Apple's iPhone 16e: A Budget-Friendly Gateway to AI and the Apple Ecosystem

Apple iPhone 16e review: An A18 chip and Apple Intelligence for $599 | TechCrunch

Apple delivered its latest budget handset, the $599 iPhone 16e, without pomp. There was no big event in person, nor was there one online. No journalists scrambled through hoards of colleagues to snap photos of the phone. Instead, CEO Tim Cook tweeted out that new hardware was on the way, days before Apple announced the handset via a press release. Accordingly, the 16e isn't an exciting device. It's a safe one. It's an amalgam of earlier iPhones, in a bid to create a product that's reliable, while keeping costs down. The handset most closely resembles the iPhone 13 and 14, both in dimensions and the inclusion of the display notch up top. The iPhone 15's Action button is here, but the 16's Camera Control is absent. From an innovation standpoint, the iPhone 16e's most exciting element would have to be its custom C1 modem. That's not a sentiment you hear too often. Modems are decidedly unsexy. Most consumers only ever acknowledge their existence when theirs goes on the fritz. But it's not the technology that makes the component interesting. It's the fact that this is the first time Apple has made one. While the 16e borrows liberally from earlier Apple handsets, there are elements of the company's latest flagship that help justify Apple's new naming scheme. The strongest argument in favor of ditching the familiar iPhone SE branding is the inclusion of another component: the A18. That's the same processor found on the regular iPhone 16. This is important for a couple of reasons. The first is that the 16e is $200 cheaper than the iPhone 16, which was, up to now, the cheapest way to get the chip. The second and more important is future-proofing. Apple will continue supporting the chip longer than it will the iPhone 15's A16 chip. Beyond bug fixes and security updates, future-proofing also includes Apple Intelligence, the nascent generative AI platform the company is banking on as the future of iPhone. Before last week, the existing iPhone 16 line and the most expensive iPhone 15 models were the only iOS devices capable of running the feature. Don't get things tangled, though. The star of this show isn't a particular piece of silicon. It's the price. Pricing, after all, is why analysts have pointed the iPhone 16e's potential to help Apple make up for lost ground in key markets like China and India. In the grand scheme of things, a $200 price drop from the entry-level iPhone isn't huge, but every bit counts, particularly in developing markets where true flagships can struggle. But dropping the price point doesn't automatically translate to a deluge of new iPhone users. Apple faces extremely stiff competition from domestic manufacturers in China -- a phenomenon that's only likely to worsen as trade tensions increase. There are other complicated factors in markets like India, where both the iPhone 14 and 15 will be around to purchase through retail channels for a while. The iPhone 14's discontinuation makes finding a new one far more difficult here in the U.S., but the iPhone 15 is still officially available here, starting at $699. Elements like these obscure the 16e's position in the current iPhone lineup. A $100 price difference between it and the 15 isn't insignificant, but it's nowhere near the price gulf some Android manufacturers put between their mid-tier and flagship devices. Serviceable, cheap Android devices have never been in short demand. The iPhone 16e isn't a budget device, per se, because Apple doesn't make budget devices. Further blurring the lines is the fact that the 16e's iPhone 14-inspired design doesn't feel like throwback in the way the last SE did when it was launched in 2022. While the 16e still sports the display notch rather than the Dynamic Island (introduced on the 14 Pro), the overall design of the line hasn't radically changed over the last couple of years. For this reason, the 16e feels like a "modern" iPhone in a way the last SE didn't. That's a benefit for most potential buyers, but there will undoubtedly be those who will mourn the end of Touch ID in favor of Face ID. The 16e's arrival also heralds the end of the "small" iPhone. Some will miss the more compact, 4.7-inch display found on the last SE. The 16e's arrival means that you can no longer purchase an iPhone with a screen under 6 inches. The iPhone 15, iPhone 16e, and iPhone 16 all sport a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display. The screens are largely the same, but there are a few key differences. The 16e has a notch in the place of the Dynamic Island and tops out at 1,200 nits of brightness compared to the maximum 2,000 nits on the other models. The three handsets share nearly identical footprints and weights. All three sport a USB-C port (by law), though the 16e doesn't feature the MagSafe connector on the rear. The handset does charging through the Qi standard, though its speeds top out at 7.5 watts, to the 15's 15 watts and the 16's 25 watts. The 16e sports the longest stated battery life of the three phones, at 26 hours to the 16's 22 hours and the 15's 20 hours. The new C1 modem played an important part in the 16e extended battery life, being both less power hunger than older silicon and smaller in a way that allowed the company to free up space for a larger battery than the iPhone 16. Both the iPhone 16 and 16e sport the latest A18 chip with a six-core CPU and 16-core neural engine. The 16e takes a bit of a hit on the graphics processing side with a four-core GPU to the 16's five cores. All three phones start at 128GB of storage, upgradable to both 256GB or 512GB. The 16 and 16e, meanwhile, sport 8GB of RAM to the 15's 6GB. That little extra boost of RAM should help with some of that on-device Apple Intelligence processing. Apple Intelligence currently features text rewrite, summaries, and generative imagery, created through Image Playground. Is the ability to run Apple's answer to Google Gemini enough reason to opt for the 16e over the less intelligent iPhone 15? The platform's usefulness will, of course, vary dramatically between individuals in its current form. But these are very much early days. Apple is committed to its generative AI offering, and it's set to be the centerpiece of updates for years to come. I can't promise any life-changing features on the horizon, but it's entirely possible you'll kick yourself in a year or two for deprioritizing the technology. Visual Intelligence -- Apple's answer to Google Lens -- is also available on the 16e, though the absence of the Camera Control feature means you'll have to access it by means of the Action Button. More notable than the absence of Camera Control, however, is the presence of a single camera on the rear of the iPhone 16e. Apple glossed over this fact during the announcement, instead highlighting what it calls a "2-in-1" camera system. Through the magic of computational photography, the iPhone 16e is a single-camera smartphone that "feels" like a two-camera system. This boils down to the 48-megapixel sensor with "integrated telephoto," which means the image will give you a closer, 12-megapixel version of the image, without majorly sacrificing image quality for zoom. You will inevitably lose versatility moving from two image sensors to one, even if said image sensor utilizes fancy fusion technology. For some users, this alone is enough to justify the added $100 to $200 to get the iPhone 15 or 16 instead. That said, the 16e is capable of getting some nice shots for a single-sensor handset and certainly marks a big leap over the last iPhone SE. Every time the price drops by $100, you're sacrificing something. That's how profit margins work. Choosing the best "entry-level" iPhone in the current lineup is less straightforward than it might have been in the past. It comes down to what features you need and what you're willing to do without. The 16e is an exercise in feature prioritization. If you need the latest everything, eat the extra $200 and get the regular iPhone 16. If Apple Intelligence isn't a priority, the iPhone 15 has you covered. In the end, there's surprisingly little daylight between the iPhone 16 and 16e. It prioritizes Apple Intelligence through the inclusion of the A18 and 8GB of RAM. The handset makes sacrifices in the name of affordability, like MagSafe, Dynamic Island, Camera Control, and the dual-camera system. If you can live without all those, by all means, save yourself the $200.

iPhone 16e: 5 reasons to buy and 3 reasons to skip

The iPhone 16e is official, so you might be wondering if this new budget iPhone is for you or if you should skip it. We're here to help, because the iPhone 16e isn't really the iPhone SE (2022) successor we were expecting. In fact, it's more like a slightly cheaper version of the iPhone 16 than a bonafide iPhone SE 4. Here's what we like about the iPhone 16e so far, and a few things that might make us hesitate before we pick up one of these phones for ourselves. And stay tuned for our full iPhone 16e review. Apple's cheapest iPhone has finally adopted the full screen, ditching the aged iPhone 8 design in favor of an iPhone 14-inspired look -- complete with a 6.1-inch OLED display. Not only does this mean thinner bezels and a screen that stretches the full front of the phone, it also means the iPhone 16e has ditched the Touch ID home button in favor of Face ID. There is a notch at the top, but you get a lot more in return. The phone looks a heck of a lot better, on account of there not being a bunch of dead space around the screen. Similarly you've now got a flat-edged design that matches iPhone flagships, and should feel a lot more comfortable in your hand. Plus, the added screen space lets you see and do more, without much of a growth spurt. But unlike the iPhone 14, the charging port is USB-C. So you can leave those Lightning cables behind for good. While the iPhone 16e only packs a single rear camera lens, the camera has had quite the upgrade compared to iPhone SE 3. This time Apple's offering a 48MP rear camera, which is a significant resolution jump from the 12MP lens on the last model. But this isn't just a 48MP lens, it's the same Fusion camera Apple offered on the iPhone 16. That means you can take high resolution images, or take advantage of Apple's 2x Telephoto feature which offers "optical quality" zoom at 2x magnification. The rear camera also offers 4K video recordings at up to 60fps, Spatial Audio recording, and TrueDepth autofocus on the front camera. Similarly the front-facing selfie camera has jumped from 7MP up to 12MP -- with both lenses offering the same resolution as the iPhone 16. There's no telling just how good the iPhone 16e's camera will be compared to the other iPhones on sale. Stay tuned for test results. Apple's really pushing Apple Intelligence, but previously the price of entry has been pretty high. But now that the iPhone 16e is confirmed to have Apple Intelligence support as well, it means that accessing Apple's AI suite is now easier and slightly cheaper than before on account of the iPhone 16e's $599 price tag. That means you get access to helpful and fun AI features like Writing Tools, Photo Cleanup, Genmoji and Audio Mix for videos. You'll also benefit from the smarter, more conversational Siri. The major surprise is that the iPhone 16e will also feature all the same AI features as the rest of the iPhone 16 series -- including Visual Intelligence. That means iPhone 16e users can use the AI Vision mode. One of the biggest surprises of the iPhone 16e announcement was the addition of the Action button. First introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, the Action button is a programmable button that can be used to activate a specific feature instantly. It's the replacement for the old physical mute switch, but offers so much more than silencing your phone. All the usual shortcuts are available with iPhone 16e's action button, including the flashlight, recording voice memos, activating Shazam, translating foreign languages and more. But the really exciting thing is that Visual Intelligence has also been added to the list. This means users can use the Action button to open Apple's AI Vision mode and use a combination of Apple Intelligence and ChatGPT to learn more about the world around them. Like iPhone 14 and later phones, the iPhone 16e also offers satellite connectivity, for all those times you find yourself in a spot with no cell signal. All the satellite features you'd find on other iPhones are now available on iPhone 16e, including the all-important Emergency SOS via satellite, which can get you in touch with emergency services should the need arise. Other satellite features include Messages via satellite, which offers an iMessage-like experience for non-emergency situations, Roadside Assistance via satellite and Find My via satellite. That last one lets your phone be tracked if you're outside normal cell and Wi-Fi range. Like other iPhones this service is free for the first two years of use. While it had been rumored that the iPhone 16e would come with a price tag under $500, this isn't the case. Instead the phone starts at $599, which is the same price as the now discontinued iPhone 14 and $170 more than the iPhone SE 3. Needless to say this is not something we'd consider for our best cheap phones page. The iPhone 16e is much too expensive for that, even if it does offer a lot of premium features for a lower price than the standard iPhone 16. On top of that, the price difference between the 16 and 16E is now much smaller. That gap is still $200 between the 128GB models, and it's debatable whether that's worth it. But that still doesn't change the fact an argument could be made for spending more. The iPhone 16E does have Qi wireless charging, just like older iPhone SE models. But it doesn't come with MagSafe, the magnetic wireless charging technology first introduced on iPhone 12 back in 2020. Naturally, that means iPhone 16e owners won't be able to use the myriad of MagSafe accessories on sale, like phone stands or tripods. The iPhone 16e wireless charging speeds is pretty slow, too. The original MagSafe offered up to 15W wireless charging speeds, while the iPhone 16's improved MagSafe bumps that figure to 25W. Unfortunately, the iPhone 16e is limited to just 7.5W. The iPhone 16e is the first device to come with Apple's C1 modem, rather than the usual Qualcomm-made options. It's something Apple has reportedly been working on for years. Unfortunately, while Apple says this is the most power efficient modem in an iPhone yet, it doesn't support mmWave 5G. The 5G spectrum is split into two sections: sub-6GHz 5G and mmWave. mmWave offers the best speeds and lowest latency, offering a better 5G experience in areas with mmWave signals. But only if your phone supports it, and the iPhone 16e doesn't. The iPhone 16e is a weird mix of old and new, and while it's a significant step up from the iPhone SE 3 we still have to contend with the fact the price is significantly higher than we were expecting. So if you want an iPhone 16-style experience for a slightly lower price, then this is certainly a phone to consider. But those of you that have been hoping for a brand new cheap iPhone may think twice about the iPhone 16e given some of the trade-offs.

iPhone 16e review: I used Apple's newest phone for a week. Here's how it compares.

Apple has announced the iPhone 16e, a more affordable model featuring AI capabilities and the same A18 chip as the flagship iPhone 16. Apple's new iPhone 16e arrived on my doorstep at a critical time in our personal tech world. Prices are higher, consumer demand is lower, and all the "incremental improvements" companies are pushing to get us to dole out the equivalent of a mortgage payment for the next new thing are, well, quite frankly boring. Especially compared to all the novel breakthroughs of just a few years ago. That's what I'm thinking about when I unbox Apple's latest new smartphone, the lower-priced "entry" level iPhone 16e. I've had it for a full week now, and overall, it's a genuinely snazzy successor to the 3rd generation iPhone SE that Apple launched in March of 2022. Going from the SE to the 16e is a big step up in all the ways that matter the most: At first glance, it's hard to tell much of a difference between the 16e and the rest of the iPhone 16 family of phones. Gone is the ancient home button of the SE, replaced by Face ID and a 6.1-inch OLED display that brings Apple's entry-level phone into the modern age. The A18 chip inside has the same horsepower as its pricier iPhone 16 sibling, but Apple had to cut a few corners to get there - no MagSafe, no ultra-wide camera, and just two color options - hope you like black or white! So, is the 16e a good deal, or should you buy an iPhone 16? After spending the last week using it, here's what I've found. Since when is $600 considered a 'budget' phone? At a starting price of $599 (can we just say $600 already?!), this is not a "budget" phone. It's $170 more than the one it replaces. That's led some insiders to speculate that Apple's done trying to offer an "affordable" phone and will now focus on a slightly downscaled model of its current flagship lineup instead. The 16e is $200 less than the lowest price 16, but it used to be a $400 difference. It begs the question: If you're already paying $600 for a phone, why not pay the additional $200 - especially if that comes down to $8 on a two-year installment plan - and get the whole enchilada? The 16e is a good enough phone, but is it good enough value? It's not MagSafe compatible The 16e does not support MagSafe accessories. I didn't realize how big of a bummer this would be until I watched it slide off the dashboard holder in my car. You can still charge it wirelessly, but only with the older, slower Qi way of doing things, and it's noticeably slower to charge up than my iPhone 16 Pro. Just remember, it won't stick to anything without the help of a third-party MagSafe case like the ESR for iPhone 16e case ($12.57) on Amazon or another attachment like PopSocket's Adaptor Rings ($35+). There's only one camera The new camera specs on the 16e are significantly better than those on the last SE, but there's still just one lens peeping out the back of the device. Apple calls the upgraded 48-megapixel camera a "2-in-1 Fusion Camera." That's fancy branding for how the phone uses one high-resolution sensor to simulate multiple focal lengths. Still, it's not a complete replacement for the triple-camera systems found on the iPhone 16 Pro models. The 16e's primary 48MP sensor captures high-quality standard shots, but the selfies aren't as good as the ones I shoot on my 16 Pro. Also, instead of a dedicated telephoto lens, the camera digitally crops into the 48MP sensor to create an optical-quality 2x zoom, effectively giving you a second focal length without adding a physical lens. In other words, Apple uses high-resolution sensor cropping to simulate a telephoto lens while maintaining detail, which is a smart way to offer zoom without adding extra hardware. But can one camera work the same iPhonography-magic as the higher-end models? No. Not without the ultra-wide lens and a dedicated telephoto zoom lens beyond 2x, which you get on the Pro models. If you mostly shoot at 1x or 2x, the 16e's camera will feel just as capable. But for true photography enthusiasts, the extra lenses on the Pro models make a giant difference. Is the 16e the right new phone for you? OK, back to the pros: The iPhone 16e bridges the gap between the classic simplicity of the iPhone SE and the modern aesthetic and performance of the flagship iPhone 16 models. Its updated design offers a smooth transition into today's smartphone standards and Apple's ecosystem without a giant learning curve or an even bigger budget-blowing price tag. The aluminum build feels sturdy, and while the black-and-white color options won't win any awards for creativity, they signal Apple's focus on simplicity and durability. The switch to USB-C charging brings the device in line with Apple's latest models, a welcome change for anyone tired of juggling different cables. The 16e also doesn't skimp on speed. Apps launch quickly; multitasking feels seamless, and even intensive games run smoothly. Battery life is another bright spot. Apple claims up to 26 hours of video playback. I haven't put it to that specific test, but if you're upgrading from an SE, it feels like you get weeks more battery life than previous models. You don't. While it's a massive improvement, I still get down to about 30% by about 2:00 in the afternoon. Admittedly, I'm much harder on my phones than the average person, but still, I cannot imagine this little gadget staying awake as long - or working as hard - as I do. (Smart Data mode helps extend that life by automatically switching to LTE when 5G isn't necessary.) AI and Apple Intelligence: Worth the hype? The iPhone 16e supports Apple Intelligence, the company's AI-driven software suite designed to make the iPhone more intuitive. Features like Visual Look Up, which lets you identify objects through the camera, are genuinely helpful, not just gimmicks. However, it's worth noting that this software is still evolving, and so is most people's general understanding of how to use it to make life easier (I'm looking at you, Mom). Siri is just as hit-or-miss on the SE as it is on my 16 Pro, which means it does what I want it to do about half the time. I'm still hoping for better performance on all the models. Why the iPhone 16e matters Apple's decision to phase out the iPhone SE and replace it with the 16e reflects broader changes in consumer expectations. The market for small, low-cost smartphones is shrinking, and users now demand more from their devices - bigger screens, better cameras, and faster performance. The 16e delivers on all fronts without reaching flagship pricing levels. At $599, it's a significant jump from the SE, but for most people, the extra investment will be worth it. The added screen size, modern design, improved camera, and support for Apple's latest AI features make this more than just a minor upgrade. The bottom line: Should you buy it? If you're still holding onto an iPhone that's 5 years old or older or thinking about switching from Android, the iPhone 16e is the best entry point into Apple's ecosystem in years. It offers the core features of the iPhone 16 at a more palatable price and doesn't feel like a stripped-down version of a flagship model. It's a "good enough" phone for a decent-ish price. If you're paying for the device upfront, $200 is a big deal. But if you go with an installment plan, it's more like an additional $8 per month on a two-year contract plan, which makes it hurt a little less. Or just wait for the iPhone 17. The bottom line? While the SE's price jump may turn off some budget-conscious buyers, those willing to spend a bit more will get a phone that feels anything but entry-level. Pre-orders started on Feb. 21, with the official launch on Feb. 28. Jennifer Jolly is an Emmy Award-winning consumer tech columnist and on-air contributor for "The Today Show." The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. Contact her at [email protected] or follow her @JennJolly in Instagram.

