate summaries, key points, tables and lists from existing content. The integration of OpenAI's ChatGPT further enhances these capabilities for detailed explanations and content generation within email and notes. Image Playground utilizes AI to generate images based on user-provided descriptions. Users can customize styles, such as Animation and Sketch, to create visuals that align with their vision. Additionally, Genmoji allows for the creation of personalized emojis by typing descriptions or selecting individuals from photos, enabling a unique and expressive way to enhance messaging. Siri has undergone a significant transformation with Apple Intelligence. The virtual assistant now features improved natural language processing, offering more accurate and contextually relevant responses. Users can interact with Siri via text by double-tapping the home bar on iOS devices or double-clicking the command key on macOS. The integration of ChatGPT enables Siri to handle complex queries, providing detailed and informative answers. Users can get AI-generated mail and text summaries, offering concise previews of content to help users prioritize their communications effectively. Notifications are also streamlined, with Apple Intelligence summarizing messages from various apps, reducing information overload and allowing users to focus on essential alerts. The iPhone 16e has a 48MP Fusion Camera that includes automatic scene recognition and real-time adjustments to optimize photo quality. Visual Intelligence leverages Apple's AI capabilities to provide real-time information about objects and places through the device's camera. Users can access Visual Intelligence via the customizable Action Button or through the Control Center. This functionality allows the iPhone 16e to summarize and copy text, translate languages, detect contact information, and identify animals or plants. Additionally, it enables users to search online for products they encounter or utilize ChatGPT for problem-solving assistance. The Photos app incorporates AI to enhance user interaction with media. Users can create custom memory movies by describing a desired theme, with Apple Intelligence selecting appropriate photos, videos, and music to craft a cohesive narrative. The Clean Up tool allows for the removal of unwanted elements from images. Notably, while previous iPhone 16 models required a dedicated Camera Control button to activate Visual Intelligence, the iPhone 16e offers this feature without it. Apple emphasizes user privacy in the deployment of Apple Intelligence. Many AI processes are conducted on-device, ensuring that personal data remains secure and inaccessible to external entities, including Apple itself. When cloud processing is necessary, users are prompted for consent, and data is handled with strict privacy safeguards. With a design reminiscent of the iPhone 14, the iPhone 16e provides advanced AI features and a modern aesthetic while catering to budget-conscious consumers. Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e commence on February 21, 2025, with official availability starting February 28 in 59 countries. This strategic rollout ensures that a wide range of users across different regions can access the device promptly.

Apple iPhone 16e: Firm gambles on AI features at lower cost

"Apple's trust and credibility is critical - this alone will help drive sales and lure users from rival devices and platforms." Much of the conversation around the new handset will likely centre around its power, with Apple electing to use the same A18 chip behind its more expensive devices. This means the 16e will be capable of playing the same games and running the same apps as other iPhones - though AI is likely at the heart of this decision. Apple boss Tim Cook said in the announcement the new model featured "the performance, intelligence and privacy" Apple fans "expect" from the firm. And he said the Apple Intelligence features on the device would "help you save time, quickly get more things done, and express yourself in new ways". The firm introduced its spin on the tech - Apple Intelligence - with this series of devices, which includes new tools for writing and incorporating OpenAI's chatbot ChatGPT into Siri. It hasn't always gone well, with the firm at one point suspending its AI-generated news alerts after they created false headlines attributed to news organisations including the BBC. It now presents the summaries in italics. Apple said its new phone is "built for Apple Intelligence", and pointed to certain features of the tech, like an easy way to clean up photos or search your image library. Other phone manufacturers have similar features on their devices - though the iPhone 16e will be by far the cheapest way to access AI on an Apple handset. "The iPhone 16e generates a new revenue stream for Apple, and this will be particularly noticeable in key markets like India, where iPhones are out of reach for most people," said Forrester principal analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee. "There is also a second-order effect of cheaper devices like the iPhone 16e, bringing new customers into the Apple ecosystem. "We've seen a limited appetite among many of the installed base to upgrade from previous versions, but the new phone reduces the cost hurdle of joining the Apple Intelligence bandwagon."