iPhone 16e Review: The Gateway Phone to the Apple Ecosystem

The "essential" iPhone 16e is all you need to enjoy your visit to the walled garden. Apple Intelligence included. I'm going to be, as we millennials say, "for real" with you all about the iPhone 16e. After a couple of days with it, I prefer it over wielding the iPhone 16 Pro, at least for testing purposes. I'm not saying there isn't a point in dropping a stack of cash on a Pro version of the iPhone or even the sub-level iPhone 16, but the iPhone 16e ticks all the boxes it needs to without this over-showmanship of everything Apple can do. Dare I say, it's subdued Apple, and I like it. If anything, the iPhone 16e is what happens when Apple dials it down to only the essentials. I still don't know what the "e" stands for (I tried asking!), but I think it stands for "exactly what you need." For Apple fans, the iPhone 16e is a chic little smartphone you buy for your kids or an elder, so you can keep an eye on them without the mental gymnastics of figuring out how to save some cash on an older model of the iPhone that can do it all. The iPhone 16e already does it all because it's built on the same processing architecture as the iPhone 16/16 Pro. This phone is also for people who haven't chosen a path yet; the iPhone 16e is the "entry-level" foray into the walled garden. Apple bottled up enough of the experience to entice you from your budget Android device. The third-generation iPhone SE was the last "budget" iPhone. That phone looked like it existed for fan service; it had Touch ID, which harkened back to an iPhone generation that Apple had since left when the SE 3 was announced. It had a measly 64GB of storage space and a camera that couldn't even shoot in the dark. The 4.7-inch screen was cute, especially in 2022 when we were all clamoring for smaller phones, but in 2025, it's a screen for ants. The Google Pixel A-series quickly surpassed the iPhone SE. Apple's "budget" phone stayed dated. The iPhone 16e has a renewed sense of self. It is not a "budget" Apple phone, but the entrance into the ecosystem that the company would like to invite you to sit in, even though it is very bright and slightly cold. It has all the essentials to enjoy tending in the walled garden. The design is a pared-down, lighter version of the iPhone 16. There have been complaints that the iPhone 16e is not colorful enough because it only comes in black and white, but you'll probably end up covering this thing in a case, anyway. The iPhone 16e doesn't have the Dynamic Island, but it does have Face ID, which works just as quickly as the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro. Don't forget to scan yourself with sunglasses and a mask because typing in a six-digit passcode is still annoying when trying to do something fast. The 6.1-inch screen is a Super Retina XDR display, though it tops at 1,200 nits of brightness. The charging port is now USB-C, and there is Qi wireless charging but no MagSafe, which is fine because you can easily spoof the magnet anyway (I've been doing it on Android for years). The Action Button also makes an appearance here. I can see this being the main selling point of this specific iPhone model. It's beneficial for people buying this phone to help aid someone if they're alone. Imagine setting up a Shortcut for a routine that dims the lights or setting up a FaceTime bookmark to simplify the task of video calling the grandkids. My favorite part about the iPhone 16e is its lightness relative to the rest of the iPhone lineupâ€"I'm not even talking about the Plus or the Pro Max. I am talking about this phone weighing just under six ounces. The iPhone 16 is right at six ounces on the chart, but it has protruding glass, which adds a smidge more heft. Apple figures some of us will be buying this as a secondary phone. I liked that I could carry it around in my purse with the Pixel 9 Pro, which weighs seven ounces, and I barely felt it in there. That was with Apple's magenta silicone case on it. Unlike the iPhone 16 family, only one camera sensor is on the iPhone 16e. However, it's a 48-MP Fusion camera, a two-in-one camera system that can shoot in 24-MP and 48-MP resolutions like the rest of the iPhone 16 family. The iPhone 16e's primary camera offers some wiggle room with features like Portrait Mode with depth control. But there is no focus control. There's no ultrawide camera to zoom out into or macro photography, either. If you want to get close to something, you'll have to walk up to it. The iPhone 16e supports Dolby Vision video up to 4K at 60 frames-per-second, which is ample enough for anyone just recording for the sake of logging it. Photographic Styles are on the iPhone 16e, which feeds the inner emo in me. I even took a nighttime landscape photo by keeping the shutter open for a few seconds. All the basic camera necessities are on the iPhone 16e, and I was pretty satisfied despite the "fixed" lens experience. The iPhone 16e exists to help bring new users into the fold with its ecosystem perks, particularly the ones that Apple has been able to market as essential utilities. Things like Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, and messaging over satellite will do wonders at extolling the idea that the iPhone is a helpful aid to life. Features like Find My and Crash Detection will also make it easier for parents to default to the iPhone 16e as their kids' digital leash. Apple Intelligence is another big get, and the iPhone 16e is in this timeline to bring even outliers up to speed with what it's doing with AI. I'm still scratching my head at whether people joining the platform gravitate toward using the built-in features, but I can see typing to Siri getting the most play on this form factor. I'm not so sure about the generative abilities of Image Playground. It's fast on the iPhone 16e, just like on the other iPhone 16s, but I'm still not getting the desired results I want, which discourages me from using it. At the very least, you'll have things like Apple Intelligence in the Mail app to help you sift through threads and generative writing help for those days you hate people too much to construct a sentence. Again, Apple's point is that the device gives you access to the essentials, even the AI stuff. One of Apple's latest priorities is getting a handle on its supply chain so it has total control over what it produces without relying on third-party vendors. It's getting there with the advent of the C1 modem. The only drawback of the modem is that it only works with sub-6GHz 5G networks, so you'll have a hard time connecting inside stadiums and other overwhelmed, crowded places. But that's also why Apple can make such steady battery claims since most people don't need access to that stuff constantly. Apple says this is the "longest battery life even in a 6.1-inch iPhone." I'm still working on our official battery test to come in an update this week, but I can already tell you I have hardly charged the iPhone 16e since getting it set up five days ago. The other homegrown part of the iPhone 16e is its processor. The A18 featured here isn't a copy-paste chip; the GPU is a four-core chip rather than a five-core like in the regular iPhone 16. Still, that's not going to slow you down. The Geekbench numbers for GPU performance were only 2,000 points apart between the two sibling devices. Apple Arcade games like Hello Kitty Adventure Island and Sonic Dream Team ran smoothly without hiccups on the iPhone 16e. Pokémon Go was fine. Realistically, that's the caliber of mobile games people will play at this price point, and it's good to know the first-tier iPhone can handle a subscription to Apple Arcade, though it can handle stuff like Resident Evil 4 and Roblox, too. (The kid stuck with this iPhone will be very happy about that last part.) I wasn't expecting to adore this phone or prefer it over the iPhone 16 Pro I typically use to test software. The light build alone makes the iPhone 16e a joy to handle. There's also virtually no difference in software experience between the iPhone 16e and the iPhone 16, so carrying around the whole kit and caboodle doesn't feel necessary. It's nice and freeing. Apple plans to push out Apple Intelligence features to the iPhone 16e simultaneously with the rest of the iPhone 16 family. The iPhone 16e may not be capable of capturing objects from far away or come in a spectrum of neat colors. Nor does it sync up with the vast offering of MagSafe accessories and devices. Otherwise, it's everything you need to lock into the ecosystem and start buying other Apple accessories and subscribing to services. The iPhone 16e is the gateway drug. I know there will be a debate over the fact that there are cheaper Android devices that offer the same quality of features as the iPhone 16e. I say the iPhone 16e isn't for you. It's for the already-dedicated Apple users who don't want to fuss about what phone to buy to tether family members. With trade-ins and sales, the iPhone 16e could help bring in people who have wanted the device but were often limited by the high starting cost. It's also going to be a good deal for anyone upgrading from a much older iPhone 11 or earlier, and it's $200 cheaper than going outright for the iPhone 16 with 128GB of storage.

The iPhone 16e has failed to be the iPhone SE 4 I wanted

Table of Contents Table of Contents The good news The bad The bottom line When it's the first half of a year, and a new iPhone has been announced, you know it's not one of Apple's next-generation flagships like the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro. Instead, a new iPhone this time of year is usually a new SE model. Not in 2025, however. On Wednesday, the world said hello, not to the "iPhone SE 4" but to the iPhone 16e. The new handset replaces the iPhone SE 3 as Apple's most affordable iPhone. However, it doesn't take cues from earlier SE models. Instead, it resembles the 2022 iPhone 14, which, like the iPhone SE 3, was removed from the market this week. Recommended Videos But make no mistake, the iPhone 6e isn't the iPhone 14. Given that one handset is nearly three years newer than the other, one might assume that means the iPhone 6e is better than the iPhone 14. Strangely, that's not the case, at least across the board. In some cases, Apple removed features from the discontinued iPhone 14. These trade-offs make the iPhone 16e $200 less expensive than the iPhone 14 when it was initially released. And yet, some of these omissions will leave some scratching their heads. The good news First, let's stick with the positives about the iPhone 16e, and there are many. The new iPhone 6e includes the same terrific 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR (OLED) display as the iPhone 14. By comparison, the iPhone SE 4 had an LCD. The result is not only a better display, but you also get Face ID vs. Touch ID. The newer phone is also slightly lighter than the iPhone 14, which is always nice for an object you'll probably carry for hours at a time. Beyond this, the iPhone 16e has many features that the iPhone 14 does not. This starts with its A18 chip, a significant improvement over the iPhone 14's A15 Bionic chip. The regular A18 chip, which is also found in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, represents a significant advancement in performance and efficiency compared to the A15 Bionic. The A18 features a faster CPU, boasting up to a 50% increase in speed over the A15, which results in smoother multitasking and quicker app launches. Its improved GPU offers up to 40% faster graphics processing, leading to more immersive gaming experiences and enhanced performance in graphically demanding applications. Furthermore, the A18 includes a more advanced Neural Engine, accelerating machine learning tasks and enabling more innovative features. These upgrades contribute to a more responsive and capable device, allowing users to manage demanding tasks while seamlessly enjoying a fluid user experience. Thanks to the newer chip, the iPhone 16e, unlike the iPhone 14, supports Apple Intelligence. This is certainly good news for anyone who wants a smartphone with Apple's first AI tools but wants to spend less than they would on other supported phones. This newer, more efficient chip, coupled with a better battery, means the iPhone 16e can last up to six more hours between charges than the iPhone 14. Thank you, Apple. Other upgrades on the iPhone 16e compared to the iPhone 14 include the versatile Action Button and a USB-C, not Lightning connector. The newer phone also features some slick camera upgrades. Visual Intelligence lets you get information about your surroundings by pointing your iPhone's camera at something. It's like having a super-powered visual search engine in your pocket. The iPhone 16e also offers better optical zoom options and HDR 5, not HDR 4, for photos. The latter means that images taken with the newer phone will include enhanced dynamic range, improved tone mapping, and brighter highlights than images taken with the iPhone 14. Two other perks you'll receive on the iPhone 16e that are missing on the iPhone 14 include wind noise reduction and Apple's Audio Mix feature. Both make videos you take more impressive. The bad The features above make the iPhone 16e more advanced than the similarly designed iPhone 14. However, some differences feel more like a step or a few steps back. Each omission was undoubtedly made to lower Apple's cost for the new phone. This starts with two significant downgrades: no MagSafe and no ultra-wide camera. The first tool, launched on the iPhone 12 series, provides a convenient and efficient way to wirelessly charge iPhones using magnets embedded in the back of supported phones. As such, it offers faster and more reliable charging than traditional Qi wireless charging. Moving on, I realize the iPhone SE 3 also didn't have an ultra-wide camera. However, Apple's decision to produce a phone without one in 2025 is difficult to understand. Ultra-wide cameras have many advantages, and some of these would appeal to first-time iPhone owners (think teenagers), such as the ability to take landscapes, creative shots, and more. Since the iPhone 16e does not have an ultra-wide camera, Apple has also elected not to include two camera features that are on the iPhone 14: Cinematic mode and Action mode. These modes enhance video quality by adding a depth-of-field effect and stability to shaky video footage. Another noteworthy omission is that the iPhone 16e does not have an ultra-wideband chip. These chips enable a range of features that enhance user experience. For example, they allow precise location tracking, improve connectivity, and provide better spatial awareness. Not including MagSafe magnets, an extra camera lens, and an ultra-wideband chip undoubtedly reduces Apple's cost of manufacturing the iPhone 16e and, in doing so, the company's price for the phone. From a financial standpoint, these omissions do make sense. However, given that the 2022 iPhone 14 had these, the missing features feel like a move back for the iPhone lineup as a whole. Finally, Apple's decision to offer the iPhone 16e only in black and white is puzzling. Is this a throwback to 2008, before Apple discovered that its top-selling product could sell in more than two colors? Has Apple become allergic to the color red? The last two iPhone SE models were available in three colors, while the first was offered in four. Knowing this, it probably wouldn't be asking too much for Apple to give budget iPhone buyers at least a choice of three colors, right? The bottom line Anyone who owns an iPhone SE 3 or earlier will appreciate the iPhone 16e -- they will love it, in fact. The phone features a larger display, enhanced internals, and numerous other upgrades. Those upgrades alone are all Apple needs to justify the iPhone 16e compared to the iPhone SE 3, and I'm aware of this. However, given that the iPhone 16e has replaced the iPhone SE 3 and the iPhone 14 in the lineup, some might not be too happy about the new handset's arrival. These folks might have expected more from Apple. MagSafe, more than one rear camera, and more colors -- is that asking too much? I think not. Of course, one can have all those things -- and more, by ponying up an extra $100 and buying a regular iPhone 15. Of course, that would mean no Apple Intelligence, but that's a different story for another time.

iPhone 16e has five key upgrades to entice iPhone 15 users - 9to5Mac

Apple's new iPhone 16e isn't quite as budget-friendly as the iPhone SE it replaced, but it's still a fantastic option for users looking to upgrade without breaking the bank. For iPhone 15 owners specifically, there are five big upgrades that come with the iPhone 16e vs. your current 15. Apple tends to offer pretty solid ongoing support for its devices years after launch. But controversially, the base iPhone 15 and 15 Plus do not support Apple Intelligence despite debuting only a year prior to AI's launch. Whatever you think of the Apple Intelligence features that are available so far, future iOS updates will only continue adding to the iPhone's AI capabilities. And if you buy an iPhone 16e, you'll get all of those features thrown in. If you stick with your iPhone 15, you'll continue to miss out. The iPhone 16e is launching less than 18 months after the iPhone 15, but its chip is a full two generations better. The A18 included in the new iPhone offers improved performance compared to the iPhone 15's A16 Bionic. It also is a much more future-proof chip, largely thanks to its Apple Intelligence support. There are few things that matter more on an iPhone than battery life, and this is another area the iPhone 16e shines compared to the 15. Here are Apple's quotes for video playback, its standard battery benchmark: Your experience in daily use will of course vary, but per these numbers you should expect about a 30% increase in battery performance with an iPhone 16e. The iPhone 15 was the last model Apple included the classic ring/silent switch with. That same year, the 15 Pro introduced an Action button in its place, and that same Action button is now included with the iPhone 16e. The Action button can be configured to perform practically any function you want, such as: Of course, you can also still make it toggle between ring and silent, if that's your preference. Finally in terms of big upgrades, the iPhone 15 has 6GB of RAM, while the new iPhone 16e comes with 8GB. This 33% increase enables Apple Intelligence support but should also lead to smoother performance in iOS overall, especially as future software updates put more demands on your iPhone's hardware. It's not all positives when upgrading from an iPhone 15. This should perhaps be obvious by the fact that the iPhone 16e costs $100 less -- $599 vs. $699. Here's the list of noteworthy iPhone 16e omissions compared to the iPhone 15: Depending on your device use, these losses could either be a real issue or not a problem at all. Overall, the iPhone 16e has a lot going for it as a budget-sensitive option to gain Apple Intelligence support. Getting better battery life and the Action button thrown in are compelling upgrades too. But if you'd have a hard time giving up the Dynamic Island, MagSafe, or some other iPhone 15 advantages, it might be worth spending the extra $200 to get an iPhone 16 instead. Will you upgrade from an iPhone 15 to the iPhone 16e? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments.

Apple's New iPhone 16E Launch Could Be Its Most Important in 2025

Apple's $599 iPhone 16E is the biggest refresh ever for its lower-cost phone line -- formally named the iPhone SE -- and it couldn't arrive at a better time. Between the beefier specs needed to power generative AI to the expected increase in costs that US tariffs on imports from China may bring, Apple's entry-level iPhone might provide enough new features to be worth the upgrade, even with its substantial $170 price bump over the $429 iPhone SE from 2022. Economic factors aside, the iPhone 16E represents the rare time when Apple rethinks its entry-level phone. The last iPhone SE refresh in 2022 primarily added 5G connectivity and the processor of the iPhone 13. This allowed the iPhone SE to capably access faster cellular speeds and run most apps. But compared to similarly-priced 2025 Android phones, Apple's iPhone SE (2022) was woefully behind. New Android phones that cost $500 and less have large 120Hz refresh rate displays, 50-megapixel main cameras and support wireless charging. Meanwhile the iPhone SE (2022) has languished with a dated design that harkens back to 2017's iPhone 8. And due to its Lightning port, the SE can't be sold in European Union countries now that phones are required to support USB-C. This makes a new 2025 entry-level iPhone not only welcome, but necessary for Apple's success this year. It should allow Apple to re-enter markets like the EU with a lower-priced iPhone option, while providing a device that feels new enough for cost-conscious shoppers who want to get a longer-lasting smartphone before an inevitable creep in prices. Apple Intelligence -- the company's suite of AI features -- appears to be driving Apple to refresh its entry-level devices with more powerful hardware to increase adoption. This already includes the new $499 iPad Mini that comes with an A17 Pro processor -- which is the same as the one in the iPhone 15 Pro -- as well as relaunching the Mac Mini desktop computer with a $599 model that comes with 16GB of memory. Apple took the same strategy with the iPhone 16E, which has an A18 processor that can run Apple Intelligence while pulling back other features, like having a single rear 48-megapixel camera paired with a 12-megapixel selfie camera, to hit a lower cost. Apple's foregoing the Dynamic Island, which features prominently in the rest of Apple's current iPhone lineup, and omitted faster MagSafe wireless charging for the slower 7.5 Qi wireless charging seen on the last iPhone SE (the phone's USB-C port charges at 20W speeds). But in exchange for those compromises, the iPhone 16E has an enhanced Siri assistant, Visual Intelligence, generative emoji, text editing tools and ChatGPT integration in Siri. And in a nice plus, the iPhone 16E includes the Action Button that can be customized for a number of shortcuts. In European Union countries, the iPhone 16E will be the cheapest phone that Apple sells at 699 Euro (thanks to its inclusion of USB-C). Currently the 849 Euro iPhone 15 is the most affordable phone Apple sells in the EU because it's the first model to include a USB-C port. Apple's entry-level iPhone refreshes have a knack for arriving during turbulent economic moments. In April 2020, Apple launched a refreshed $399 iPhone SE during the early throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Counterpoint Research, that phone alongside the iPhone 11 helped sustain the company during a time when smartphone sales were expected to decline. And now in 2025, a new 10% US tariff on goods from China could mean a corresponding increase to the cost of electronics. That tariff along with other rising costs expected for groceries and other goods may lead families to take a more conservative approach to their personal budgeting. This makes the iPhone 16E's launch a particularly opportune moment, as a more affordable phone option that will get years of iOS software updates. However, by launching the iPhone 16E at a price that's well over $500, in some ways we are already seeing this price creep on the entry-level side of Apple's iPhone portfolio. The $429 iPhone SE (2022) is no longer for sale on Apple's website, meaning that $599 is now the lowest amount of money you can spend for a new iPhone. If you want an iPhone for less, your only options are in the used and refurbished market going forward. This also means that Apple's new iPhone 16E faces competition from Android phone rivals like the $650 Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, the $600 OnePlus 13R and the $499 Google Pixel 8A. All three of these Android phones have their own take on the same strategy as the iPhone 16E, offering access to just enough power for apps and AI, but scaling back on certain hardware features in order to hit lower prices. Apple's record for providing consistent options for budget-minded customers has been sporadic at best. Samsung, Motorola and Google release new lower-priced phone options every year, while Apple's multi-year approach takes its entry-level phones to the verge of stagnation. The iPhone SE (2022)'s lack of AI support and a USB-C port for the EU are likely driving factors for Apple releasing the iPhone 16E -- more than actually serving a market need. And by launching the 16E at a price well above $500, Apple's certainly not targeting the truly price-conscious who want a new phone for the lowest-possible cost. The name change from iPhone SE to iPhone 16E might indicate a willingness from Apple to iterate on its entry-level more often, but that's not guaranteed. Way back in 2013, Apple's $549 iPhone 5C presented a similar lower-cost alternative to that year's iPhone 5S, but Apple did not follow that up with annual refreshes. If Apple did iterate more consistently on the entry-level side of its iPhone lineup, it's quite possible that the company could dominate the more affordable end of the market. Instead, Apple cedes this space the most to Samsung, whose $200 Galaxy A models often take a spot in the top 5 best-selling phones in the US - the top four spots on that list were all iPhone models. Whether Apple wants to refresh its entry-level iPhones or simply needs to update it, the iPhone 16E could be the ideal option for people who "just want an iPhone" with modern features for hundreds less than Apple's current flagship models.

Apple's Lower-Priced iPhone 16E Could Be Its Biggest Opportunity of 2025

Expertise Phones |Texting apps | iOS | Android | Smartwatches | Fitness trackers | Mobile accessories | Gaming phones | Budget phones | Toys | Star Wars | Marvel | Power Rangers | DC | Mobile accessibility | iMessage | WhatsApp | Signal | RCS Apple's $599 iPhone 16E is the biggest refresh ever for the company's lower-cost phone, formerly called the iPhone SE, and it couldn't arrive at a better time. With generative AI requiring beefier specs, and US tariffs on imports from China possibly bringing an increase in costs, Apple's entry-level iPhone might provide enough new features to be worth the upgrade from an earlier iPhone SE. But those prior iPhone SE owners will be facing a substantial price hike, with the iPhone 16E costing $170 more than the $429 iPhone SE from 2022. Economic considerations aside, the iPhone 16E represents the rare time when Apple rethinks its entry-level phone. The last iPhone SE refresh, in 2022, primarily added 5G connectivity and the processor of the iPhone 13. This allowed the iPhone SE to capably access faster cellular speeds and run most apps. But compared with similarly priced 2025 Android phones, Apple's iPhone SE was woefully behind. New Android phones costing $500 or less have large 120Hz refresh rate displays, 50-megapixel main cameras and support for wireless charging. Meanwhile, the iPhone SE languished, with a dated design that hearkened back to 2017's iPhone 8. And due to its Lightning port, the SE couldn't be sold in European Union countries now that phones there are required to support USB-C. This makes a new, 2025 entry-level iPhone not only welcome but also necessary for Apple's success this year. It should allow Apple to re-enter markets like the EU with a lower-priced iPhone option while providing a device that feels new enough for value-focused shoppers who want to get a longer-lasting smartphone. Apple Intelligence, the company's set of AI features, appears to be driving Apple to refresh its entry-level devices with more-powerful hardware to increase adoption. This already includes the new $499 iPad Mini, which comes with an A17 Pro processor -- the same as the one in the iPhone 15 Pro -- and the relaunch of the Mac Mini desktop computer, with a $599 model that comes with 16GB of memory. Apple adopted the same strategy with the iPhone 16E. It gave the phone an A18 processor that can run Apple Intelligence, and it pulled back other features to hit a lower cost, like going with a single rear 48-megapixel camera paired with a 12-megapixel selfie camera. Apple is forgoing the Dynamic Island, which features prominently in the rest of the company's current iPhone lineup, and it omitted faster MagSafe wireless charging and went with the slower 7.5 Qi wireless charging seen on the last iPhone SE (the 16E's USB-C port charges at 20-watt speeds). In exchange for those compromises, the iPhone 16E has an enhanced Siri assistant, Visual Intelligence, generative emoji, text editing tools and ChatGPT integration in Siri. And in a nice plus, the iPhone 16E includes the Action Button that can be customized for a number of shortcuts. In European Union countries, the iPhone 16E will be the cheapest phone Apple sells, at 699 Euros (thanks to its use of USB-C). Currently the 849 Euro iPhone 15 is the most affordable phone Apple sells in the EU, because it's the first model to include a USB-C port. Apple's refreshes of its entry-level iPhone have had a knack for arriving at turbulent economic moments. In April 2020, the company launched a refreshed, $399 iPhone SE during the early throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Counterpoint Research, that phone, alongside the iPhone 11, helped sustain Apple during a time when smartphone sales were expected to decline. And now in 2025, a new 10% US tariff on goods from China could mean a corresponding increase in the cost of electronics. That tariff, along with other rising costs expected for groceries and other goods, may lead families to take a more conservative approach to their personal budgeting. This makes for a particularly opportune launch of the iPhone 16E, as a more affordable phone option that will get years of iOS software updates. But with the iPhone 16E launched at a price that's well over $500, in some ways we're already seeing this price creep on the entry-level side of Apple's iPhone portfolio. The $429 iPhone SE, from 2022, is no longer for sale on Apple's website, meaning that $599 is now the lowest you can spend for a new iPhone. If you want an iPhone for less, your only options going forward are in the used and refurbished market. This also means that Apple's new iPhone 16E faces competition from Android phone rivals like the $650 Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, the $600 OnePlus 13R and the $499 Google Pixel 8A. All three of these reflect their manufacturer's own take on the same strategy Apple used with the iPhone 16E -- they offer access to just enough power for apps and AI, but certain hardware features have been scaled back to allow for a lower price. Apple's record of providing consistent options for budget-minded customers has been sporadic at best. Samsung, Motorola and Google release new lower-priced phone options every year, while Apple's multiyear approach takes its entry-level phones to the verge of stagnation. The 2022 iPhone SE's lack of AI support and a USB-C port for the EU were likely driving factors for Apple releasing the iPhone 16E -- more than actually serving a market need. And by launching the 16E at a price well above $500, Apple certainly isn't aiming it at the truly price-conscious folks who want a new phone for the lowest-possible cost. The name change from iPhone SE to iPhone 16E might indicate a willingness from Apple to iterate on its entry-level phone more often, but that isn't guaranteed. Way back in 2013, Apple's $549 iPhone 5C presented a similar lower-cost alternative to that year's iPhone 5S, but Apple didn't follow that up with annual refreshes. If Apple did iterate more consistently on the entry-level side of its iPhone lineup, it's quite possible the company could dominate the more affordable end of the market. Instead, Apple cedes this space to Samsung, whose $200 Galaxy A models often take a spot in Counterpoint Research's list of the top five best-selling phones overall in the US. For instance, in September 2024, the $200 Samsung Galaxy A15 5G places fifth, with the top four spots all occupied by iPhone models that cost $699 and up. Whether Apple wanted to refresh its entry-level iPhone or simply needed to update it, the iPhone 16E could be the ideal option for people who "just want an iPhone" with modern features for hundreds less than Apple's current flagship models.

The $600 iPhone 16e is the cheap phone to beat - and it has Apple Intelligence

After a two-year hiatus, Apple unveiled the new iPhone 16e. Here's everything you need to know. It was a little more than two years ago when Apple refreshed its entry-level, low-cost iPhone model, ideal for people who didn't need all of the bells and whistles but still wanted to be part of the Apple ecosystem -- the iPhone SE. After a two-year hiatus, the next big refresh has arrived. Also: I revisited the iPhone SE in 2025 - and the SE 4 may be an even bigger hit On Wednesday, Apple launched the iPhone 16e via an online press release rather than the usual product event. The iPhone 16e received several massive upgrades from its predecessor, including a refreshed design, support for Apple Intelligence, an A18 chipset, Face ID, an Apple modem, and more. Here's everything you need to know about the phone. Compared to the last iPhone SE, released in 2022, the new model features a more modernized, iPhone 14-esque design. It has a USB-C port at the bottom, Face ID (goodbye, Home Button), and a simple notch, which some people may prefer over the Dynamic Island. The smartphone still has its small-device appeal, though not as small as its predecessor, fitting comfortably in the palm of your hand. By the numbers, we're looking at a 6.1-inch OLED display now, compared to the previous 4.7-inch screen. The glass exterior and aluminum frame come in two matte finishes: black and white. Also: Best iPhones 2025: Which iPhone model should you buy? The base storage capacity also received a boost, doubling from 64GB to 128GB, and added options of 256GB and 512GB. Thanks to the improved power efficiency and larger battery capacity, new users should also experience improved battery performance (though Apple won't specify the exact value). For reference, the previous iPhone SE (2022) had a 1,624mAh battery, according to after-market tests. The iPhone 16e features a 48MP wide camera on the back with an integrated 2x Telephoto, an upgrade from the previous model, and a 12MP front-facing camera. Therefore, despite the rest of the phone upgrades, the iPhone 16e may still not be for you if you are a photo enthusiast. Arguably the biggest iPhone 16e upgrade is the inclusion of an A18 chipset, the same silicon found in the latest iPhone 16 lineup. This upgrade was necessary to power Apple's suite of Apple Intelligence (AI) features, including Genmoji, Writing Tools, Notification summaries, Image Playground, and more. Also: You can get 6 months of Apple Music for $3 right now - here's how For something more subtle, the iPhone 16e also features Apple's first in-house 5G modem, the Apple C1, a step away from the traditional Qualcomm variant. By using its own wireless chip, Apple should be able to cut costs and, in turn, make the iPhone 16e more affordable for users. Having full control over the chip's integration with 5G networks could also lead to a more optimized cellular experience. Since this newer technology is still in development, it may not yet match Qualcomm's capabilities, particularly because it lacks mmWave support, which enables access to the fastest 5G bands in the US. The previous iPhone SE also lacked mmWave, so the difference may not be as noticeable for users. Given the chip's nascency, we can likely expect upcoming, entry-level products like the iPads to adopt Apple's modem before the company incorporates it into flagship devices. This year's hardware and software upgrades make the iPhone 16e a very competitive option for smartphone shoppers. While the iPhone 16e retails for more than its predecessor, it's still hundreds of dollars cheaper than the base iPhone 16 model, which starts at $799. You can pre-order the phone starting Friday, Feb. 26, and deliveries will begin a week after, on Feb. 28. Also: The best Apple deals of February 2025: iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads, and more Notably, this price point places the iPhone 16e in the same range as entry-level phones from Google and Samsung, with the Google Pixel 8a and Samsung Galaxy A35 5G costing $499 and $399, respectively. By reintroducing a lower-cost option, Apple is positioning itself to reach a more generalized demographic of customers that its latest release may have missed. The question now is whether or not the iPhone 16e will be just as successful as the last model, when the market is much more competitive this time around.

IPhone 16e vs. iPhone 16: More Similarities Than You'd Expect (But Few Key Differences)

How to Wirelessly Transfer Files Between Windows, macOS, Linux, and Mobile Quick Links iPhone 16e Has a Notch at the Front iPhone 16 Offers a Brighter (and Slightly Bigger) Screen Both iPhones Feature the A18 Chipset (But There's a Catch) iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence iPhone 16 Provides a Superior Camera Setup iPhone 16e Offers Better Battery Life iPhone 16e Features Apple's First In-House Modem iPhone 16 Costs $200 More Than the iPhone 16e Summary The new iPhone 16e is similar to the iPhone 16 in more ways than one, including the powerful A18 chip. On the other hand, the iPhone 16 offers more in terms of an extra GPU core, better camera system and more convenient ways to charge.. Given that the iPhone 16e starts at $599, it seems to offer more value than the iPhone 16 but the devil's in the details and what is most important to you. Apple just introduced the new iPhone 16e (not the iPhone SE 4), with an A18 chipset and Apple Intelligence, making it sound similar to the baseline iPhone 16. However, there are a few critical differences that you should know about before making a decision. iPhone 16e Has a Notch at the Front When you hold the iPhone 16e in your hand, the first thing you'll notice is the return of the notch at the top (like the one on the iPhone 14). The glass back panel houses a single camera sensor in the top left corner (like the iPhone Xr). In comparison, the iPhone 16 has the Dynamic Island on the front (a pill-shaped interactive notch) and a vertically-stacked dual camera setup on its color-infused glass back. Speaking of the color-infused glass back, the iPhone 16 is available in five colors: Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, and Black, while the iPhone 16e only comes in Black and White shades (and it's not color-infused). In terms of dimensions, the iPhone 16e is a tiny bit shorter and every-so-slightly narrower than the regular iPhone 16, differences that are negligible. The cheaper iPhone measures three grams less on the weighing scale as well. Regarding buttons, the iPhone 16e gets the Action Button (which replaces the alert slider on the iPhone SE 3) but lacks the Camera Control button found on the iPhone 16. Beyond this, though, both phones share certain similarities. For instance, both phones have an aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front glass (latest-generation on the iPhone 16), a glass back (frosted glass on the iPhone 16), a shiny Apple mascot in the back panel's center, and an IP68 rating (maximum depth of 6m for up to 30 minutes). iPhone 16 Offers a Brighter (and Slightly Bigger) Screen The iPhone 16e has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels (460 ppi) and achieves a peak brightness of 1,200 nits while viewing HDR content. Even though the iPhone 16 also has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with a similar resolution (2556 x 1179) and pixel density, it is significantly brighter at 1,600 nits (for HDR content). Outdoors, the display reaches a peak brightness of 2,000 nits; indoors, it can come down to a nit. And yes, both phones still support only a 60Hz refresh rate, which is downright upsetting. On the brighter side, the cutout on the iPhone 16e accommodates all the required Face ID sensors. While Apple markets both phones as having a 6.1-inch screen, the iPhone 16e's screen measures 6.06 inches diagonally, less than that of the iPhone 16 (6.12 inches). The company also mentions that the "Actual viewable area is less" than the diagonal measurement. Given that the iPhone 16e has thicker bezels and is shorter, I'm sure it has a slightly smaller screen than the baseline flagship (something that is also evident in the resolution mentioned above). Besides that, both displays have the True Tone feature, support a wide color gamut (P3), a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating. Both iPhones Feature the A18 Chipset (But There's a Catch) On the surface, both iPhones feature Apple's latest, most powerful, and most efficient mobile chipset: the A18 chip with a six-core CPU (two performance and four efficiency cores). However, Apple has toned down the GPU on the iPhone 16e a bit. The iPhone 16e has a four-core GPU instead of a five-core GPU like the iPhone 16. Yes, Apple uses fancy terms like "hardware-accelerated ray tracing" for the cheaper iPhone. However, the lack of a GPU core can still be noticeable when playing AAA video games or generating images via Image Playground. I'm waiting for the iPhone 16e benchmark scores to show up to determine how much of an impact the missing GPU core could have on the graphical performance. The iPhone 16e and the iPhone 16 pack 8GB of memory, but that's primarily to handle all the Apple Intelligence features. Regarding storage, both iPhones have 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB options. iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence On the software side, the iPhone 16e will ship with iOS 18 out of the box. It provides a similar user experience as the iPhone 16 and supports all the Apple Intelligence features, such as Writing Tools, Image Playground, and ChatGPT-integrated Siri. You might think the iPhone 16e lacks Visual Intelligence because it doesn't have a Camera Control button, but that's not true. Like the iPhone 16, the iPhone 16e has a visual search feature that combines the utilities of Google Lens and ChatGPT. Based on this theory, the feature should also be available on the older iPhone 15 Pro model, right? Apple launched the iPhone 16e in the same cycle as the iPhone 16 and features the same hardware combination (A18 chip with 8GB of RAM). Hence, it should get the same software support as the iPhone 16, in my opinion. iPhone 16 Provides a Superior Camera Setup No, the iPhone 16e does not entirely borrow the iPhone 16's primary camera. Let me explain. The iPhone 16 has a 48MP (f/1.6, 26mm) primary camera with sensor-shift stabilization, which is better than regular optical image stabilization. Though the iPhone 16e has the same camera sensor, it settles with slightly inferior optical image stabilization. On the brighter side, you can shoot high-resolution pictures (at 24MP or 48MP) from both phones. Besides the primary camera, the iPhone 16 has a 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide camera with a 120° field of view. Since the sensor has autofocus, it doubles as a macro shooter with a minimum focusing distance of 2cm. Additional camera features on the more expensive iPhone include a Camera Control button, latest-generation Photographic Styles, next-generation portraits with focus control, and the ability to record Spatial photos and videos (which can be viewed on the Vision Pro headset). Video recording abilities differ slightly too. While both can record 4K Dolby Vision videos at up to 60 fps, the official spec sheet for the iPhone 16e doesn't mention anything about Cinematic Mode or Action Mode, implying that they aren't there. Even so, the iPhone 16e features Spatial Audio recording and wind noise reduction, as well as the new Audio Mix feature, which helps curb background noises and enhance vocals in a video. iPhone 16e Offers Better Battery Life Apple claims that the iPhone 16e can provide up to 26 hours of video playback, four hours (or about 18%) more than the iPhone 16. The iPhone 16e's audio playback rating is also higher than the flagship's (90 hours vs. 80 hours). Both phones also support fast wired charging (up to 50% in 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter). The downside is that the iPhone 16e doesn't support 25W MagSafe charging. Instead, it gets non-magnetic Qi wireless charging (at only 7.5w). iPhone 16e Features Apple's First In-House Modem The 'economical' iPhone features a component that represents six years of research and development for the company: its first cellular modem called C1. Apple claims that it is the "most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone, delivering fast and reliable 5G cellular connectivity." This should explain the battery life bump on the iPhone 16e. While the modem supports sub-6GHz 5G, it seems to have dropped the support for mmWave connectivity. Further, the C1 modem comes equipped with Wi-Fi 6, which means slower upload and download speeds compared with Wi-Fi 7 on the iPhone 16. Apple's C1 modem sounds promising, but I'll remain concerned about its effectiveness against Qualcomm's X71 5G modem. Questions like how good cellular reception is, what the maximum download/upload speed is, and how efficient the modem is under prolonged usage (or in areas where it's hard to get reception) remain unanswered at the moment. While both the iPhone 16e and the iPhone 16 come with dual eSIM support, a USB-C port (up to 480 Mbps), Bluetooth v5.3, and NFC with reader mode, the latter also features a second-generation ultra-wideband chip that enables Precision Finding for supported Apple devices. Last but not least, Emergency SOS via Satellite is available on both iPhones. iPhone 16 Costs $200 More Than the iPhone 16e The iPhone 16e's baseline variant, with 128GB of storage, costs $599. It is currently up for pre-orders on the official website and will be available in stores starting February 28, 2025. The iPhone 16, on the other hand, costs $799 for the 128 GB storage variant. It is available through the company's official website and other retailers, such as Best Buy and Walmart. iPhone 16e iPhone 16 128GB $599 $799 256GB $699 $899 512GB $899 $999 iPhone 16e The iPhone16e is an affordable addition to the iPhone 16 line, costing $200 less than the base iPhone 16. $599.99 at Apple $599.99 at T-Mobile Apple iPhone 16 Apple's newest iPhone featuring a camera button, programmable action button, and artificial intelligence features. See at Apple See at Best Buy The big thing stopping me from recommending the iPhone 16e is the C1 modem. While the Qualcomm modems on the iPhone have performed well, Apple's own tech is as-yet unproven. In totality, we are looking at a few key features that the iPhone 16e misses out on: Dynamic Island, Camera Control, the 12MP ultrawide sensor, a slightly more powerful GPU in the A18 chip, MagSafe charging, and mmWave connectivity. If you're willing to trade them for a $200 discount, the iPhone 16e offers great value. However, if you want all those features, the iPhone 16 is the better option. If you're really looking for a chance to save some money on an iPhone, you might have to look at the used or refurbished iPhone market.

Apple launches $599 iPhone 16e: Best features, specs, and everything else to know

After a two-year hiatus, Apple has unveiled the new iPhone 16e. Here's a rundown of the new device. It was a little more than two years ago when Apple refreshed its entry-level, low-cost iPhone model, ideal for people who didn't need all of the bells and whistles but still wanted to be part of the Apple ecosystem -- the iPhone SE. After a two-year hiatus, the next big refresh has arrived. Also: What does the 'e' in iPhone 16e stand for? On Wednesday, Apple launched the iPhone 16e via an online press release rather than the usual product event. The iPhone 16e received several massive upgrades from its predecessor, including a refreshed design, support for Apple Intelligence, an A18 chipset, Face ID, an Apple modem, and more. Here's everything you need to know about the phone. Compared to the last iPhone SE, released in 2022, the new model features a more modernized, iPhone 14-esque design. It has a USB-C port at the bottom, Face ID (goodbye, Home Button), and a simple notch, which some people may prefer over the Dynamic Island. The smartphone still has its small-device appeal, though not as small as its predecessor, fitting comfortably in the palm of your hand. By the numbers, we're looking at a 6.1-inch OLED display now, compared to the previous 4.7-inch screen. The glass exterior and aluminum frame come in two matte finishes: black and white. Also: Best iPhones 2025: Which iPhone model should you buy? The base storage capacity also received a boost, doubling from 64GB to 128GB, with added 256GB and 512GB options. Thanks to the improved power efficiency and larger battery capacity, new users should also experience improved battery performance (though Apple won't specify the exact value). For reference, the previous iPhone SE (2022) had a 1,624mAh battery, according to after-market tests. The iPhone 16e features a 48MP wide camera on the back with an integrated 2x Telephoto, an upgrade from the previous model, and a 12MP front-facing camera. Therefore, despite the rest of the phone upgrades, the iPhone 16e may still not be for you if you are a photo enthusiast. Arguably the biggest iPhone 16e upgrade is the inclusion of an A18 chipset. While it doesn't have as many GPU cores as other A18 variants found in the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup, it still gives the phone some notable capabiltiies. This upgrade, for example, was necessary to power Apple's suite of Apple Intelligence (AI) features, including Genmoji, Writing Tools, Notification summaries, Image Playground, and more. Also: I revisited the iPhone SE in 2025 - and the 16e may be an even bigger hit For something more subtle, the iPhone 16e also features Apple's first in-house 5G modem, the Apple C1, a step away from the traditional Qualcomm processor. By using its own wireless chip, Apple should be able to cut costs and, in turn, make the iPhone 16e more affordable for users. Having full control over the chip's integration with 5G networks could also lead to a more optimized cellular experience. Since this newer technology is still in development, it may not yet match Qualcomm's capabilities. Given the chip's nascency, we can likely expect upcoming, entry-level products like the iPads to adopt Apple's modem before the company incorporates it into flagship devices. This year's hardware and software upgrades make the iPhone 16e a very competitive option for smartphone shoppers. While the iPhone 16e retails for more than its predecessor, it's still hundreds of dollars cheaper than the base iPhone 16 model, which starts at $799. You can pre-order the phone starting Friday, Feb. 21, and deliveries will begin a week after, on Feb. 28. Also: The best Apple deals of February 2025: iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads, and more Notably, this price point places the iPhone 16e a little higher than competing entry-level phones from Google and Samsung, with the Google Pixel 8a and Samsung Galaxy A35 5G costing $499 and $399, respectively. By reintroducing a lower-cost option, Apple is positioning itself to reach a more generalized demographic of customers that its latest release may have missed. The question now is whether or not the iPhone 16e will be just as successful as the last model, when the market is much more competitive this time around.

Apple's iPhone 16E Has Lots of Features, but I'm Confused by What's Left Out

Expertise Phones |Texting apps | iOS | Android | Smartwatches | Fitness trackers | Mobile accessories | Gaming phones | Budget phones | Toys | Star Wars | Marvel | Power Rangers | DC | Mobile accessibility | iMessage | WhatsApp | Signal | RCS Apple's $599 iPhone 16E is the cheapest new phone that the company's released in years. Its debut Wednesday showcases a big rethink to how Apple presents itself for value-oriented shoppers. On one hand, Apple's created a device that's built to last for years by including the same A18 processor that's shipping in the $799 iPhone 16. The device's similarities to the iPhone 16 don't end there, with a similar display size, screen resolution, a USB-C port and front-facing camera. While there are some obvious differences -- a single rear 48-megapixel main camera and the lack of a Dynamic Island notch -- plenty of shoppers might otherwise decide that these trade-offs are more than worth the "$200 discount" from the iPhone 16. Yet there are a number of areas where the iPhone 16E falls short of my expectations, at least on paper, like where is MagSafe? I'm looking forward to trying out the iPhone 16E, but based on Wednesday's announcement, these are my early thoughts on what Apple's getting right with the iPhone 16E and what decisions the company's made that confuse me. Apple Intelligence is clearly a major focus for the iPhone 16E, and the A18 processor's inclusion allows for the new phone to be a compelling rival to similarly priced Android options with their own AI features like the $499 Google Pixel 8A, $600 OnePlus 13R and $650 Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. All of these devices tout a similar value: An entry-level phone that lacks certain hardware features to maximize the software experience and new AI features. On paper, this means that the iPhone 16E will not only be capable of the full Apple Intelligence suite -- encompassing GenMoji, text editing and ChatGPT integration -- but also able to run more complex games like Death Stranding and Resident Evil 4 Remake that are otherwise exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and later. The iPhone 16E seems like a fantastic value: you're getting a scaled-down version of the iPhone 16 that costs $200 less. But when the $429 iPhone SE arrived in 2022, customers saved a whopping $300 compared with the $729 iPhone 13 Mini. To be fair, the iPhone SE for that year was quite a different phone from the iPhone 13 Mini, but it gave customers an option to buy an iPhone for under $500. A smaller LED display, home button and single camera were trade-offs that likely appealed to someone who just wanted any new iPhone. Even though the iPhone 16E is closer to the base iPhone 16, $599 still represents a much heftier entry-level price than $429. That alone might drive people to upgrade their iPhone SE from 2020 or 2022 to a used or refurbished device. For instance, a refurbished iPhone 15 on Amazon can be easily found for roughly $570, and it has a second camera (ultrawide) and Dynamic Island despite lacking Apple Intelligence and running on the A16 Bionic chip that debuted in 2022 on the iPhone 14 Pro. The iPhone 16E's most-intended audience is likely existing iPhone SE owners and anyone with an iPhone 11 or earlier. And for those considering this iPhone 16E, you'll have to switch your charging cables from Lightning to USB-C - though the phone comes with a new USB- to USB-C cable. Look, everyone hates replacing their power cables, but the change to USB-C will impact anyone who hasn't already done so. For instance, if your laptop or tablet already uses a USB-C cable to charge, now you can use the same cable for your iPhone. And if you are switching to a USB-C power adapter from the older USB-A power block that Apple used to sell with its phones, you'll get 20-watt wired charging speeds that will be four times faster than what the 5-watt adapter was capable of providing. Apple's MagSafe wireless charging is a fantastic feature that's even more widespread thanks to Qi2 magnetic accessories that are hitting the market. Every major iPhone release since 2020 -- barring the iPhone SE -- has included MagSafe wireless charging that makes the iPhone natively compatible with magnetic docks, cases and wallets. Unfortunately, MagSafe got the chop on the iPhone 16E, and I find it completely shocking. Apple's not even selling a magnetic case to help make up for the omission, whereas Samsung and OnePlus offer first-party magnetic cases for compatibility. Apple's been referring to wireless charging and MagSafe interchangeably for years, and it's strange to see a device capable of Apple Intelligence but not capable of magnetic wireless charging. This does not mean that the iPhone 16E won't work with magnetic accessories. But it does mean you'll need a third-party case that supports magnetic accessories. Apple also announced that the iPhone 16E will be limited to 7.5-watt wireless charging speeds, which is much slower than the 25-watt speeds we're seeing on the iPhone 16 through MagSafe. Apple's iPhone 16E's sleeper best feature might be its satellite connectivity. And while the feature has been available since the iPhone 14, it's new for prior iPhone SE owners making the jump. While it debuted initially for emergency services only, the iPhone's satellite connectivity now allows for standard texting whenever you lose phone signal. This feature became particularly relevant during the Los Angeles wildfires, during which a number of additional satellite services kicked in to help people stay connected in areas where cellular service was affected. But it also comes in clutch in less dire circumstances. For instance, my colleague David Lumb was able to text from a remote hike in Hawaii where cellular service did not exist. While Apple's making a point to tout its new C1 modem as the "most power-efficient" that's ever been in an iPhone, it lacks compatibility with the faster millimeter-wave 5G bands that are available in certain major cities and venues. Whether this will matter depends on the kind of cellular plan you are signed up for, as well as your proximity to an area of the country that has this kind of 5G. If you are considering an upgrade from an iPhone 12 or later, this might be a step back in terms of functionality. But if you upgrade from any iPhone SE, this will matter less because the 2022 iPhone SE also did not include support for 5G millimeter-wave. I'm surprised that ultra-fast 5G support is an area that Apple cut a corner on when similarly shaped iPhone models have included this for years. But it might most have to do with wanting a device that can debut its first in-house 5G modem, which the Wall Street Journal reports took several years to develop. Other cheaper Android phones also omit 5G millimeter-wave support, so it's not unheard of among devices in this price range.

iPhone 16e: Apple's affordable AI dream or expensive distraction?