iPhone 16e: Buy it only for Apple Intelligence, here's why

Apple has finally brought its AI game to a broader audience! The introduction of Apple Intelligence was a clear signal that the Cupertino giant is now fully embracing artificial intelligence, integrating it into the iPhone experience in a way that feels inherently Apple. Here's the catch though, which has been troubling consumers for some time - only select models get to taste this intelligence-driven future . However, with the arrival of the iPhone 16e, things get interesting. The iPhone 16e is Apple's play for the price-conscious consumer, offering a mix of modern performance and Apple Intelligence at a relatively lower cost. However, before you rush to get one, let's break down whether Apple Intelligence truly makes this phone a must-buy and whether the iPhone 16e is Apple's new magic bullet. Apple's history with restricting features to specific models is nothing new. We've seen it with ProMotion displays, Dynamic Island, and now, Apple Intelligence. While the new AI-powered features are designed to be deeply integrated into iOS 18, Apple has made sure only newer models benefit from them, including the iPhone 16e. Now, the iPhone 16e is an interesting case. Unlike its predecessor, which carried the SE branding, Apple has positioned the 16e as an entry-level device in the main lineup. It gets the latest A18 chip - the same one that powers the flagship iPhone 16 - bringing impressive efficiency and performance. But here's the kicker -- Apple Intelligence is its biggest selling point. Also Read - Apple Intelligence will not sell iPhones in India: Here's why Apple Intelligence, Apple's take on Gen AI, is designed to handle a variety of everyday tasks intelligently. From personalized text generation and summarization to on-device Siri enhancements and smart photo editing, it's meant to be an indispensable tool for iPhone users. For the iPhone 16e, this means users can experience: At its price point, the 16e makes Apple Intelligence accessible to a larger audience. That's a significant shift, considering AI-driven features were previously limited to the Pro models. The iPhone 16e is powered by the A18 chip, ensuring it keeps up with Apple's flagship performance standards. It also brings up to 26 hours of battery life, making it the most power-efficient 6.1-inch iPhone to date. That's six hours more than the iPhone 11 and a massive 12-hour jump over the iPhone SE series. But what makes the 16e truly stand out is Apple's new in-house cellular modem. This marks the first time Apple is moving away from Qualcomm's 5G modems in favor of its own solution, which is expected to improve efficiency and reduce dependency on third-party suppliers. If Apple can deliver consistently good 5G performance, this could be a game-changer. While the iPhone 16e sounds like a fantastic deal on paper, Apple had to cut some corners to keep the price in check. Here are a few things you should keep in mind: These trade-offs might not be deal-breakers, but they do raise the question - should you go for the iPhone 16e just because of Apple Intelligence? Apple's biggest challenge isn't just making Apple Intelligence good - it's making it indispensable. The problem? Android has already been ahead in this race. Samsung's Galaxy AI and Google's AI-powered Pixel devices are already offering deep AI integrations across their lineup, often without restricting features to specific models. The iQOO Z9X, for instance, provides AI features for a fraction of the cos. If you're just looking for an AI-powered smartphone experience, Apple still has some catching up to do in terms of accessibility. The iPhone 16e makes the most sense for: Apple Intelligence is undoubtedly the iPhone 16e's biggest selling point. It brings advanced AI capabilities to a wider audience while keeping the pricing competitive. However, some compromises, like the lack of a dual-camera setup and Dynamic Island, might make potential buyers reconsider. So, should you buy it right away? If you're an AI enthusiast who has been wanting to get their hands on Apple Intelligence without breaking the bank, the iPhone 16e is your best bet. But if you're looking for a well-rounded flagship experience, the regular iPhone 16 or Pro models might be worth considering instead. Ultimately, Apple Intelligence is here to stay. The real question is - will Apple decide to expand it to older models? Until then, the iPhone 16e remains the most affordable ticket to Apple's AI-powered future.

Apple Launches iPhone 16e with Powerful AI and Pro-Grade Camera

Users can also explore creative new ways to express themselves visually with Image Playground, create the perfect emoji with Genmoji, and make their writing even more dynamic with Writing Tools. They can now type to Siri, and Siri is more conversational with the ability to follow along if users stumble over their words. Siri can also maintain context from one request to the next. With extensive product knowledge, Siri can answer thousands of questions about the features and settings of Apple products, so users can learn how to do things like take a screen recording or schedule a text message to send later. With access to ChatGPT seamlessly integrated into Writing Tools and Siri, users can choose to access ChatGPT's expertise without jumping between applications, so they can get things done faster and easier than ever before. In addition, users can access ChatGPT for free without creating an account, and privacy protections are built in -- their IP addresses are obscured and OpenAI won't store requests. Users can choose whether to enable ChatGPT integration, and are in full control of when to use it and what information is shared with ChatGPT. Apple Intelligence marks an extraordinary step forward for privacy in AI and is designed to protect users' privacy at every step. It starts with on-device processing, meaning that many of the models that power Apple Inteligence run entirely on device. For requests that require access to larger models, Apple's groundbreaking Private Cloud Compute extends the privacy and security of iPhone into the cloud to unlock even more intelligence. When using Private Cloud Compute, users' data is never stored or shared with Apple; it is used only to fulfill their request.