So Apple went and did it. They killed the 'SE' brand, gave us a so-called budget iPhone named iPhone 16e, and stuck a ₹59,900 price tag on it - yeah you read that right. In an era where all eyes are on fancy foldables, AR glasses, and AI everything, Apple decides to revisit the old make-iPhone-cheaper-but-not-too-cheap playbook. At stake is the multi-billion dollar question of whether the iPhone 16e is a sweet spot for price-conscious smartphone consumers, or is it stuck in no-man's land - expensive for a budget phone, severely compromised compared to Apple's flagship? When Apple launched the iPhone SE as a beacon of affordability, a ₹39,000 device with older internals but a small, beloved form factor, it gained a cult following for those desiring an affordable, vintage version of iPhone. But it never lit up Apple's global sales chart. In fact, data suggests the iPhone SE line accounted for just 1-5% of overall iPhone sales recently. With this context in mind, it makes sense for Apple to try something different. Also read: After iPhone 16e launch, Apple discontinues these iPhones in India So this year, Apple unveils the iPhone 16e, basically scrapping the 'SE' name and saying, trying to tweak the formula with a bigger screen and fresher hardware. But still priced ₹16-17k more than the last SE from 2022. No wonder folks on social media started trolling the iPhone 16e, immediately after its launch announcement, calling the 'e' in iPhone 16 'error' and 'expensive' - far from 'economical'. It definitely makes you wonder what Apple was thinking, right? The answer may lie in the past. Two years after the original iPhone SE was launched in 2016, Apple rolled out the iPhone XR in 2018 as a more "affordable" device that actually sold brilliantly, bridging the gap perfectly between the super-cheap iPhone 8 and the premium iPhone XS at the time. Apple banked on a nice design, large display, decent camera, and a simpler approach to reeling in cost. The result? iPhone XR sales soared, according to Counterpoint Research. At a time when iPhone sales were down 20% on a yearly basis in the month of November 2018, the iPhone XR emerged as the best-selling model, according to reports. As far as Apple's concerned, it hopes the iPhone 16e is a spiritual successor to the iPhone XR, in terms of overall winning formula. Larger screen, latest hardware, but lacking some of the camera perks or design flair of the flagship iPhone 16 and 16 Pro lines. In a price-sensitive market like India, where it's almost ritualistic how folks wait for Diwali or ecommerce discount events to snap up older iPhones at half or two-thirds the cost of the newest model. It's as much about getting a good bargain as it's also about brand aspiration. Smartphone buyers in India seem to want that Apple logo, and if an older model is cheaper, so be it. But does iPhone 16e's bigger, 6.1-inch screen solve the budget conundrum? At ₹59,900, you're paying more than, say, an iPhone 13 you might grab on sale. Is that attractive enough over high-end Android smartphone alternatives? With the iPhone 16e, Apple's definitely closing the chapter on smaller screen iPhones. In India, they're betting that enough people who want to flaunt a new iPhone will pay ₹50-55k (with credit card and exchange discounts) instead of rummaging e-commerce deals for a two-year-old model. The iPhone 16e is Apple's attempt to plug the gap between the old sub-₹50k bracket iPhones and the high-end territory above ₹75k of latest-gen iPhones. Of course, one big difference from the SE line is that the iPhone 16e packs Apple's AI features. With Apple Intelligence (like advanced voice recognition, on-device Siri improvements, better text prediction, etc.), the 16e shares the same chip architecture as the iPhone 16. If you're someone who wants Apple's best new AI smarts at a cheaper price, the iPhone 16e might look appealing. Also read: iPhone 16e: Buy it only for Apple Intelligence, here's why This could be a critical factor going forward, especially since Apple Intelligence is still rolling out and far from fruition. Apple knows that modern hardware is key for Apple Intelligence to compete against Gemini on Android, Google's generative AI, to Samsung's ramping up of its own AI-driven features. Apple doesn't want people to be stuck on an old A13 or A14 chip if it can help it. If Apple needs the iPhone user base to adopt AI en masse, it can't have them linger on old models from 2019. So, from a purely strategic view, the iPhone 16e is Apple's attempt to ensure the user base for Apple Intelligence grows wider fast. Still, the criticisms aren't misplaced. The iPhone 15 is currently very closely priced to the iPhone 16e. If you stretch your budget a bit, you can get a phone that's presumably more advanced in some features or has an extra camera lens. Or you might snag an older iPhone 13 during an online flash sale for much cheaper - still quite capable, not that far behind in performance, but with no Apple Intelligence. Apple's done this dance before - if the iPhone 16e is too cheap, it undercuts the flagship iPhone 16 line. Too expensive, and it fails to woo the so-called "budget" crowd. That creates a tricky balancing act for Apple, depending on how Apple's brand magic works. Global expectations are fairly optimistic, projecting the iPhone 16e might do "slightly better" than the iPhone SE - thanks primarily to its bigger screen, modern design, and Apple Intelligence. The older SE had an older, vintage look (big bezels, home button) and a smaller display that not everyone loved - especially in China and India, where large-screen phones and modern aesthetics matter greatly. Apple's making sure its AI doesn't stay locked behind a paywall so high only premium buyers can cross. The 16e tries to be that middle ground. At the same time, the 'e' rebrand signals Apple stepping away from the concept that a budget iPhone must be sub-₹50,000. Maybe Apple decided sub-₹50,000 doesn't net them the profit margin or brand perception they want here in India. Still, they risk losing out to premium mid-range and high-end Androids, so it's a gamble, one that Apple might afford to make. We won't know for sure until the iPhone 16e starts shipping and consumers vote with their money. Could the iPhone 16e outpace the previous SE, dethroning it as the best "budget" iPhone we've had? Possibly. Or it might flop if the Indian market perceives ₹59,900 as too steep. As much as Apple banks on brand loyalty, let's not forget entire segments of buyers in India are more loyal to their wallets than any one smartphone brand. And for the price of an Apple logo, they're still quite perfectly happy rocking an older iPhone snagged in an online deal.

Apple's iPhone 16e offers Apple Intelligence at a low price point

Apple's new iPhone 16e is the heir apparent to the iPhone SE, with the new model delivering Face ID and Apple Intelligence at a lower price point. Launched on Wednesday, the iPhone 16e is a massive rebranding of the iPhone SE, both in terms of name and specification. While it's unclear at this time what the "e" specifically means, it does at least denote it as possibly an "essential" version of the main iPhone family. It is a major change from the iPhone SE's iPhone 8 design to a much more modern vision. The latest edition now uses the design language used by the iPhone 14, with practically the same size and shape as the two-year-old flagship. While it is very similar, complete with the same aluminum housing, there is one key modernization change. This iteration has USB-C in the base instead of Lightning. That change also means the introduction of the TrueDepth camera array, giving it the same depth capabilities as flagship devices. One other external difference from the iPhone 14 is the rear camera, as Apple doesn't use a dual-camera system on the iPhone 16e at all. There's only one camera, and that also means no actual camera bump on the rear, resulting in a flatter overall device. The camera that does remain is still a major upgrade for the SE model, with the fourth-gen version now using a 48MP imaging sensor. This is effectively the same sensor you'd see used as the main Wide camera on an iPhone 15 or iPhone 16. Arguably the biggest and most important upgrade in the iPhone 16e is a switch to the A18, the same one found in the base version of the iPhone 16. This gives the iPhone 16e the same sort of processing capabilities as the flagships, in a more cost-focused package. The reason for this being important is that it gives consumers a much cheaper entry point to using Apple Intelligence on a smartphone. The previous cheapest Apple Intelligence option consumers could take was the iPad mini at $499. By using a thoroughly modern chip, Apple has made the iPhone 16e powerful enough to use the new generative AI toolsets. This includes features like Writing Tools, image editing in Photos, generative imaging with Image Playground and Genmoji, and summarization tools. Siri is expected to get more improvements beyond supporting ChatGPT, with context awareness set to arrive in a future iOS update. There are two other major improvements in the iPhone 16e over the third-gen SE model. For a start, the battery is much bigger, meaning it has a significantly higher capacity, and therefore a longer usage time versus the original. The other is that it's the first model to use Apple's in-house 5G modem design. Previously known as codename "Sinope," the modem was intended to replace Apple's extensive use of Qualcomm modems in its hardware. With the inclusion in the iPhone 16e, the model is now a test case for Apple, to make sure it got everything right before bringing it to other devices in its hardware catalog. The iPhone 16e is available in black and white options, capacities of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, and starts from $599. Preorders start from February 21, with availability from February 28.

The iPhone 16e won't make sense until its iPad moment

The iPhone line-up is in turmoil right now, but Apple is playing the long game. Unlike my hero Anton Ego, I get very little pleasure from negative criticism. Slamming 2022's 10th-gen iPad for its high price, underwhelming battery life, and lack of a laminated screen hurt me, I'm sure, more than it hurt Tim Cook. And I was delighted a year and a half later when it got a $100 price cut and became, once again, the most recommendable model in the range. It's with a sense of happy optimism, then, that I predict that the iPhone 16e will follow a similarly heartening trajectory. Right now, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. But give it a year... At its launch last week, the iPhone 16e caused more than a few grumblings in the tech sphere. Amid the rush to AI-proof its entire lineup, Apple was forced (or chose) to drastically raise the price of entry into the world of the iPhone, with the cheapest model now costing $599 rather than $429. Whether you think the 16e is a good deal in isolation -- and the single rear camera and lack of MagSafe do make me wonder -- its effect on the ecosystem is surely a negative one. Do we really want to see Apple abandon the budget market and turn its products into exclusive luxuries? In many ways, however, this is a one-off problem. Apple needed to replace the iPhone SE (which had been banned in the EU, along with the iPhone 14, because it doesn't have a USB-C port) and wanted to push Apple Intelligence, which meant the replacement model required an A18 processor and 8GB of RAM. Every new device has to be capable of supporting Apple's AI platform, therefore everything is at least moderately expensive. But Apple Intelligence isn't likely to get more demanding in terms of hardware, at least not soon or suddenly. So this was an obstacle that had to be cleared this once, and things will get easier from now on. Next spring we'll learn whether Apple has altered the cadence of its SE/e phone launches. I think it has, and that we can look forward each spring to an e-branded version of whatever iPhones came out the previous fall. But even if that doesn't happen, spring 2026 is roughly when we can start to think about the 16e getting a $100 price cut, and suddenly making a lot more sense as both a one-off purchase and an entry point to the range. Round about then the iPhone 16e will have its 10th-gen iPad moment: its faults will suddenly seem less of a worry, its strengths more persuasive than ever. Once the iPhone 17 generation arrives in late 2025, things will start to shift back to some kind of normality. There will be more phones on sale at the same time, which will allow Apple to start repopulating the middle and lower end of the range. Don't expect the 16e to get a price cut that soon, but there's a decent chance the iPhone 15, which is really not very appealing at the moment, will drop to the low-cost slot, at least temporarily. The iPhone 16 Pro will most likely disappear, the 16 and 16 Plus should get price cuts, and four shiny new 17-series iPhones will appear at the top (not counting the iPhone 17 Air, which is its own thing). The lineup could look something like this: That's already more coherent than we've got at the moment: a range from which someone has unceremoniously lopped off (and refused properly to replace) the two cheapest phones. But it'll get better still in 2026. Apple needs its new iPhones to be AI-ready now, even if I object to Apple Intelligence being the priority, rather than the needs of customers. But in the long run, customers might end up benefiting too. In 2026, that level of processing power will be more of a necessity. And AI? We humans should cross our fingers that this isn't the case, but AI just might have risen to the level of omnipresence its cheerleaders currently predict. Even beyond AI, part of my current skepticism about the 16e stems from its oddly lopsided feature set, a blend of an older design and specs with state-of-the-art processing. The iPhone 16e is like that not because Apple thought it was the best combination of features for users but because it fits with the Apple Intelligence rollout strategy. But one positive side effect of this thinking is that the 16e is surprisingly well future-proofed for a non-flagship smartphone.

Meet the iPhone 16e: Powerful Features at an Affordable Price

Apple has once again pushed the boundaries of smartphone technology with the introduction of the iPhone 16e, a device that combines innovative features with an accessible price point. This latest addition to the iPhone 16 lineup is powered by the advanced A18 chip, which delivers exceptional performance and efficiency, ensuring a seamless user experience. The iPhone 16e also features Apple's first-ever C1 modem, allowing efficient 5G connectivity for faster downloads and smoother streaming. Photography enthusiasts will be thrilled by the 48MP 2-in-1 Fusion camera system, which allows users to capture stunning photos and videos in various lighting conditions. The camera system includes advanced features such as Night mode, Portrait mode, and HDR, ensuring that every shot is of the highest quality. Additionally, the integration of Apple Intelligence brings a new level of usability to the iPhone 16e, with privacy-focused AI features that enhance the user experience without compromising personal data. One of the most appealing aspects of the iPhone 16e is its affordability. With a starting price of just $599 (U.S.) or $24.95 per month for 24 months, this device is one of the most accessible options in the iPhone 16 lineup. The iPhone 16e is available in two elegant matte finishes -- black and white -- and comes in three storage capacities: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, catering to various user needs and preferences. Apple has made it easy for customers to get their hands on the iPhone 16e, with pre-orders beginning on February 21 and availability starting February 28 in 59 countries and regions, including the U.S., UK, Canada, and India. To further reduce the cost, customers can take advantage of trade-in offers, with up to $599 in credit available depending on the device being traded. This makes the iPhone 16e an even more attractive option for those looking to upgrade their smartphone without breaking the bank. Apple has not compromised on durability with the iPhone 16e. The device features a Ceramic Shield front cover, which offers unparalleled protection against drops and scratches. The back of the iPhone 16e is made from the toughest glass ever used in a smartphone, ensuring that it can withstand the rigors of daily use. Additionally, the IP68 rating provides resistance to water, dust, and splashes, making the iPhone 16e a reliable companion in various environments. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display on the iPhone 16e is a visual delight, offering vibrant colors and sharp contrast. Whether you're streaming your favorite shows, playing games, or reading e-books, the display delivers an immersive experience. Moreover, the iPhone 16e features the best battery life ever seen in a 6.1-inch iPhone, lasting up to 12 hours longer than previous models like the iPhone SE. This means users can enjoy their device for extended periods without worrying about running out of power. The 48MP Fusion camera system on the iPhone 16e is a testament to Apple's commitment to pushing the boundaries of smartphone photography. The integrated 2x Telephoto lens allows users to zoom in with optical quality, effectively giving them two cameras in one. This feature is particularly useful for capturing distant subjects or creating a more intimate framing without sacrificing image quality. The camera system also includes advanced features such as Night mode, which enables users to capture stunning low-light photos, and Portrait mode, which creates a beautiful depth-of-field effect by blurring the background while keeping the subject in sharp focus. The advanced HDR technology ensures that every image has a wide dynamic range, preserving details in both the highlights and shadows. Apple Intelligence, the company's AI technology, introduces a range of innovative tools that enhance the user experience on the iPhone 16e. Clean Up is a powerful photo editing feature that allows users to remove unwanted objects or people from their images with just a few taps. Genmoji enables users to create personalized emojis that resemble their own facial features and expressions, adding a fun and creative element to messaging. The seamless integration of ChatGPT on the iPhone 16e brings a new level of productivity to the device. Users can interact with the AI assistant to perform various tasks, such as composing emails, generating ideas, or even coding. Apple has prioritized user privacy by ensuring that all AI processing takes place on-device and through Private Cloud Compute, keeping personal data secure and confidential. The iPhone 16e offers a wealth of additional features that cater to various user needs and preferences. The Action button provides quick access to frequently used tools such as the camera, flashlight, and Shazam, making it easier than ever to capture moments or identify songs on the go. For those who venture into remote areas or find themselves in emergency situations, the iPhone 16e's groundbreaking satellite capabilities ensure connectivity when traditional cellular networks are unavailable. Users can access Emergency SOS, and Roadside Assistance, send Messages, and even locate their device using the Find My feature via satellite, providing peace of mind and a lifeline when it matters most. The iPhone 16e runs on iOS 18, the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system. This update introduces new levels of customization, allowing users to personalize their devices to suit their individual styles and preferences. iOS 18 also brings enhanced privacy features, giving users greater control over their personal data and ensuring that their information remains secure. Whether you're upgrading from an older iPhone model or making the switch to Apple for the first time, the iPhone 16e offers a compelling combination of affordability, innovation, and performance. With its advanced camera system, powerful AI features, and durable design, this device is designed to cater to a wide range of users, from photography enthusiasts to productivity-focused individuals. As Apple continues to push the boundaries of what's possible with smartphone technology, the iPhone 16e stands as a testament to the company's commitment to making innovative features accessible to a broader audience.

$699?! Why I can't recommend the iPhone 15 to a single type of customer

With a price tag $100 more than the new iPhone 16e, the tradeoffs don't make a lot of sense. With the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple discontinued the iPhone 14 and SE 3 as expected. Upon learning that the new entry-level iPhone now starts at a staggering $599 (up from $429), I was certain Apple would discount the iPhone 15 to around $499 -- effectively replacing the SE model for budget-conscious buyers. Boy, was I wrong. Instead, Apple has the courage to keep selling the iPhone 15 at the same $699 price. It makes no sense. From afar, the iPhone 16e may seem a bit dated compared to the iPhone 15. It is tainted by the controversial notch, packs a single rear camera, and costs $100 less. In reality, both phones share many internal specs and the same main set of features users typically expect -- including the universal USB-C connector. Despite being cheaper than the iPhone 15, the all-new 16e model offers a similar 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, letting you consume crisp media and view true black levels. The two iPhones are also built from aluminum and glass, boasting the same IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. So, in terms of durability and everyday scrolling, the iPhone 15 and 16e are essentially comparable. Given how outdated the iPhone SE 3's rear camera is, the 16e's single-lens setup may scare off potential buyers. Well, worry not, as Apple has equipped it with a 48MP camera, similar to that included with the iPhone 15. So, you can capture 4K video at 60fps, emulate 2x optical zoom without sacrificing the 12MP output quality, take portraits, etc. Your Instagram Stories won't look grainy, and your followers won't mistake it for an Android. Similarly, both the iPhone 15 and 16e pack a 12MP TrueDepth camera, enabling Face ID, Memoji, slo-mo video recording, HDR support, and more. So, the selfies you take on either device should look the same. The two iPhones both have a base storage of 128GB, and you can opt for 256GB or 512GB. While the iPhone 15 and 16e are built on the same foundation, they naturally feature exclusive perks. Surprisingly, the more affordable iPhone 16e includes newer technology absent from the 2023 model. For starters, it's powered by Apple's (binned) A18 chip, featuring 8GB of RAM, 6 CPU cores, 4 GPU cores, and 16 Neural Engine cores. Consequently, the iPhone 16e supports the full Apple Intelligence suite, including Writing Tools, Image Playground, ChatGPT integration, Genmoji, and more. For reference, the iPhone 15 packs an A16 chip, barring it from running Apple's AI system. The iPhone 16e replaces the classic mute switch with the multifunctional Action button, a feature missing from the iPhone 15. So, you get to remap the key to execute custom shortcuts, including conditional tasks that adapt to your location, time of day, and other factors. You can even have it initiate Visual Intelligence, a perk curiously missing on the capable iPhone 15 Pro models. Speaking of chips, the iPhone 16e is the first to pack Apple's C1 modem. While this may sound like an insignificant tidbit aimed at geeks, it actually could impact casual users' daily lives. Thanks to its improved power efficiency, the iPhone 16e boasts the longest battery life among 6.1-inch iPhones. According to Apple's claims, the iPhone 15 and 16e can play video on a single charge for up to 20 hours and 26 hours, respectively. Another noteworthy iPhone 16e perk you won't find on the iPhone 15 is the Audio Mix feature. With this utility, you can control the audio of your video footage to highlight a specific speaker or ambient noise. Coupled with wind noise reduction, you can create better-sounding content without necessarily relying on professional microphones. It goes without saying that the pricier iPhone 15 also packs some features that are excluded from the 16e variant. However, they're arguably not worth the above-mentioned trade-offs and $100 upcharge. Perhaps the most noticeable omission is the Dynamic Island, which keeps Live Activities visible at all times. As an alternative, you could simply check the Notification Center or Lock Screen on your iPhone 16e. Another iPhone 16e absentee is the Ultra Wide lens, which enables the 0.5x zoom on the iPhone 15. This lets users capture more subjects or elements within the camera's frame. While a useful addition, it's hardly essential, and many users rarely take advantage of it. In the video department, the iPhone 15 supports the Action and Cinematic modes. The former stabilizes shaky videos, while the latter adds a depth of field to your footage for subject isolation. Both features are useful -- I personally rely on them -- but choosing the more affordable iPhone 16e means going without them. Otherwise, the iPhone 15 offers the U2 Ultra Wideband chip for Precision Finding and the mmWave technology for superior connectivity. Still, the iPhone 16e offers standard 5G and Find My functionality, so you shouldn't be missing out on much. A more notable con is the lack of embedded magnets, meaning the iPhone 16e doesn't natively support MagSafe and is limited to Qi wireless charging. It also misses out on the vibrant color options and only comes in white and black. Fortunately, MagSafe cases can remedy both flaws on the iPhone 16e. Considering the pros and cons -- and factoring in the price difference -- the iPhone 16e clearly offers more value for less money. While the iPhone 15 does have a few exclusive features, they simply don't compare to the iPhone 16e's future-proof A18 processor. As Apple rolls out more AI-powered tools with iOS 19 and beyond, the iPhone 15 will only become less relevant, as it won't support any of them. If you're not looking to spend $799 on an iPhone 16, the $599 iPhone 16e is the obvious choice. At $699, I can't recommend the iPhone 15 to a single category of customers. Apple should have either dropped its price to $499 or discontinued it entirely.

$699?! Why I can't recommend the iPhone 15 to a single type of customer

With a price tag $100 more than the new iPhone 16e, the tradeoffs don't make a lot of sense. With the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple discontinued the iPhone 14 and SE 3 as expected. Upon learning that the new entry-level iPhone now starts at a staggering $599 (up from $429), I was certain Apple would discount the iPhone 15 to around $499 -- effectively replacing the SE model for budget-conscious buyers. Boy, was I wrong. Instead, Apple has the courage to keep selling the iPhone 15 at the same $699 price. It makes no sense. From afar, the iPhone 16e may seem a bit dated compared to the iPhone 15. It is tainted by the controversial notch, packs a single rear camera, and costs $100 less. In reality, both phones share many internal specs and the same main set of features users typically expect -- including the universal USB-C connector. Despite being cheaper than the iPhone 15, the all-new 16e model offers a similar 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, letting you consume crisp media and view true black levels. The two iPhones are also built from aluminum and glass, boasting the same IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. So, in terms of durability and everyday scrolling, the iPhone 15 and 16e are essentially comparable. Given how outdated the iPhone SE 3's rear camera is, the 16e's single-lens setup may scare off potential buyers. Well, worry not, as Apple has equipped it with a 48MP camera, similar to that included with the iPhone 15. So, you can capture 4K video at 60fps, emulate 2x optical zoom without sacrificing the 12MP output quality, take portraits, etc. Your Instagram Stories won't look grainy, and your followers won't mistake it for an Android. Similarly, both the iPhone 15 and 16e pack a 12MP TrueDepth camera, enabling Face ID, Memoji, slo-mo video recording, HDR support, and more. So, the selfies you take on either device should look the same. The two iPhones both have a base storage of 128GB, and you can opt for 256GB or 512GB. While the iPhone 15 and 16e are built on the same foundation, they naturally feature exclusive perks. Surprisingly, the more affordable iPhone 16e includes newer technology absent from the 2023 model. For starters, it's powered by Apple's (binned) A18 chip, featuring 8GB of RAM, 6 CPU cores, 4 GPU cores, and 16 Neural Engine cores. Consequently, the iPhone 16e supports the full Apple Intelligence suite, including Writing Tools, Image Playground, ChatGPT integration, Genmoji, and more. For reference, the iPhone 15 packs an A16 chip, barring it from running Apple's AI system. The iPhone 16e replaces the classic mute switch with the multifunctional Action button, a feature missing from the iPhone 15. So, you get to remap the key to execute custom shortcuts, including conditional tasks that adapt to your location, time of day, and other factors. You can even have it initiate Visual Intelligence, a perk curiously missing on the capable iPhone 15 Pro models. Speaking of chips, the iPhone 16e is the first to pack Apple's C1 modem. While this may sound like an insignificant tidbit aimed at geeks, it actually could impact casual users' daily lives. Thanks to its improved power efficiency, the iPhone 16e boasts the longest battery life among 6.1-inch iPhones. According to Apple's claims, the iPhone 15 and 16e can play video on a single charge for up to 20 hours and 26 hours, respectively. Another noteworthy iPhone 16e perk you won't find on the iPhone 15 is the Audio Mix feature. With this utility, you can control the audio of your video footage to highlight a specific speaker or ambient noise. Coupled with wind noise reduction, you can create better-sounding content without necessarily relying on professional microphones. It goes without saying that the pricier iPhone 15 also packs some features that are excluded from the 16e variant. However, they're arguably not worth the above-mentioned trade-offs and $100 upcharge. Perhaps the most noticeable omission is the Dynamic Island, which keeps Live Activities visible at all times. As an alternative, you could simply check the Notification Center or Lock Screen on your iPhone 16e. Another iPhone 16e absentee is the Ultra Wide lens, which enables the 0.5x zoom on the iPhone 15. This lets users capture more subjects or elements within the camera's frame. While a useful addition, it's hardly essential, and many users rarely take advantage of it. In the video department, the iPhone 15 supports the Action and Cinematic modes. The former stabilizes shaky videos, while the latter adds a depth of field to your footage for subject isolation. Both features are useful -- I personally rely on them -- but choosing the more affordable iPhone 16e means going without them. Otherwise, the iPhone 15 offers the U2 Ultra Wideband chip for Precision Finding and the mmWave technology for superior connectivity. Still, the iPhone 16e offers standard 5G and Find My functionality, so you shouldn't be missing out on much. A more notable con is the lack of embedded magnets, meaning the iPhone 16e doesn't natively support MagSafe and is limited to Qi wireless charging. It also misses out on the vibrant color options and only comes in white and black. Fortunately, MagSafe cases can remedy both flaws on the iPhone 16e. Considering the pros and cons -- and factoring in the price difference -- the iPhone 16e clearly offers more value for less money. While the iPhone 15 does have a few exclusive features, they simply don't compare to the iPhone 16e's future-proof A18 processor. As Apple rolls out more AI-powered tools with iOS 19 and beyond, the iPhone 15 will only become less relevant, as it won't support any of them. If you're not looking to spend $799 on an iPhone 16, the $599 iPhone 16e is the obvious choice. At $699, I can't recommend the iPhone 15 to a single category of customers. Apple should have either dropped its price to $499 or discontinued it entirely.

I won't be buying an iPhone 16e for anyone in my family, here's why

Table of Contents Table of Contents Apple Intelligence and not much else A hidden drawback The iPhone 16e isn't an ideal device for families Apple's iPhone 16e is a strange duck. When one sits down and considers the specs, it's hard to figure out where it truly fits into Apple's lineup. It's apparent from the name that Apple wants you to see it as the new junior member of the iPhone 16 lineup. That's certainly fair, and it's arguably about time that the iPhone family got a third tier. After all, Apple's chief rivals like Google and Samsung have had their A-series and FE-series phones for years. Recommended Videos Still, Apple has done a disservice to its iPhone fans by creating a somewhat Frankensteinian hybrid of the traditional iPhone SE, the iPhone 14, and the iPhone 16. There are some steps forward here, but there are also some significant steps backward. There's probably only one area where the iPhone 16e truly stands out. If you're a fan of AI -- or at least Apple's take on it -- then the iPhone 16e is now the most affordable way to get access to Apple Intelligence. With how much Apple has been hyping its new AI platform, it's probably not surprising that it made this the priority for the iPhone 16e. It's the one advantage the new model has over anything else in its price range and perhaps the only thing that makes the iPhone 16e special. I probably shouldn't have been too surprised that this would be the focus. After all, Apple began hyping Apple Intelligence for the iPhone 16 lineup weeks before it arrived. The iPhone 16 launched with the AI-barren iOS 18.0 release; the first Apple Intelligence features came in late October with iOS 18.1, but it wasn't until December's iOS 18.2 release that we got most of the set. We're also still waiting for the next phase -- a smarter Siri -- which may not arrive until iOS 18.5. Apple Intelligence and not much else If selling an affordable iPhone with Apple Intelligence was Apple's primary goal, the company certainly hit the mark. However, it also compromised heavily to get there. The iPhone 16e sports the display from the 2022 iPhone 14, including the notch, while lacking MagSafe charging, an ultra wideband chip, mmWave 5G support, and sporting a single camera. While that camera has improved significantly -- it's the same 48-megapixel (MP) Fusion camera used in the iPhone 16 -- it's still only a single lens and has also cut out features like sensor-shift optical image stabilization. Many of these limitations also existed in Apple's iPhone SE lineup, which in some ways is still the spiritual predecessor to the iPhone 16e. However, these things were tolerable in a $429 iPhone; they're much harder to stomach at $599, especially when there was an iPhone 14 in that price slot only two days ago. Leaving aside the most obvious pluses and minuses, like the more powerful A18 chip and more limited camera system, the iPhone 16e omits many subtle things that have been standard iPhone features for so long that we've come to take them for granted. Chief among these is MagSafe, which has been available on nearly every iPhone released since late 2020. Yes, the 2022 iPhone SE 3 omitted it, but that was forgivable in an older iPhone 8-esque design that was still a holdover from the pre-MagSafe days (the 2022 iPhone SE was little more than a spec bump to bring it into the 5G era). It's a much starker omission on a modern iPhone that matches the design of every other iPhone, all of which are MagSafe-capable. A hidden drawback While the lack of MagSafe is annoying, there's another even older feature that Apple has chosen to leave out of the iPhone 16e: ultra wideband. Apple added a U1 Ultra Wideband chip to the iPhone 11 and later brought it to the Apple Watch Series 6. In 2023, it upgraded to a second generation of the chip, colloquially called "U2" by some analysts -- a name Apple avoided for reasons that should be obvious. That's the chip now found in all iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models, and it's also expanded to the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 9, and Ultra 2. Granted, ultra wideband isn't something everyone uses daily, but it offers enough that you may be using it without even realizing it. Here are just a few of the things that are powered by Apple's ultra wideband (UWB) chips: More efficient AirDrop: If you've ever tried to AirDrop something to a friend or family member using a pre-iPhone 11 model, you've probably noticed how it can be challenging to wade through a long list of strangers. The UWB chip solves this by detecting iPhones that are closer to you and putting them at the top of the list. This was the first feature of the U1 chip when it debuted in 2019. NameDrop and Proximity AirDrop: Along the same lines, the ultra wideband chips are used to help the NameDrop and AirDrop process when placing two iPhones in close proximity. That's not to say that these features require a UWB chip -- even the iPhone XS and iPhone XR can take advantage of NameDrop -- but it should work faster on those with UWB capabilities. Precision Finding for AirTags: One of the most powerful features of Apple's item trackers is the ability to zero in on their exact location using Apple's Precision Finding feature. This not only lets you know that your keys are somewhere in your house but can lead you straight to the couch cushion they're buried under. This relies on UWB, so it requires an iPhone 11 or later. It excluded the iPhone SE and now also the iPhone 16e. Users of Apple's newest budget iPhone will be left trying to track down their AirTags by sound. Precision Finding for Friends and Family Members: The new "U2" chip in the 2023 and later iPhone and Apple Watch models extended the AirTags' precision finding to other Apple devices. This feature makes it possible to precisely track down your friends or family members in a crowd, whether that's on a wilderness adventure or in the depths of a busy shopping mall. This same feature also lets you locate your iPhone using your Apple Watch, giving you bearing and distance to find precisely where you left it. Car Keys: This is more of a niche feature since it's limited to higher-end vehicles from a few brands, such as BMW, Genesis, and Mercedes, but these digital keys rely on the UWB chip to do their thing. Some vehicle models will support Car Key over NFC, but this is a much more annoying and cumbersome way to use the technology, which makes it almost pointless. Home Keys: Apple added the ability to store NFC-based digital keys for your front door lock in Apple Wallet in iOS 15. With iOS 18, it's expanded this to UWB home keys, which makes a lot more sense, as you'll be able to unlock your front door without taking your iPhone out of your pocket and tapping it on the lock. There aren't any Home Key-compatible UWB locks on the market yet, but they're on the way. The lack of a UWB chip in the iPhone 16e means it will have little to no support for any of the above Apple features. NameDrop and AirDrop will still work, but not as effectively; keys will only be usable via NFC, requiring you to tap your lock to open it, and AirTags will only be able to play a sound to help you track them down. The iPhone 16e isn't an ideal device for families The iPhone 16e may be part of the iPhone 16 family, but it won't be part of my family. That's because most of the above features are too valuable to give up. Until recently, my teenage daughter had an iPhone 15 Pro. The precision finding feature has proven invaluable when we've been out together, saving the hassle of coordinating meeting up via a series of texts or phone calls. It avoids confusing chats like, "I'm over near the mannequin" ... "Which mannequin" ... "the one with the clothes on." Instead, I can just hit the Find button, my daughter grants the request, and I use the distance and heading to walk directly to her location (and vice-versa if she's trying to figure out where I am). Sadly, my daughter recently had her iPhone stolen, so she's had to fall back to an older iPhone 11 Pro Max. However, that 2019 model still has the U1 chip that allows for the effective use of AirDrop in a crowd and lets her precisely track down her AirTags. Ditto for my wife, who uses an iPhone 14 Pro and also habitually misplaces her iPhone around the home, making the Apple Watch-based finding feature indispensable. You can also bet that a Home Key lock will be in my future once the UWB-equipped ones hit the market. I've been using an August Pro for years, which supports Bluetooth-based proximity unlocking. It works about 98% of the time but fails often enough to be annoying. Home Key with UWB will almost certainly solve that problem, as the shorter and more precise range of ultra wideband makes it far more reliable than the Bluetooth/GPS combo that August relies on to do its thing (the GPS aspect is to ensure you've left your neighbourhood and come back so your door doesn't inadvertently decide to unlock before you pull out of your driveway). When the iPhone 16e first came along, I briefly thought it could be an affordable replacement for my daughter's stolen iPhone 15 Pro. However, I realized that it wasn't going to cut it as soon as I looked at the specs. I'd be better off buying her an iPhone 15 for $100 more since that would have the latest UWB chip, plus a dual-camera system and 15W MagSafe charging support. The iPhone 16e may be a very affordable way to get access to Apple Intelligence in raw dollars, but you're paying that cost in many other ways by the features you're giving up to get Apple's latest AI bells and whistles. I think Apple has set the wrong priorities here, focusing far too heavily on Apple Intelligence in defiance of the other things that make the iPhone great. Time will tell if the rest of the market agrees, but the iPhone 16e isn't a device I'll be purchasing for anyone in my family or even recommending to anyone in my circles. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 deliver far more value for their $100 and $200 price bumps.

Apple Launched the iPhone 16E. Here's What You Get for $599

The iPhone 16E starts at $599 (£599, AU$999), which is $170 more than the previous SE's $429 starting price. By contrast, the regular iPhone 16 starts at $799. The price puts the phone towards the higher end of the affordable phone market, between rivals like the $499 Google Pixel 8A and Samsung's Galaxy S24 FE, which starts at $650. At a time when phone-makers have bet their success on implementing custom artificial intelligence features into their devices faster than their rivals, Apple makes it clear that its AI isn't limited to its expensive flagship devices. Powering the iPhone 16E is Apple's A18 chip (the same one found in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus) so it can run Apple Intelligence. This makes the new Apple phone a rarity: a sub-$600 device that can run the same AI features as its more expensive siblings. Otherwise, the iPhone 16E has a curious value proposition. On paper it seems like an upgrade in nearly every way to the iPhone SE. But it lacks the iPhone SE's main appeals: a low price and a small design. That's not to say that the iPhone 16E isn't worth its $600 starting price, which will no doubt be lower with carrier deals and discounts at launch. But like the old iPhone SE, you have to wonder how long will this phone be relevant for? The iPhone 16E will be available to preorder this Friday, Feb. 21, and will go on sale on Friday, Feb. 28. The iPhone 16E's design is based on the iPhone 14's aluminum body and the back glass has a matte which should help keep fingerprints from accumulating. In lieu of a mute switch, there's an Action button for activating a shortcut. And since the iPhone 16E lacks a Camera Control button, you'll be able to trigger Visual Intelligence searches with the Action button. The phone has a USB-C port for charging (instead of the iPhone 14's Lightning port). The iPhone 16E marks the end of Apple selling a phone with a home button, which defined the first decade of iPhone designs, dating back to the original one. The iPhone 16E also has a 6.1-inch screen, which means that no longer Apple sells a truly small iPhone option. But the screen, locked at a 60Hz refresh rate, seems like a miss by Apple when the majority of budget Android handsets sport high refresh-rate displays starting at 90Hz. Also, note that the iPhone 16E has a screen notch and lacks a Dynamic Island cutout. Oddly the iPhone 16E doesn't come in a color: only black or white. The original iPhone SE launched in 2016 and its design was based on the iPhone 5S. SE stood for "special edition," though over the years some of us have referred to it as "small edition." In 2020, Apple launched the second-generation iPhone SE with a design based on the iPhone 8 but with the A13 Bionic processor from the iPhone 11 series. In 2022, the third-generation iPhone SE launched. Its design was largely similar to the 2020 version, but it had the A15 Bionic chip from the iPhone 13 series. The iPhone 16E also has something no other iPhone has: an Apple-designed 5G modem. It's called the C1 chip and in a launch video on Apple's site, the company claims that it is the "most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone." The C1 modem supports 5G, but not the fast millimeter 5G found in places like stadiums. It will be interesting testing phone calls and data speeds once we get our hands on the iPhone 16E. Apple also says that the combination of the A18 and C1 chip raises the efficiency and adds up to a longer battery life. There are two ways for a phone maker to gain customers: lower a phone's price and lengthen its battery life. While Apple didn't give us a lower price than the SE, its battery life might be the best feature. Again, I look forward to testing the 16E. The new iPhone also lacks support for MagSafe charging and accessories. No MagSafe is a bit of a bummer since that means you can't use magnetic accessories and can only wirelessly charge the phone at a slow 7.5W speed. The iPhone 16E sports a single rear camera with a 48-megapixel sensor. While you don't get even an ultrawide option, the main camera has a high enough resolution to do sensor cropping to offer a 2x magnification - not quite the same as having a second camera, but possibly close. Around the front is a 12-megapixel camera that supports FaceID and has autofocus for selfies. In one sense the iPhone 16E carries the mantle of the SE series and how Apple uses parts of old iPhones to create an affordable one. But that name change also represents a symbolic change from Apple having a cheap phone to Apple having an affordable iPhone 16 -- much like how Samsung has it's Galaxy FE models. With the name change to iPhone 16E, it will be curious to see how Apple handles upgrades. As opposed to the multiple years between iPhone SE releases, will this be a phone that Apple updates yearly? Will there be an iPhone 17E? All this remains to be seen. I am excited to test the iPhone 16E. Please keep an eye for more coverage on the phone at CNET and our review coming soon.

Apple just unveiled the iPhone 16e, here's how it compares to the competition

We compare Apple's new entry-level iPhone to the 2022 iPhone SE, Pixel 8a and Galaxy A35 5G. The new iPhone 16e is designed to get Apple Intelligence into as many hands as possible. The company recently began activating its AI features by default during iOS setup, suggesting a harder push to spur adoption and establish iOS as an AI-first platform. But since Apple Intelligence has up till today only been available on the iPhone 16 series (and just the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max before that), there hasn't been a sub-$600 iPhone that can run the latest suite of tools. So the addition of the $599 iPhone 16e to Apple's lineup isn't surprising. What was slightly unexpected was the framing. The iPhone 16e's arrival was heralded by feverish speculation about a new iPhone SE, which was last released three years ago for a starting price of $429. Though the iPhone 16e is cheaper than the rest of the iPhone 16 family, its price certainly isn't what we might consider "budget" or "entry-level." Apple Intelligence's arrival on a lower-cost iPhone is thanks to one of its biggest upgrades from the SE: the A18 chip (the same processor from the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus). That makes it Apple's cheapest AI-equipped model by $300. However, that's quite a bump up from the (now-retired) iPhone SE's $429. Fortunately, there's no skimping on the Apple Intelligence features for the cheaper model; you get all the AI goodies found in the more expensive iPhones. That includes AI writing tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, Visual Intelligence, ChatGPT integration and notification summaries. The phone has a much bigger display than its predecessor: 6.1 inches, up from the 2022 iPhone SE's mere 4.7 inches. It's also the first entry-level model to adopt modern iPhones' full-screen design with Face ID. (Pour one out for the now-retired home button.) However, it doesn't have the Dynamic Island found on recent higher-end models. It also gets the Action button, the customizable physical shortcut on the phone's side. It debuted in the iPhone 15 Pro series and is found in all iPhone 16 models. The iPhone 16e also complies with EU standards by switching from Lightning to USB-C, which is probably the least surprising thing about it. It also lacks MagSafe charging, sticking with standard Qi wireless charging at up to 7.5W. A list of geeky tech specs doesn't tell the whole story but can still serve as a starting point. Here's how the new entry-level iPhone compares to Apple's previous model and its two biggest Android-running rivals: the Google Pixel 8a and Samsung Galaxy A35 5G. (Although the A35 isn't quite in the same price range, it serves a similar niche in Samsung's lineup.) Update, February 19 2025, 1:46PM ET: This story has been updated to add more context about the iPhone 16e in the intro, covering the speculation that Apple was planning to launch a new model of the iPhone SE.

The iPhone 16e vs. the competition

We compare Apple's new entry-level iPhone to the 2022 iPhone SE, Pixel 8a and Galaxy A35 5G. The new iPhone 16e is designed to get Apple Intelligence into as many hands as possible. Apple recently began activating its AI features by default during iOS setup, suggesting a harder push to spur adoption and establish iOS as an AI-first platform. Putting the company's suite of AI tools on a $599 iPhone should do the trick. Apple Intelligence's arrival on an entry-level iPhone is thanks to one of its biggest upgrades from the SE: the A18 chip (the same processor from the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus). That makes it Apple's cheapest AI-equipped model by $300. However, that's quite a bump up from the (now-retired) iPhone SE's $429. Fortunately, there's no skimping on the Apple Intelligence features for the cheaper model; you get all the AI goodies found in the more expensive iPhones. That includes AI writing tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, Visual Intelligence, ChatGPT integration and notification summaries. The phone has a much bigger display than its predecessor: 6.1 inches, up from the 2022 iPhone SE's mere 4.7 inches. It's also the first entry-level model to adopt modern iPhones' full-screen design with Face ID. (Pour one out for the now-retired home button.) However, it doesn't have the Dynamic Island found on recent higher-end models. It also gets the Action button, the customizable physical shortcut on the phone's side. It debuted in the iPhone 15 Pro series and is found in all iPhone 16 models. The iPhone 16e also complies with EU standards by switching from Lightning to USB-C, which is probably the least surprising thing about it. It also lacks MagSafe charging, sticking with standard Qi wireless charging at up to 7.5W. A list of geeky tech specs doesn't tell the whole story but can still serve as a starting point. Here's how the new entry-level iPhone compares to Apple's previous model and its two biggest Android-running rivals: the Google Pixel 8a and Samsung Galaxy A35 5G. (Although the A35 isn't quite in the same price range, it serves a similar niche in Samsung's lineup.)

Phone 16E Announced: Release Date, Price, Features and Specs

At a time when phone-makers have bet their success on implementing custom artificial intelligence features into their devices faster than their rivals, Apple makes it clear that its AI isn't limited to its expensive flagship devices. Powering the iPhone 16E is Apple's A18 chip (the same one found in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus) so it can run Apple Intelligence. This makes the new Apple phone a rarity: a sub-$600 device that can run the same AI features as its more expensive siblings. Otherwise, the iPhone 16E has a curious value proposition. On paper it seems like an upgrade in nearly every way to the iPhone SE. But it lacks the iPhone SE's main appeals: a low price and a small design. That's not to say that the iPhone 16E isn't worth its $600 starting price, which will no doubt be lower with carrier deals and discounts at launch. But like the old iPhone SE, you have to wonder how long will this phone be relevant for? The iPhone 16E will be available to preorder starting Friday, Feb. 21, and will go on sale on Friday, Feb. 28. Apple announced the new phone on Wednesday, Feb. 19 and these release dates follow Apple's usual iPhone release timeline. The iPhone 16E's design seems to have been inspired in part by the iPhone 14's aluminum body. The back glass is matte, which should help keep fingerprints from accumulating. In lieu of a mute switch, there's an Action button for activating a shortcut. Since the iPhone 16E lacks a Camera Control button, you'll be able to trigger Visual Intelligence searches with the Action button. The phone has a USB-C port for charging (instead of the iPhone 14's Lightning port). The iPhone 16E marks the end of Apple selling a phone with a home button, which defined the first decade of iPhone designs, dating back to the original one. The iPhone 16E also has a 6.1-inch screen, which means that Apple no longer sells a truly small iPhone option. But the screen, locked at a 60Hz refresh rate, seems like a miss by Apple when the majority of budget Android handsets sport high refresh-rate displays starting at 90Hz. Also, note that the iPhone 16E has a screen notch and lacks a Dynamic Island cutout. Oddly the iPhone 16E doesn't come in a color: only black or white. The original iPhone SE launched in 2016 and its design was based on the iPhone 5S. SE stood for "special edition," though over the years some of us have referred to it as "small edition." In 2020, Apple launched the second-generation iPhone SE with a design based on the iPhone 8 but with the A13 Bionic processor from the iPhone 11 series. In 2022, the third-generation iPhone SE launched. Its design was largely similar to the 2020 version but had the A15 Bionic chip from the iPhone 13 series. The iPhone 16E also has something no other iPhone has: an Apple-designed 5G modem. It's called the C1 chip, and in a launch video on Apple's site, the company claims that it is the "most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone." The C1 modem supports 5G, but not the fast millimeter-wave 5G found in places like stadiums. It will be interesting testing phone calls and data speeds once we get our hands on the iPhone 16E. Apple also says that the combination of the A18 and C1 chip raises the efficiency and adds up to a longer battery life. There are two ways for a phone-maker to gain customers: lower a phone's price and lengthen its battery life. While Apple didn't give us a lower price than the SE, its battery life might be the best feature. Again, I look forward to testing the 16E. The new iPhone also lacks support for MagSafe charging and accessories. No MagSafe is a bit of a bummer, since that means you can't use magnetic accessories and can only wirelessly charge the phone at a slow 7.5-watt speed. (It can charge wired at 20 watts, though.) The iPhone 16E sports a single rear camera with a 48-megapixel sensor. While you don't get even an ultrawide option, the main camera has a high enough resolution to do sensor cropping to offer a 2x magnification - not quite the same as having a second camera, but possibly close. Around the front is a 12-megapixel camera that supports Face ID and has autofocus for selfies. In one sense the iPhone 16E carries the mantle of the SE series and how Apple uses parts of old iPhones to create an affordable one. But that name change also represents a symbolic change from Apple having a cheap phone to Apple having an affordable iPhone 16 -- much like how Samsung has its Galaxy FE models. With the name change to iPhone 16E, it will be curious to see how Apple handles upgrades. As opposed to the multiple years between iPhone SE releases, will this be a phone that Apple updates yearly? Will there be an iPhone 17E? All this remains to be seen. I am excited to test the iPhone 16E, so keep an eye out for more coverage on the phone at CNET and our review coming soon.

Apple unveils new iPhone 16e: Here's everything you need to know - 9to5Mac

Apple has officially taken the wraps off of the all-new iPhone 16e. The device features an all-new design paired with the A18 chip inside, a 48MP camera, and full Apple Intelligence support. It also features the first-ever Apple-designed 5G cellular modem, the C1 chip. The new iPhone 16e starts at $599 for 128GB and will be available to pre-order Friday, with the first orders arriving on February 28. The iPhone 16e features a 6.1-inch OLED display with a notch. There's also Face ID support integrated into that notch. You'll find a USB-C port at the bottom for charging and data transfer. The device also features the Action button instead of the classic mute switch. In terms of performance, the iPhone 16e is powered by the latest A18 chip. Apple says the 6-core CPU is up to 80 percent faster than the A13 Bionic chip on iPhone 11. There's also a 4-core CPU and a 16-core Neural Engine. Apple says the Neural Engine "is optimized for large generative models and runs machine learning (ML) models up to 6x faster than A13 Bionic." As such, the new iPhone 16e offers full support for Apple Intelligence. This includes things like Genmoji, Writing Tools, Clean Up in the Photos app, ChatGPT integration, and more. You can also access Visual Intelligence via the Action button. Notably, the iPhone 16e features the C1 modem, the first cellular modem designed by Apple. The company says: Expanding the benefits of Apple silicon, C1 is the first modem designed by Apple and the most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone, delivering fast and reliable 5G cellular connectivity. Apple silicon -- including C1 -- the all-new internal design, and the advanced power management of iOS 18 all contribute to extraordinary battery life. On the back of the iPhone 16e, you'll find a single 48MP Fusion camera with an integrated 2x Telephoto option. By default, the iPhone 16e will take high-resolution 24MP photos, but you can also choose to take 48MP images. The integrated 2x Telephoto option lets you zoom in and retain that high-resolution image quality without having a second dedicated physical camera. There's also support for HDR, Portrait mode, and Night mode. The iPhone 16e also features a 12MP True Depth front-facing camera with support for autofocus. As for video quality, the iPhone 16e offers 4K with Dolby Vision up to 60 frames per second. It records in Spatial Audio and supports Audio Mix to let users adjust the audio after the fact: iPhone 16e takes stunning videos with the ability to record in 4K with Dolby Vision up to 60 fps, and users can stop and restart a recording for more flexibility when capturing the moment. iPhone 16e also records video in Spatial Audio for immersive listening with AirPods, Apple Vision Pro, or a surround sound system, and enables more ways to edit video sound with Audio Mix. Users can adjust their sound after capture to focus on the voice of the person on camera, make it sound like the video was recorded inside a professional studio, or position vocal tracks in the front and environmental noises in surround sound. With wind noise reduction, powerful ML algorithms automatically reduce unwanted noise for better audio quality. More iPhone 16e tidbits: The new iPhone 16e will be available for pre-order starting Friday, February 21. The first orders will arrive on Friday, February 28. Pricing starts at $599 for 128GB of storage. It's available in black and white color options. Apple's newest iPhone is a milestone for several reasons. The new C1 cellular modem is also a notable accomplishment for Apple. The company has been working on its cellular modem technology for years, which marks the first time we see it in an iPhone. It's a big step toward Apple reducing - and eventually eliminating - its reliance on Qualcomm. Another element to the equation is Apple Intelligence. Apple is betting big on its suite of AI features to spur people to buy new iPhones. Analysts and researchers expect Apple Intelligence to be a big driver for iPhone sales, even as some of the most impressive features aren't yet available. What do you think of the new iPhone 16e? Did Apple tick all of the right boxes to make it a hit product? Let us know down in the comments.

The iPhone 16e gives you Apple Intelligence for $599

The entry-level iPhone has Face ID, an Action Button and the A18 chip. After three years, Apple has finally unveiled its next entry-level iPhone. The iPhone 16e takes over for the iPhone SE in the company's lineup. It borrows the blueprint of the iPhone 14 and spices it up with (among other changes) an updated processor that's ready for Apple Intelligence. At $599, it's the cheapest AI-equipped iPhone by $300. As leaks suggested, the fourth-generation iPhone 16e resembles the iPhone 14, the company's 2023 standard (non-Pro) model. This is the first entry-level model to adopt the iPhone's modern full-screen design. That means it's also the first with Face ID. At 6.1 inches, this is the biggest screen yet on an entry-level model. (The 2022 iPhone SE is only 4.7 inches.) But like Apple's 2017 to 2022 flagships, it has the notch at the top of the display, so you'll still have to pay for a more expensive model to get Dynamic Island. Some external details differ from those of the iPhone 14. It has a USB-C port instead of Lightning, and like older iPhone SE models, it has only a single camera lens on the back. However, it's a 48MP "2-in-1" with integrated 2x zoom capabilities, which is quite an upgrade over the last SE. It also gets the Action button, the customizable physical shortcut button that debuted on the iPhone 15 Pro. On the other hand, it lacks the MagSafe charging found on Apple's more expensive handsets: It only supports Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W. That aligns with the iPhone SE it replaces, but it could still be a big drawback for some buyers. One of the biggest differences is inside, where you'll find the A18 chip -- the same one powering the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. In addition to fast and smooth performance, the A18 enables Apple Intelligence, which the company recently began activating by default during onboarding. (You can still turn it off in Settings.) You get Apple's generative AI writing tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, Visual Intelligence, ChatGPT integration and the recently tweaked notification summaries -- all in a sub-$600 iPhone. Not bad if you're into those things. The new iPhone SE comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage tiers. You can order it in black and white finishes. At $599, the 2025 iPhone SE is priced comparably to Google's $499 Pixel 8a and Samsung's $400 Galaxy A35 for those wanting flagship-esque features in a more affordable handset. You can pre-order the new iPhone SE starting on February 21 at 8AM ET, ahead of its February 28 ship date.

Apple unveils iPhone 16e -- a new, lower-cost addition to its iPhone 16 lineup. Here are details.

Apple on Wednesday debuted its iPhone 16e, a lower-cost addition to the tech giant's iPhone 16 lineup that features Apple Intelligence tools. The iPhone 16e replaces the iPhone SE, last released in 2022, which was Apple's budget-friendly iPhone option. At $599, the starting price for the iPhone 16e is less than the $800 it costs for a standard iPhone 16, but more than the SE, which sold for $430. The new phone is powered by Apple's own cellular modem chip, called the C1, which processes the phone's AI features. The tools can summarize text and audio, create new emojis and has made Apple's virtual assistant, Siri, more capable. Apple also touted the new phone's more powerful battery and camera, compared with the now discontinued SE. Pre-ordering begins Friday for the iPhone 16e, which will be available in stores Feb. 28. "We're so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people," Apple Vice President Kaiann Drance said in a statement. Apple began hyping its foray into AI since last June, and has rolled out new features piecemeal. The complete set of high tech capabilities has not yet been fully released in the U.S, and the technology isn't even available in some parts in the world. Apple has been losing ground in China, one of the places where iPhone's AI technology is not yet available. It's unclear when it will be released in there. In addition to being outfitted with AI capabilities, the iPhone 16e has a 16.1-inch display screen, and no longer has the home screen button familiar to SE owners. The new iPhone 16e will include a facial recognition option for unlocking the device. Apple shares edged up to nearly $245 as of Wednesday afternoon, below the stock's peak price of roughly $260 reached in late December.

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 announces a new, lower-cost addition to its iPhone 16 lineup. Here are the details.

Apple on Wednesday debuted its iPhone 16e, a lower-cost addition to the tech giant's iPhone 16 lineup that features Apple Intelligence tools. The iPhone 16e replaces the iPhone SE, last released in 2022, which was Apple's budget-friendly iPhone option. At $599, the starting price for the iPhone 16e is less than the $800 it costs for a standard iPhone 16, but more than the SE, which sold for $430. The new phone is powered by Apple's own cellular modem chip, called the C1, which processes the phone's AI features. The tools can summarize text and audio, create new emojis and has made Apple's virtual assistant, Siri, more capable. Apple also touted the new phone's more powerful battery and camera, compared with the now discontinued SE. Pre-ordering begins Friday for the iPhone 16e, which will be available in stores Feb. 28. "We're so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people," Apple Vice President Kaiann Drance said in a statement. Apple began hyping its foray into AI since last June, and has rolled out new features piecemeal. The complete set of high tech capabilities has not yet been fully released in the U.S, and the technology isn't even available in some parts in the world. Apple has been losing ground in China, one of the places where iPhone's AI technology is not yet available. It's unclear when it will be released in there. In addition to being outfitted with AI capabilities, the iPhone 16e has a 16.1-inch display screen, and no longer has the home screen button familiar to SE owners. The new iPhone 16e will include a facial recognition option for unlocking the device. Apple shares edged up to nearly $245 as of Wednesday afternoon, below the stock's peak price of roughly $260 reached in late December.

iPhone 16E vs. iPhone 16: Here Are All the Specs Compared

The $599 iPhone 16E is powered by the same A18 chip as the $799 iPhone 16. It also comes with iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence. Preorders on the 16E start Friday, with availability beginning Feb. 28. Here's how else the iPhone 16E compares to the baseline iPhone 16, from battery life to cameras to AI, and everything in between. The iPhone 16E and iPhone 16 both have a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate. The 16E has a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, while the 16 reaches 2,000 nits. A ceramic shield front and glass back are featured on each phone. The devices have an aluminum design and weigh nearly the same, with the iPhone 16E clocking in at 167g, and the iPhone 16 weighing 170g. Both phones also have an Action button, but only the iPhone 16 has a Camera Control button. Dynamic Island is also limited to the pricier baseline model. The devices each have an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. Apple's drops the home button on its new budget phone in favor of Face ID, just like the iPhone 16. Both devices also have a USB-C port, and no headphone jack. The iPhone 16E comes in black and white, while the iPhone 16 comes in black, white, pink, teal and ultramarine. Both the iPhone 16E and 16 come in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB options. Apple touts that the 16E can get up to 26 hours of video playback and 21 hours of streamed video playback, while the 16 will last for up to 22 hours of video playback and 18 hours of streamed video playback. One of the reasons behind the cheaper iPhone's longer battery life is because it runs on Apple's very first 5G modem called C1. The company says its C1 modem is the "most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone" and as a result helps lengthen the phone's battery life. They each support 20W wired charging. The iPhone 16E supports 7.5W Qi wireless charging, while the iPhone 16 is capable of 15W Qi2 charging, as well as MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with a 30W adapter or higher. You'll find a 48-megapixel wide camera on both the iPhone 16E and iPhone 16, as well as a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera on the 16. To make up for its lower camera count, the 16E (as does the iPhone 16) uses sensor cropping to get a 2x magnification for better zoomed-in shots. Both phones have a 12-megapixel front-facing camera. You can shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second on each device, though you'll only be able to record 1080p spatial video at 30 frames per second on the iPhone 16. One of the biggest upgrades to Apple's lower-priced iPhone is the inclusion of Apple Intelligence -- which was previously confined to iPhone 15 Pro models and the iPhone 16 lineup. Now, you can spend less and still get access to features like a smarter Siri, writing tools and the Clean Up tool in photos. This move signals Apple's eagerness to get its AI suite into more people's hands, and indicates that AI is now a core component of any iPhone, from the cheapest option to the most premium. Check out the spec chart below for more details on each phone.

The iPhone 16E Launches for $599 With AI and Apple's C1 Modem

Patrick's play The Cowboy is included in the Best American Short Plays 2011-12 anthology. He co-wrote and starred in the short film Baden Krunk that won the Best Wisconsin Short Film award at the Milwaukee Short Film Festival. A new iPhone in February?! Apple launched the iPhone 16E on its site Wednesday bringing a much needed overhaul to the iPhone SE (2022) with an all new design, processor and Apple Intelligence. The iPhone 16E starts at $599 which is $170 more than the previous SE's $429 starting price. By contrast the regular iPhone 16 starts at $799. The price puts the phone more at the higher end of the affordable phone space between rivals like the $499 Google's Pixel 8A and Samsung's Galaxy S24 FE which starts at $650. The iPhone 16E will be available to preorder on Friday Feb. 21 and will go on sale on Friday Feb. 28. The iPhone 16E's design is based on the iPhone 14's body and in lieu of a mute switch there's an Action button for activating a shortcut. Since the iPhone 16E lacks a Camera Control button, you'll be able to trigger Visual Intelligence searches with the Action button. The phone has a USB-C port (instead of the iPhone 14's lightning port). The iPhone 16E's design marks the end of Apple selling a phone with a home button which defined the first decade of the iPhone design dating back to the original one. The iPhone 16E has a 6.1-inch screen which means that no longer Apple sells a truly small iPhone option. But the screen, locked at a 60Hz refresh rate, seems like a miss by Apple when a majority of budget Android handsets sport high refresh-rate displays starting at 90Hz. At a time when phone makers have bet their success on implementing custom artificial intelligence features faster than their rivals, Apple makes it clear that its AI isn't limited to its expensive flagship devices. Powering the iPhone 16E is Apple's A18 chip (the same one found in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus) which means the phone can run Apple Intelligence. This makes the new Apple phone a rarity: a sub-$600 that can run the same AI features as more expensive siblings. The iPhone 16E has something no other iPhone has: an Apple designed 5G modem. It's called the C1 chip and in a launch video on Apple's site, the company claims that it is the "most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone." Apple also says that the combination of the A18 and C1 chip raises the efficiency and adds to a longer battery life. The original iPhone SE launched in 2016 and its design was based on the iPhone 5S. SE stood for "special edition" though over the years some of us have adopted it to mean "small edition." In 2020, Apple launched a 2nd-generation iPhone SE with a design based on the iPhone 8 but with the A13 Bionic processor from the iPhone 11 series. In 2022, a 3rd generation iPhone SE launched. Its design was largely similar to the 2020 version but it had the A15 Bionic chip from the iPhone 13 series. With the name change to iPhone 16E, it will be curious to see how Apple handles upgrades. As opposed to the multiple years between iPhone SE releases, will this be a phone that Apple updates yearly? Like will there be an iPhone 17E? All this remains to be seen.

iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 14: A Detailed Comparison

The iPhone 16e emerges as a successor to both the iPhone 14 and the iPhone SE (3rd generation), blending notable upgrades with a few compromises. For anyone considering an upgrade, understanding the distinctions between these models is crucial. This comparison video from Matt Talks Tech highlights the key features of the iPhone 16e and iPhone 14, helping you determine which device aligns best with your preferences and needs. Both the iPhone 16e and iPhone 14 feature a 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 2532 x 1170, offering sharp visuals at 460 pixels per inch (PPI). The HDR brightness peaks at 1,200 nits, making sure vivid colors and excellent contrast for media consumption and everyday use. However, neither model includes the Dynamic Island feature, retaining the traditional notch design. The refresh rate remains at 60Hz, which, while functional, feels dated compared to higher-end models that offer smoother scrolling and animations. For users who prioritize a consistent and reliable display, both devices deliver a comparable experience. The iPhone 16e introduces the A18 chip, a significant upgrade from the A15 Bionic chip found in the iPhone 14. With its 6-core CPU and 4-core GPU, the A18 ensures faster processing speeds and enhanced graphics performance, making it ideal for demanding tasks such as gaming, video editing, and multitasking. Additionally, the iPhone 16e comes equipped with 8GB of RAM, compared to the 6GB in the iPhone 14. This increase in memory allows for smoother app transitions and improved performance when running multiple applications simultaneously. For users seeking a device capable of handling intensive workloads, the iPhone 16e offers a clear advantage. Both models house a 3,279mAh battery, but the iPhone 16e uses its A18 chip and the new C1 coprocessor to deliver superior battery efficiency. The iPhone 16e offers up to 26 hours of video playback, compared to the 20 hours provided by the iPhone 14. This improvement translates to longer usage times between charges, making the iPhone 16e a better choice for users who rely heavily on their devices throughout the day. Whether you're streaming, gaming, or working on the go, the iPhone 16e ensures extended performance without frequent recharging. The iPhone 16e introduces a USB-C port, replacing the Lightning port found on the iPhone 14. This change aligns with industry trends and offers faster data transfer speeds and broader compatibility with accessories. Both models support 27W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, making sure quick and convenient power-ups. However, the iPhone 16e does not support MagSafe, a feature available on the iPhone 14. For users who rely on MagSafe accessories, such as magnetic chargers or wallets, this omission could be a deciding factor. The shift to USB-C, however, positions the iPhone 16e as a more future-proof option for connectivity. The iPhone 16e features a single 48MP wide camera, delivering improved detail and 2x zoom capabilities. This setup excels in capturing sharp, high-resolution images, making it a strong contender for photography enthusiasts. In contrast, the iPhone 14 offers a dual-camera system with a 12MP wide and a 12MP ultra-wide lens, providing greater versatility for capturing expansive landscapes or group shots. Both models share the same 12MP front-facing camera, making sure consistent quality for selfies and video calls. While the iPhone 16e focuses on image clarity, the iPhone 14's dual-camera system offers more flexibility for creative photography. The iPhone 16e introduces advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities powered by Apple Intelligence. These features enhance tasks such as photo editing, voice recognition, and predictive text input, making the device more intuitive and efficient. The iPhone 14 lacks these AI-driven enhancements, positioning the iPhone 16e as a more future-ready device for users who value smart technology integration. Whether you're editing photos or using voice commands, the iPhone 16e's AI features provide a seamless and intelligent experience. Both models maintain an IP68 water resistance rating, offering protection against dust and splashes. The iPhone 16e is slightly lighter at 167 grams compared to the iPhone 14's 172 grams, providing a more comfortable grip for extended use. Despite this minor weight difference, the overall design remains largely unchanged, with both devices featuring a sleek and durable build. For users who appreciate a familiar aesthetic with practical refinements, either model will meet expectations. Connectivity options remain identical on both devices, with support for Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6. These features ensure fast and reliable wireless connections for streaming, file transfers, and other tasks. Whether you're connecting to accessories or accessing high-speed internet, both models deliver a consistent and dependable experience. Both the iPhone 16e and iPhone 14 offer storage capacities ranging from 128GB to 512GB, catering to a variety of user needs. Whether you require ample space for apps, photos, or videos, either device provides sufficient flexibility to accommodate your storage requirements. The iPhone 16e starts at $599, matching the reduced price of the iPhone 14 before its discontinuation. This pricing makes the iPhone 16e an attractive option for users seeking modern features at a competitive price point. For those upgrading from older models, the iPhone 16e offers a compelling balance of performance and affordability. The iPhone 16e delivers meaningful upgrades in processing power, battery efficiency, and AI capabilities, all while maintaining the same price as the iPhone 14. However, it sacrifices features like the ultra-wide camera and MagSafe compatibility. For users upgrading from older models, such as the iPhone SE (3rd generation) or earlier, the iPhone 16e provides a well-rounded mix of performance and value. For current iPhone 14 users, the decision to upgrade depends on individual priorities. If AI features and improved battery life are essential to you, the iPhone 16e is worth considering. Otherwise, the iPhone 14 remains a practical and capable choice. Advance your skills in iPhone 16e vs iPhone 14 comparison by reading more of our detailed content.

Apple Launches iPhone 16E for $599 With AI and First 5G Modem

A new iPhone in February?! Apple launched the iPhone 16E on its site Wednesday bringing a much needed overhaul to the iPhone SE (2022) with an all new design, processor and Apple Intelligence. The iPhone 16E starts at $599 which is $170 more than the previous SE's $429 starting price. By contrast the regular iPhone 16 starts at $799. The price puts the phone more in the limbo space between rivals like the $499 Google's Pixel 8A and Samsung's Galaxy S24 FE which starts at $650. The iPhone 16E's design is based on the iPhone 14's body and in lieu of a mute switch there's an Action button. Since the iPhone 16E lacks a Camera Control button, you'll be able to trigger Visual Intelligence searches with the Action button. The phone has a USB-C port (instead of the iPhone 14's lightning port). The iPhone 16E's design marks the end of Apple selling a phone with a home button which defined the first decade of the iPhone design dating back to the original one. The iPhone 16E has a 6.1-inch screen which means that no longer Apple sells a truly small iPhone option. But the screen, locked at a 60Hz refresh rate, seems like a miss by Apple when a majority of budget Android handsets sport high refresh-rate displays starting at 90Hz. At a time when phone makers have bet their success on implementing custom artificial intelligence features faster than their rivals, Apple makes it clear that its AI isn't limited to its expensive flagship devices. Powering the iPhone 16E is Apple's A18 chip (the same one found in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus) which means the phone can run Apple Intelligence. This makes the new Apple phone a rarity: a sub-$600 that can run the same AI features as more expensive siblings.

Apple iPhone 16e Announced With A18 Chip, Apple Intelligence, Starting At $599: Features, Availability And More - Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)

Cupertino tech giant Apple Inc. AAPL on Thursday announced the iPhone 16e, an affordable iPhone offering that replaces the third-generation iPhone SE. What Happened: Apple CEO Tim Cook appeared in a video posted by the company to announce the new budget-friendly iPhone. The smartphone replaces the iPhone SE that was launched in 2022 and comes with several improvements. iPhone 16e Price And Availability: The iPhone 16e has been priced starting at $599. The device will be available for pre-orders starting from Feb.21 and will go on sale from Feb. 28. It comes in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options and is available in five colors: Black, Fuchsia, Lake Green, White, and Winter Blue. iPhone 16e Specifications: The iPhone 16e runs on iOS 18 and features a 6.1-inch OLED display, an upgrade from the 4.7-inch LCD on the third-generation iPhone SE. See Also: Apple Supplier Foxconn's Efforts To Make iPhones In India Thwarted By Tech And Talent Exports: Report The device is powered by the A18 chipset, which includes a 6-core CPU, a 4-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. It supports Apple Intelligence, the company's suite of AI features that enhance text, image, and video processing, along with a more advanced version of Siri. Additionally, the iPhone 16e debuts Apple's first custom modem, the C1, which the company says is the most power-efficient modem in an iPhone to date. The smartphone features a 48MP camera at the back with support for HDR, portrait mode, and the ability to record 4K videos at 60 frames per second. On the front, the device sports a 12MP sensor. The iPhone 16e is equipped with a lithium-ion battery that is said to offer up to 26 hours of video playback on a single charge. Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by following this link. Read Next: Mark Zuckerberg Follows Elon Musk's Footsteps As Meta Reportedly Plans Major Investment Into AI-Powered Humanoid Robots Photo courtesy: Apple AAPLApple Inc$244.780.13%Overview Rating:Good75%Technicals Analysis1000100Financials Analysis600100WatchlistOverviewMarket News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Apple announces the iPhone 16e with Apple Intelligence for $599

The "cheapest" iPhone has Face ID, an Action Button and the A18 chip. After three years, Apple has finally unveiled its next entry-level iPhone. The iPhone 16e takes over for the iPhone SE in the company's lineup. It borrows the blueprint of the iPhone 14 and spices it up with (among other changes) an updated processor that's ready for Apple Intelligence. At $599, it's the cheapest AI-equipped iPhone by $300. As leaks suggested, the fourth-generation iPhone 16e resembles the iPhone 14, the company's 2023 standard (non-Pro) model. This is the first entry-level model to adopt the iPhone's modern full-screen design. That means it's also the first with Face ID. At 6.1 inches, this is the biggest screen yet on an entry-level model. (The 2022 iPhone SE is only 4.7 inches.) But like Apple's 2017 to 2022 flagships, it has the notch at the top of the display, so you'll still have to pay for a more expensive model to get Dynamic Island. Some external details differ from those of the iPhone 14. It has a USB-C port instead of Lightning, and like older iPhone SE models, it has only a single camera lens on the back. However, it's a 48MP "2-in-1" with integrated 2x zoom capabilities, which is quite an upgrade over the last SE. It also gets the Action button, the customizable physical shortcut button that debuted on the iPhone 15 Pro. On the other hand, it lacks the MagSafe charging found on Apple's more expensive handsets: It only supports Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W. That aligns with the iPhone SE it replaces, but it could still be a big drawback for some buyers. One of the biggest differences is inside, where you'll find the A18 chip -- the same one powering the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. In addition to fast and smooth performance, the A18 enables Apple Intelligence, which the company recently began activating by default during onboarding. (You can still turn it off in Settings.) You get Apple's generative AI writing tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, Visual Intelligence, ChatGPT integration and the recently tweaked notification summaries -- all in a sub-$600 iPhone. Not bad if you're into those things. The new iPhone SE comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage tiers. You can order it in black and white finishes. At $599, the 2025 iPhone SE is priced somewhat comparably to Google's $499 Pixel 8a and Samsung's $400 Galaxy A35 for those wanting flagship-esque features in a more affordable handset. You can pre-order the new iPhone SE starting on February 21 at 8AM ET, ahead of its February 28 ship date.

'Powerful, More Affordable Option': Apple Reveals Its New Budget iPhone 16e, the iPhone SE's Successor

Apple is launching the $599 phone as an affordable alternative in the iPhone 16 lineup, which ranges in price from $799 to $1,599. Apple has a new affordable iPhone option to replace its 2022 iPhone SE: the iPhone 16e. Apple announced the new 6.1-inch phone on Wednesday in a press release, touting its upgraded features and compatibility with Apple Intelligence, Apple's suite of AI features that enable users to do a host of tasks, including removing distracting objects from photos, cleaning up writing in emails, and generating custom emojis. The iPhone 16e provides Apple Intelligence capabilities at the lowest price on the market. So far, only the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max and the iPhone 16 lineup have Apple Intelligence, but these phones range in price from $799 to $1,599, compared to the iPhone 16e's starting price point of $599. Related: Apple Is Adding ChatGPT to iPhones This Week. Here's How It Works. "We're so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the [iPhone 16] lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people," Kaiann Drance, Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing, stated in the press release. The iPhone 16e also corrects one of the biggest weaknesses of the iPhone SE: poor battery life. Compared to the SE, the 16e has 12 more hours of battery life for a total of 26 hours of video playback. Apple says in the press release that the 16e has "the best battery life ever on a 6.1-inch iPhone," lasting 6 hours longer than the iPhone 11. The home button and touch ID on the iPhone SE are gone too -- the 16e is a more modern-looking iPhone. It also has a bigger display at 6.1 inches, compared to the SE's 4.7 inches, and comes with the latest A18 chip used by the iPhone 16 instead of the A15 chip used in the SE for faster processing. Related: Apple Is Reportedly Creating New Foldable iPads and iPhones. Here Are the Details. All of those upgrades come at a price. The iPhone 16e is still $170 more than the $429 iPhone SE, raising the bar of what it means for a phone to be called "affordable." Budget AI phones from competitors are sold at lower price points. For example, an unlocked Google Pixel 8a with AI retails for $399. Preorders for the iPhone 16e start at 5 a.m. PT on February 21. The phone will be generally available on February 28 and comes in black and white with storage options of 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB. Apple CEO Tim Cook first teased the new iPhone on February 13, writing in a post on X, "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family. Wednesday, February 19."

iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Which One to Choose?

The iPhone 16e price in India starts at Rs 59,900 The iPhone 16 5G price starts at Rs 79,900 Here's which one is a better option to consider Apple has added an all-new affordable model to its iPhone 16 range. Yes, we are talking about the iPhone 16e. The latest iPhone model from the Cupertino-based giant brings all the latest features and offers a much cheaper price tag than the current flagship iPhone 16 series. The newest iPhone 16e provides an OLED display, FaceID, the latest A18 chipset, Apple Intelligence support, an action button, and more. So, does it make sense to go for the new iPhone 16e or consider the iPhone 16 instead? In order to help you make informed decisions, we have put both devices against each other to see which one is meant for whom. So, without further ado, let's get started. The iPhone 16e's price in India starts at Rs. 59,900 for the 128GB storage option. The 256GB model is available for Rs. 69,900. A top-end variant with 512GB storage costs Rs. 89,900. The iPhone 16 price in India starts at Rs. 79,900 for the 128GB storage option. The 256GB model is available for Rs. 89,900. There is also a top-end variant that comes with a price tag of Rs. 1,09,900. That said, one can get the iPhone 16 for as low as Rs. 69,999 on the online platform Flipkart at the time of writing. The iPhone 16e has a sleek design language, which looks similar to the older iPhone models with a notch. The front panel comes with a large notch, while the back panel features a single camera module with an LED flash. The handset comes with an IP68 rating, which makes it water and dust-resistant. The handset is available in two colour options, including Black and White. The iPhone 16 comes with a slightly modern design language. The rear panel comes with vertically aligned dual cameras, while the front features the Dynamic Island. The iPhone 16 also offers a customisable Action Button and a Camera Button to control different camera functions. The model also comes with an IP68 rating. The iPhone 16 is available in Back, White, Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine colour options. The phone measures 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80mm and weighs 199 grams. The iPhone 16e has a 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 1170x2532 pixels. It also offers up to 1200nits of peak brightness, HDR, True Tone, and Ceramic Shield protection. The iPhone 16 also has a 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display. The screen offers a resolution of 1179x2556 pixels. Moreover, the handset comes with up to 2000nits of peak outdoor brightness, HDR, True Tone display, and the latest generation of Ceramic Shield protection. Both models are powered by the latest Apple A18 processor. The newest chipset is built using a 3nm process and offers a 16-core Neural Engine. However, there is a slight difference in the GPU section. The iPhone 16e features a 4-core GPU, while the iPhone 16 features a 5-core GPU. Apart from this, both models offer up to 512GB of internal storage. Moreover, both the devices run on iOS 18 and support Apple Intelligence AI features. The iPhone 16e features a 2-in-1 48-megapixel rear camera. This means the camera will function as a wide-angle and telephoto lens to take 2x telephoto shots. The front offers a 12-megapixel TrueDepth camera with f/1.9 aperture. The iPhone 16e can record 4K video recording up to 60fps. The iPhone 16 comes equipped with a dual-camera setup on the rear panel. The device features a 48-megapixel Fusion camera with f/1.6 aperture that also doubles as a 2x telephoto lens coupled with a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor with f/2.2. On the front, the device features a 12-megapixel TrueDepth shooter for selfies and video calling. The iPhone 16 can record 4K video recording up to 60fps. In terms of battery, the iPhone 16e comes with a lithium-ion battery that can deliver up to 26 hours of video playback. The handset also comes with a USB Type-C port for fast charging. The iPhone 16 also features a lithium-ion battery that can deliver up to 22 hours of video playback. To conclude, both devices are meant for different audiences. Those who want to explore Apple Intelligence features without spending too much on the new iPhone 16 series can consider the iPhone 16e. The newest iPhone model brings almost a similar display and processor. However, the iPhone 16 is meant for those who want to experience the latest features from Apple, coupled with a better set of cameras and slightly better performance.

Apple's iPhone 16e offers AI tools at a more affordable price

Why it matters: The strategically priced iPhone 16e could capture a broader market, and having Apple Intelligence on a more affordable iPhone brings AI tools to consumers who are not willing to pay a higher price. Driving the news: Apple's iPhone 16e is available to preorder this Friday starting at $599 -- a price hike from the iPhone SE, which launched at $429 a few years ago. Zoom in: It features a single 48-megapixel rear camera with an integrated 2x Telephoto lens, a feature typically reserved for higher-end models. What they're saying: Apple claims that iPhone 16e has the longest battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone model so far. It supports up to 90 hours of audio playback and 26 hours of video playback.

Apple unveils a souped-up and more expensive version of its lowest priced iPhone

The iPhone 16e unveiled Wednesday is the fourth-generation of a model that's sold at a dramatically lower price than the iPhone's standard and premium models. The previous bargain-bin models were called the iPhone SE, with the last version coming out in 2022.Apple has released a sleeker and more expensive version of its lowest priced iPhone in an attempt to widen the audience for a bundle of artificial intelligence technology that the company has been hoping will revive demand for its most profitable product lineup. The iPhone 16e unveiled Wednesday is the fourth-generation of a model that's sold at a dramatically lower price than the iPhone's standard and premium models. The previous bargain-bin models were called the iPhone SE, with the last version coming out in 2022. Like the higher-priced iPhone 16 lineup unveiled last September, the iPhone 16e includes the souped-up computer chip needed to process an array of AI features that automatically summarize text, audio and create on-the-fly emojis while smartening up the device's virtual assistant, Siri. It will also have a more powerful battery and camera. All those upgrades will translate into a higher starting price for an iPhone 16e at $600, a 40% increase from $430 for the last iPhone SE. But iPhone 16e will be more affordable than the cheapest standard iPhone 16 at $800. The new phone will be available in stores Feb. 28, but can be pre-ordered beginning Friday. "We're so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people," said Kaiann Drance, an Apple vice president in charge of promoting a device lineup that accounts for more than half of the company's revenue. Although Apple has been hyping its foray into AI since last June, the complete set of features still haven't been released in the US and the technology still isn't even available in some parts of the world. The delays in making the iPhone's AI - dubbed "Apple Intelligence'" - more widely available through free software updates dinged the Cupertino, California, company during the past holiday when sales of the device dipped slightly from their 2023 levels. Apple has primarily been losing the ground in China, where it hasn't yet specified when the iPhone's AI technology will be available. But the company recently struck an AI partnership with Alibaba in China that could pave the way for the technology coming to iPhones in that country this spring. Besides being able to handle AI for the first time, the iPhone 16e has a different look from previous SE models. It boasts a 6.1-inch display screen, slightly larger than the 4.7-inch display on SE model and no longer has a home screen button like the SE had. The new iPhone 16e will rely include a facial recognition option for unlocking the device, just like the higher priced models do. Apple's shares edged up during Wednesday's late morning trading to nearly $245, below the stock's peak price of roughly $260 reached in late December.

iPhone 16e Launches on February 28 With These New Features

Apple will launch its new iPhone 16e in stores on Friday, February 28. The new model replaces the entry-level iPhone SE and represents the latest addition to Apple's flagship iPhone 16 lineup, but don't let its more affordable $599 starting price fool you into thinking it lacks premium features. The iPhone 16e inherits a host of features and enhancements from the existing iPhone 16 series. Here's a rundown of the biggest new features you get with the cheaper model: The most striking change is the shift to a 6.1-inch OLED display with Face ID, abandoning the Touch ID Home button that characterized the previous entry-level iPhone SE models. This transition represents the end of Touch ID across Apple's entire iPhone lineup, and the use of OLED displays across Apple's entire smartphone lineup. Otherwise, the iPhone 16e largely adopts the design signature of the iPhone 14, complete with a display notch. At the heart of the iPhone 16e is Apple's A18 chip, though with a slightly different configuration than its flagship siblings. While it shares the same 6-core CPU and 16-core Neural Engine, the iPhone 16e features a binned 4-core GPU instead of the 5-core variant found in the standard iPhone 16 models. However, most users are unlikely to notice any appreciable difference in general performance. Perhaps the most innovative aspect of the iPhone 16e is Apple's first in-house modem design, the C1. This new chip delivers impressive power efficiency, enabling the device to achieve up to 26 hours of video playback - four hours more than the standard iPhone 16 model. The camera system has also received attention, with a single 48-megapixel Fusion camera that provides what Apple calls "optical-quality" 2x zoom capabilities. It has no Telephoto lens, so there are no other zoom options, and there is no Ultra Wide camera for wide-angle shots and macro images. Since there's just one lens, there's also no option for spatial image and video capture. The iPhone 16e provides the same True Tone flash, Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, and Smart HDR 5 options, but it does not support next-generation portraits with Focus Control or the latest Photographic Styles. Meanwhile, the front FaceTime camera features a 12-megapixel sensor with autofocus support, and offers an identical feature set with the exception of support for Cinematic mode, Photographic Styles, and Depth Control for Portrait shots. The iPhone 16e adopts the modern physical changes that are found on Apple's phones like an Action button, USB-C connectivity, and IP68 water resistance. However, it lacks some premium features found on other iPhone 16 models, including MagSafe charging, Wi-Fi 7, Dynamic Island, and the new Camera Control button. iPhone 16e also supports Apple's satellite features. When outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, the iPhone 16e supports Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My via satellite. Availability of the features varies by country. Apple Intelligence is a suite of AI-powered features designed to enhance user experience across Apple's ecosystem. The iPhone 16e joins the iPhone 15 Pro models and all other iPhone 16 models in supporting Apple Intelligence, thanks to its 8GB of RAM. AI features include Writing Tools, the Image Playground app, which allows users to generate images using AI, and Genmoji, which enables the creation of personalized emojis from text descriptions or photos. Siri has been overhauled to provide more natural and context-aware interactions, including the ability to process complex queries by integrating with ChatGPT. In the Mail app, Priority Messages highlight urgent emails with AI-generated summaries, and the Photos app offers features like custom memory movies and enhanced search capabilities. The iPhone 16e also supports Visual Intelligence, which helps you get more details about places and objects around you. The feature can be assigned to the Action button or invoked via Control Center. Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e are now open on Apple's online store and the Apple Store app, with availability in 59 countries and regions. The device comes in white or black color options, with storage configurations of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB priced at $599, $699, and $899, respectively.

Apple just revealed the iPhone 16E, its latest budget iPhone handset

The new budget handset, which replaces the older iPhone SE series, comes with the chip needed to use all of Apple's new artificial intelligence (AI) features. Tech giant Apple unveiled a sleeker, more expensive version of its most affordable iPhone in a launch event in California on Wednesday. The release is being seen as an attempt to widen the audience for a bundle of artificial intelligence (AI) technology that the company has been hoping will revive demand for its most profitable product line-up. The iPhone 16e unveiled on Wednesday is the fourth-generation of a model that's sold at a dramatically lower price than the iPhone's standard and premium models. The previous bargain-bin models were called the iPhone SE, with the last version coming out in 2022. Like the higher-priced iPhone 16 lineup unveiled last September, the iPhone 16E includes the souped-up computer chip needed to process an array of AI features that automatically summarize text, and audio and create on-the-fly emojis while smartening up the device's virtual assistant, Siri. It will also have a more powerful battery and camera. All those upgrades will translate into a higher starting price for an iPhone 16e at $600 (€575), a 40 per cent increase from $430 (€412) for the last iPhone SE. But iPhone 16e will be more affordable than the cheapest standard iPhone 16 at $800 (€767). The new phone will be available in stores in the US on February 28, but can be pre-ordered beginning Friday. "We're so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people," said Kaiann Drance, an Apple vice president in charge of promoting a device lineup that accounts for more than half of the company's revenue. Although Apple has been hyping its foray into AI since last June, the complete set of features still haven't been released in the US and the technology still isn't even available in some parts of the world. The delays in making the iPhone's AI - dubbed "Apple Intelligence" - more widely available through free software updates dinged the Cupertino, California, company during the past holiday when sales of the device dipped slightly from their 2023 levels. Apple has primarily been losing the ground in China, where it hasn't yet specified when the iPhone's AI technology will be available. But the company recently struck an AI partnership with Alibaba in China that could pave the way for the technology coming to iPhones in that country this spring. Besides being able to handle AI for the first time, the iPhone 16e has a different look from previous SE models. It boasts a 6.1-inch display screen, slightly larger than the 4.7-inch display on SE model, and no longer has a home screen button like the SE had. The new iPhone 16e will include a facial recognition option for unlocking the device, just like the higher-priced models do. Apple's shares edged up during Wednesday's late mornng trading to nearly $245 (€235), below the stock's peak price of roughly $260 (€249) reached in late December.

Apple adds new iPhone 16e to portfolio

iPhone 16e takes stunning videos with the ability to record in 4K with Dolby Vision up to 60 fps, and users can stop and restart a recording for more flexibility when capturing the moment Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 16e, a new addition to the iPhone 16 family, combining high performance and powerful features with a more accessible price point. Equipped with the A18 chip and Apple's first-ever cellular modem, C1, the iPhone 16e delivers industry-leading performance, long battery life, and enhanced connectivity options. The iPhone 16e comes with an impressive 48MP Fusion camera, integrated with a 2x telephoto lens, allowing users to capture detailed photos and videos with ease. The device also incorporates cutting-edge satellite communication features such as Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, and the ability to send messages or share location when outside cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. Available in sleek black and white matte finishes, iPhone 16e will be available for pre-order starting Friday, February 21, with general availability set for February 28. "We are thrilled to bring the iPhone 16e to market as a powerful, more affordable option, allowing more people to experience the capabilities of the iPhone 16 lineup," said Kaiann Drance, Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing. "With its robust performance, breakthrough battery life, and seamless integration of Apple Intelligence, iPhone 16e is designed to offer users more value." Stunning design and extended battery life Built with durability in mind, the iPhone 16e is splash, water, and dust resistant, earning an IP68 rating, and features a Ceramic Shield front cover -- tougher than any other smartphone glass. T The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display provides an edge-to-edge viewing experience, making it ideal for video streaming, gaming, and reading. Thanks to the highly efficient A18 chip and innovative power management, iPhone 16e offers the best battery life ever seen in a 6.1-inch iPhone. Users can expect up to six hours more battery life than the iPhone 11, and up to 12 hours more than the iPhone SE. Powered by A18 chip and C1 modem The A18 chip powers iPhone 16e, offering smooth performance with up to 80% faster processing compared to the A13 chip in older iPhone models. The 6-core CPU and 4-core GPU deliver excellent speed and impressive graphics, while the 16-core Neural Engine accelerates machine learning tasks up to six times faster. Apple's C1 modem -- the first-ever cellular modem designed by the company -- provides fast 5G connectivity and exceptional power efficiency, contributing to the device's outstanding battery performance. Apple Intelligence: Enhanced privacy and AI features iPhone 16e introduces Apple Intelligence, a personal AI system designed to enhance user experience while prioritising privacy. The device features the Clean Up tool, enabling users to easily remove unwanted elements in photos, and a natural language search function in the photos app to find images using simple descriptions. Additionally, iPhone 16e offers creative tools like Image Playground, Genmoji, and Writing Tools for self-expression, and integrates ChatGPT for faster, more seamless responses within the system. Apple Intelligence ensures all data processing happens on-device, with privacy-conscious features, like the groundbreaking Private Cloud Compute, to further protect user data. Introducing the 'Action Button' and 'Visual Intelligence' A standout feature on the iPhone 16e is the customisable Action button, providing users with quick access to functions such as the camera, flashlight, music recognition, and much more. It can even activate third-party apps like Snapchat or FordPass for in-app tasks. Visual intelligence takes advantage of the device's powerful AI, enabling users to identify objects, translate text in real-time, and even look up information on the internet -- all through a simple press of the Action button. This feature also makes it easier to identify plants, animals, and contact information, offering greater convenience for everyday use. Advanced camera The iPhone 16e features a powerful 48MP Fusion camera system with a 2x Telephoto lens, allowing users to capture sharp, high-resolution photos and videos. In Night mode and Portrait mode, the camera excels at balancing light and detail for vibrant images. The front-facing TrueDepth camera ensures sharper selfies and group shots. For video enthusiasts, iPhone 16e supports 4K Dolby Vision recording at up to 60 frames per second and comes with spatial audio for immersive audio experiences. Users can also enhance their video sound with features like 'Audio Mix', which lets them adjust voice and background noise after recording. Safety and connectivity for peace of mind Apple continues to prioritise user safety with iPhone 16e's satellite connectivity features, including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, and the ability to send messages or share location even when off the grid. Crash detection can also detect severe car accidents and automatically alert emergency services. Sustainability in focus In alignment with Apple's 2030 environmental goals, the iPhone 16e is crafted using over 30 per cent recycled materials, including recycled cobalt and lithium in the battery and 85 per cent recycled aluminium in the enclosure. The product's packaging is fully fiber-based, reducing the use of plastics, in line with Apple's efforts to eliminate plastic from packaging by the end of this year. iPhone 16e pricing and availability The iPhone 16e will be available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options, starting at Dhs2,599. Pre-orders will open on February 21, with availability beginning February 28 in 59 countries and regions, including the US, UK, UAE, Japan, India, and more. Customers will also be able to purchase AppleCare+ for additional support and iCloud+ for extra storage, with various subscription options available. To complement their purchase, new iPhone 16e users can enjoy three months of free access to Apple services like Apple Music, TV+, Arcade, and more.

Apple unveils a souped-up and more expensive version of its lowest-priced iPhone

Apple has released a sleeker and more expensive version of its lowest priced iPhone in an attempt to widen the audience for a bundle of artificial intelligence technology that the company has been hoping will revive demand for its most profitable product lineup. The iPhone 16e unveiled Wednesday is the fourth-generation of a model that's sold at a dramatically lower price than the iPhone's standard and premium models. The previous bargain-bin models were called the iPhone SE, with the last version coming out in 2022. Like the higher-priced iPhone 16 lineup unveiled last September, the iPhone 16e includes the souped-up computer chip needed to process an array of AI features that automatically summarize text, audio and create on-the-fly emojis while smartening up the device's virtual assistant, Siri. It will also have a more powerful battery and camera. All those upgrades will translate into a higher starting price for an iPhone 16e at $600, a 40% increase from $430 for the last iPhone SE. But iPhone 16e will be more affordable than the cheapest standard iPhone 16 at $800. The new phone will be available in stores Feb. 28, but can be pre-ordered beginning Friday. "We're so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people," said Kaiann Drance, an Apple vice president in charge of promoting a device lineup that accounts for more than half of the company's revenue. Although Apple has been hyping its foray into AI since last June, the complete set of features still haven't been released in the U.S. and the technology still isn't even available in some parts of the world. The delays in making the iPhone's AI -- dubbed "Apple Intelligence'" -- more widely available through free software updates dinged the Cupertino, California, company during the past holiday when sales of the device dipped slightly from their 2023 levels. Apple has primarily been losing the ground in China, where it hasn't yet specified when the iPhone's AI technology will be available. But the company recently struck an AI partnership with Alibaba in China that could pave the way for the technology coming to iPhones in that country this spring. Besides being able to handle AI for the first time, the iPhone 16e has a different look from previous SE models. It boasts a 6.1-inch display screen, slightly larger than the 4.7-inch display on SE model and no longer has a home screen button like the SE had. The new iPhone 16e will rely include a facial recognition option for unlocking the device, just like the higher priced models do. Apple's shares edged up during Wednesday's late mornng trading to nearly $245, below the stock's peak price of roughly $260 reached in late December.

Here's how to pre-order the new Apple iPhone 16e

Earlier this week, Apple's cheapest iPhone got a refresh and an unexpected name change. Instead of the widely anticipated iPhone SE 4, the company unveiled the new iPhone 16e, which shifts to a full-screen design with Face ID while putting Apple Intelligence on an entry-level model for the first time. It also sports the Action button, which debuted on the iPhone 15 Pro. Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e are now open, with models starting at $599, and the phone will be more widely available on February 28. Here's everything you need to know about pre-ordering the latest iPhone. The best place to get an unlocked iPhone 16e is, unsurprisingly, direct from Apple. The iPhone 16e comes in only two colors, black and white, with 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage configurations to choose from. Ordering an unlocked iPhone means you can take it to nearly any carrier of your choosing. As usual, wireless carriers are also selling the iPhone 16e now, with various perks attached to purchases. Here are all of wireless carrier specials we currently know about for the iPhone 16e. The iPhone 16e looks much like the iPhone 14, one of Apple's 2022 models. The new phone has a much larger screen than previous iPhone SE -- a spacious 6.1 inches -- along with Face ID and swipe-based multitasking gestures. (The model it replaces had a Touch ID home button.) It has a notch at the top of the screen, not the floating Dynamic Island from higher-end iPhones. Apple Intelligence is increasingly central to the company's strategy, so don't be surprised to see Apple's iPhone 16e marketing center around it. In addition to zippy performance, the phone's A18 chip enables features like generative AI writing tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, Visual Intelligence, ChatGPT integration and notification summaries. The phone is the cheapest entry point into Apple Intelligence by hundreds of dollars. The phone has a 48-megapixel Fusion "2-in-1" camera with a 2x telephoto system. Compared to the more expensive iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, the SE's lack of extra rear cameras is one of the most noticeable things you'll miss out on. At $599, the iPhone 16e is also $150 more than previous iPhone SE models, which typically cost around $429. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 starts at $799, and the additional $200 gets you a better camera system and a more modern design.

Apple Aims to Reach More Customers With Lower-Cost iPhone 16e | PYMNTS.com

Apple debuted its lower-cost smartphone, the iPhone 16e, Wednesday (Feb. 19), saying the product's price starts at $599. "We're so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people," Kaiann Drance, vice president of worldwide iPhone product marketing at Apple, said in a Wednesday press release. The new model joins a smartphone lineup that includes the iPhone 15 starting at $699, the iPhone 16 starting at $799 and the iPhone 16 Pro starting at $999, according to the Apple website. The iPhone 16e is "built for Apple Intelligence," the company's artificial intelligence (AI) offering, according to the release. The smartphone also offers Apple's A18 chip, the Apple C1 cellular modem, a 48MP Fusion camera system and a 6.1-inch display, the release said. The Big Tech firm will accept pre-orders for the iPhone 16e in 59 countries and regions beginning Friday (Feb. 21) and will make the phone available beginning Feb. 28, per the release. The new smartphone will cost $170 more than the iPhone SE that it replaces, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. It also marks the biggest change in the history of the low-end iPhones that were introduced in 2016 and have not been updated in nearly three years, according to the report. The company reported in January that during the fourth quarter -- the first quarter in which it offered the iPhone 16 and Apple Intelligence -- the iPhone 16 models performed stronger in markets where the AI features were available. Apple reported a record number of iPhone upgraders during the quarter, with the iPhone 16 family outperforming the iPhone 15 family since launch. During a January earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook attributed this trend to a strong desire among existing customers to adopt the latest technology, with Apple Intelligence being a key factor. The company's installed base of active devices reached a record high of 2.35 billion during the quarter. When Apple unveiled Apple Intelligence in September, it said the suite of AI-powered features integrates deeply into the company's ecosystem, leveraging the technology to perform tasks ranging from text refinement to image manipulation, all while prioritizing user privacy.

Apple unveils a souped-up and more expensive version of its lowest priced iPhone

Apple has released a sleeker and more expensive version of its lowest priced iPhone in an attempt to widen the audience for a bundle of artificial intelligence technology that the company has been hoping will revive demand for its most profitable product lineup. The iPhone 16e unveiled Wednesday is the fourth-generation of a model that's sold at a dramatically lower price than the iPhone's standard and premium models. The previous bargain-bin models were called the iPhone SE, with the last version coming out in 2022. Like the higher-priced iPhone 16 lineup unveiled last September, the iPhone 16e includes the souped-up computer chip needed to process an array of AI features that automatically summarize text, audio and create on-the-fly emojis while smartening up the device's virtual assistant, Siri. It will also have a more powerful battery and camera. All those upgrades will translate into a higher starting price for an iPhone 16e at $600, a 40% increase from $430 for the last iPhone SE. But iPhone 16e will be more affordable than the cheapest standard iPhone 16 at $800. The new phone will be available in stores Feb. 28, but can be pre-ordered beginning Friday. "We're so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people," said Kaiann Drance, an Apple vice president in charge of promoting a device lineup that accounts for more than half of the company's revenue. Although Apple has been hyping its foray into AI since last June, the complete set of features still haven't been released in the U.S. and the technology still isn't even available in some parts of the world. The delays in making the iPhone's AI -- dubbed "Apple Intelligence'" -- more widely available through free software updates dinged the Cupertino, California, company during the past holiday when sales of the device dipped slightly from their 2023 levels. Apple has primarily been losing the ground in China, where it hasn't yet specified when the iPhone's AI technology will be available. But the company recently struck an AI partnership with Alibaba in China that could pave the way for the technology coming to iPhones in that country this spring. Besides being able to handle AI for the first time, the iPhone 16e has a different look from previous SE models. It boasts a 6.1-inch display screen, slightly larger than the 4.7-inch display on SE model and no longer has a home screen button like the SE had. The new iPhone 16e will rely include a facial recognition option for unlocking the device, just like the higher priced models do. Apple's shares edged up during Wednesday's late mornng trading to nearly $245, below the stock's peak price of roughly $260 reached in late December.

Apple unveils a souped-up and more expensive version of its lowest priced iPhone

Apple has released a sleeker and more expensive version of its lowest priced iPhone in an attempt to widen the audience for a bundle of artificial intelligence technology that the company has been hoping will revive demand for its most profitable product lineup. The iPhone 16e unveiled Wednesday is the fourth-generation of a model that's sold at a dramatically lower price than the iPhone's standard and premium models. The previous bargain-bin models were called the iPhone SE, with the last version coming out in 2022. Like the higher-priced iPhone 16 lineup unveiled last September, the iPhone 16e includes the souped-up computer chip needed to process an array of AI features that automatically summarize text, audio and create on-the-fly emojis while smartening up the device's virtual assistant, Siri. It will also have a more powerful battery and camera. All those upgrades will translate into a higher starting price for an iPhone 16e at $600, a 40% increase from $430 for the last iPhone SE. But iPhone 16e will be more affordable than the cheapest standard iPhone 16 at $800. The new phone will be available in stores Feb. 28, but can be pre-ordered beginning Friday. "We're so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people," said Kaiann Drance, an Apple vice president in charge of promoting a device lineup that accounts for more than half of the company's revenue. Although Apple has been hyping its foray into AI since last June, the complete set of features still haven't been released in the U.S. and the technology still isn't even available in some parts of the world. The delays in making the iPhone's AI -- dubbed "Apple Intelligence'" -- more widely available through free software updates dinged the Cupertino, California, company during the past holiday when sales of the device dipped slightly from their 2023 levels. Apple has primarily been losing the ground in China, where it hasn't yet specified when the iPhone's AI technology will be available. But the company recently struck an AI partnership with Alibaba in China that could pave the way for the technology coming to iPhones in that country this spring. Besides being able to handle AI for the first time, the iPhone 16e has a different look from previous SE models. It boasts a 6.1-inch display screen, slightly larger than the 4.7-inch display on SE model and no longer has a home screen button like the SE had. The new iPhone 16e will rely include a facial recognition option for unlocking the device, just like the higher priced models do. Apple's shares edged up during Wednesday's late mornng trading to nearly $245, below the stock's peak price of roughly $260 reached in late December.

Apple iPhone 16e launched in India with A18 chip, satellite connectivity, AI features. Check price, specifications

Apple has introduced the much awaited iPhone 16e. The smartphone touted to be the SE is indeed called the 16e. Learn all about it in our article. The iPhone 16e offers fast performance and long-lasting battery life, powered by the A18 chip and the Apple-designed C1 cellular modem. It features Apple Intelligence™, a personal assistant system focused on providing relevant insights while enhancing privacy in AI. The 48MP Fusion camera captures high-quality photos and videos, and the integrated 2x Telephoto lens provides optical zoom. In areas without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage, iPhone 16e users can stay connected through Apple's satellite features, including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My® via satellite. iPhone 16e will be available in two elegant matte finishes -- black and white -- with colourful cases available to accessorize. Pre-orders begin Friday, February 21, with availability beginning Friday, February 28th. The device is available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB configurations. It starts at Rs.59,900. The iPhone 16e is built for durability, featuring IP68-rated splash, water, and dust resistance, a Ceramic Shield front cover that is tougher than any smartphone glass, and the toughest back glass in a smartphone. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with OLED technology offers an edge-to-edge design ideal for HDR videos, gaming, and reading. It boasts the best battery life ever on a 6.1-inch iPhone, lasting up to six hours longer than iPhone 11 and up to 12 hours longer than any iPhone SE model. With Face ID, enabled by the TrueDepth camera system, users can securely unlock the device, make purchases, sign in to apps, and more. The iPhone 16e also supports wireless charging and USB-C for easy connectivity with a range of accessories. The iPhone 16e is powered by Apple's A18 chip, delivering fast performance, impressive power efficiency, and enhanced Apple Intelligence. The 6-core CPU is up to 80% faster than the A13 Bionic chip in iPhone 11, effortlessly handling both everyday tasks and more demanding processes with Apple Intelligence. The 4-core GPU offers exceptional graphics performance, enabling AAA mobile gaming and hardware-accelerated ray tracing for more realistic lighting and reflections. The 16-core Neural Engine is optimized for large generative models, running machine learning (ML) tasks up to 6x faster than the A13 Bionic. The C1 modem, the first designed by Apple, is the most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone, providing fast, reliable 5G connectivity. Apple silicon, including the C1 modem, combined with the new internal design and advanced power management in iOS 18, contributes to the iPhone 16e's exceptional battery life. iOS 18 enhances the iPhone 16e with greater personalization, capability, and intelligence. Users can now customize apps and widgets with new dark or tinted looks and arrange them freely on the Home Screen. The Lock Screen controls are customizable, and the redesigned Control Center offers easier access to daily features, including third-party apps. New privacy features allow users to lock and hide apps to protect sensitive information. iOS 18 also brings powerful updates for communication. In Messages, text effects can animate words, phrases, and sentences, while Tapbacks now include emojis, Genmoji, and stickers. Additionally, users can schedule messages to send later. For non-Apple device users, Messages now supports RCS, offering richer media and more reliable group messaging compared to SMS and MMS. The iPhone 16e is designed with sustainability in mind as part of Apple's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. As part of this effort, Apple is transitioning to renewable electricity for its manufacturing processes and investing in wind and solar projects globally to power all Apple products, including the iPhone 16e. Currently, all Apple facilities, including data centers powering Apple Intelligence, run on 100% renewable electricity. To meet its carbon-neutral goal, Apple is incorporating more recycled and renewable materials into its products. The iPhone 16e contains over 30% recycled content, including 100% recycled cobalt and 95% recycled lithium in the battery, and 85% recycled aluminum in the enclosure. Additionally, the main logic board and back glass are designed to be produced more efficiently, reducing the need for raw materials. The packaging is entirely fiber-based, helping Apple move closer to its goal of eliminating plastic from packaging by the end of this year.

Apple launches low-cost iPhone 16e, taking AI features to lower price points | BreakingNews.ie

Apple launched its latest low-cost model, dubbed the iPhone 16e, on Wednesday as it looks to grab a bigger share of the mid-range smartphone market and fend off competition from rivals such Samsung and China's Huawei. The new phone, which leaves behind the SE naming convention for Apple's budget series, will take on popular Android smartphones at a time when consumer electronics makers are looking to add artificial intelligence tools to their devices. Priced at $599 (€575), the iPhone 16e will have enough computing power to run Apple Intelligence, the set of features that includes integrated access to ChatGPT. Apple late last month forecast strong sales growth signaling that it will recover from a dip in iPhone sales as it rolls out artificial intelligence features to more regions and languages. However, analysts have been cautious about the sales boost such tools could provide as the AI features are set to be launched in phases in some regions on its latest iPhone 16 line-up and the iPhone 15 Pro model. The sales of SE model as part of total revenue for iPhones has dropped from 10% from its introduction in 2016 to about 1% last year, according to Counterpoint Research. The iPhone 16e will come with the A18 chip that powers more expensive models launched in September last year and will support Apple Intelligence out of the box. It will be less expensive than the cheapest version of iPhone 16, launched in September. The iPhone 16e will also be the first device from Apple to feature the C1 chip, which is the first modem designed in-house for cellular connectivity, a shift from chips made by Qualcomm . The new device's camera system will have a 48-megapixel sensor and two lenses, one of which will be a two-times zoom lens integrated into the primary camera. Previous SE models were known for their smaller screen size and attracted a niche group of buyers, but the latest generation comes with a 6.1-inch display, the same as the least expensive iPhone 16 model. This year's much-anticipated update brings a change to its slab design, nixing the physical home button and introducing Apple's FaceID feature. Apple said the iPhone 16e will be available for pre-order from February 21 in 59 countries, including the U.S., China and India and will be available from February 28. The SE model would be the last among iPhones to adopt the USB Type-C port for charging, leaving behind Apple's proprietary Lightning connector and letting it return to the European Union market. Apple had discontinued the third-generation SE model and iPhone 14 in the EU as the products did not conform with local laws requiring USB Type-C charging standard. - Reuters

Apple unveils a souped-up and more expensive version of its lowest priced iPhone

Apple has released a sleeker and more expensive version of its lowest priced iPhone in an attempt to widen the audience for a bundle of artificial intelligence technology that the company has been hoping will revive demand for its most profitable product lineup. The iPhone 16e unveiled Wednesday is the fourth-generation of a model that's sold at a dramatically lower price than the iPhone's standard and premium models. The previous bargain-bin models were called the iPhone SE, with the last version coming out in 2022. Like the higher-priced iPhone 16 lineup unveiled last September, the iPhone 16e includes the souped-up computer chip needed to process an array of AI features that automatically summarise text, audio and create on-the-fly emojis while smartening up the device's virtual assistant, Siri. It will also have a more powerful battery and camera. All those upgrades will translate into a higher starting price for an iPhone 16e at USD600, a 40 per cent increase from USD430 for the last iPhone SE. But iPhone 16e will be more affordable than the cheapest standard iPhone 16 at USD800. The new phone will be available in stores Feb. 28, but can be pre-ordered beginning Friday. "We're so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people," said Kaiann Drance, an Apple vice president in charge of promoting a device lineup that accounts for more than half of the company's revenue. But Apple is also trying to balance its desire to offer a more affordable iPhone that will lure more people into its sphere of product against its self interest in maximising its profits from selling higher price products, according to Forrester Research analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee. "The problem with a lower-end product in a luxury portfolio is that you want it to be good but not so good as to cannibalize the crown jewels," Chatterjee said. Although Apple has been hyping its foray into AI since last June, the complete set of features still haven't been released in the US and the technology still isn't even available in some parts of the world. The delays in making the iPhone's AI -- dubbed "Apple Intelligence'" -- more widely available through free software updates dinged the Cupertino, California, company during the past holiday when sales of the device dipped slightly from their 2023 levels. Apple has primarily been losing the ground in China, where it hasn't yet specified when the iPhone's AI technology will be available. But the company recently struck an AI partnership with Alibaba in China that could pave the way for the technology coming to iPhones in that country this spring. Besides being able to handle AI for the first time, the iPhone 16e has a different look from previous SE models. It boasts a 6.1-inch display screen, slightly larger than the 4.7-inch display on SE model and no longer has a home screen button like the SE had. The new iPhone 16e will rely include a facial recognition option for unlocking the device, just like the higher priced models do. Apple's shares edged higher Wednesday to close at USD244.87, below the stock's peak of roughly USD260 reached in late December.

You have missed them in the milieu, but Apple has killed three iconic features in the new iPhone 16e; here's all about them

Apple's new iPhone 16e, a low-cost AI-powered device, loses three iconic features. The iPhone 16e is a new model in Apple's iPhone 16 incredible lineup that offers powerful features at a lower price point. However, Apple's new iPhone 16e, a low-cost AI-powered handset, loses three iconic features. The iPhone SE series, a range of less expensive smartphones that debuted in 2016, appears to have been rebranded as Apple's 6.1-inch iPhone 16e. This new model is the first budget iPhone to support the new Apple Intelligence AI features, and it starts at £599 or $599. The device has 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage and is available in matte black or white finishes, as reported by The US Sun. ALSO READ: Taylor Swift to perform during halftime at Super Bowl 2026? Talks underway as NFL wants big star following shocking Kendrick Lamar performance this year Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e go live on February 21, and the device is scheduled for release on February 28. No more Home Button But the iPhone 16e is also the first model to do away with the Home button in Apple's "cheaper" iPhone lineup. When Apple released the iPhone X in 2017, it stopped using the Home button on its primary smartphone lineup. Until recently, however, Apple's less expensive iPhone SE line maintained the Home button. Thus, it is likely that the iPhone SE 3 of 2022 will be the last iPhone to have a Home button. No more Lightning Ports: Why Apple Switched to USB-C? Apple is finally abandoning Lightning, with the 2022 iPhone 14 most likely the last Apple smartphone to have a Lightning port. The iPhone 16e has switched from Lightning to USB-C. This means that you can use the same cable for more devices than just your iPhone, which is good news. A USB-C charging port is a feature that the new iPhone 16e shares with the iPhone 16. As gadget enthusiasts are aware, USB-C is widely used in cars, hotels, laptops, Android phones, and pretty much everywhere else, as reported by The US Sun. The Mute Switch is gone Apple's iPhone 16e also includes Apple's Action Button, which was introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple's Action Button is a customizable button that can be used for a number of purposes; for instance, you can make it open the camera or even switch on the iPhone's torch. It takes the place of the outdated Mute switch, which was eliminated from the primary iPhone series. Which major features are missing from the iPhone 16e? The iPhone 16e removes the Home button, Lightning port, and Mute switch, signalling a significant shift in Apple's design. When will the iPhone 16e become available? Pre-orders begin on February 21, with the phone officially launching on February 28.

Apple Unveils a Souped-Up and More Expensive Version of Its Lowest Priced IPhone

Apple has released a sleeker and more expensive version of its lowest priced iPhone in an attempt to widen the audience for a bundle of artificial intelligence technology that the company has been hoping will revive demand for its most profitable product lineup. The iPhone 16e unveiled Wednesday is the fourth-generation of a model that's sold at a dramatically lower price than the iPhone's standard and premium models. The previous bargain-bin models were called the iPhone SE, with the last version coming out in 2022. Like the higher-priced iPhone 16 lineup unveiled last September, the iPhone 16e includes the souped-up computer chip needed to process an array of AI features that automatically summarize text, audio and create on-the-fly emojis while smartening up the device's virtual assistant, Siri. It will also have a more powerful battery and camera. All those upgrades will translate into a higher starting price for an iPhone 16e at $600, a 40% increase from $430 for the last iPhone SE. But iPhone 16e will be more affordable than the cheapest standard iPhone 16 at $800. The new phone will be available in stores Feb. 28, but can be pre-ordered beginning Friday. "We're so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people," said Kaiann Drance, an Apple vice president in charge of promoting a device lineup that accounts for more than half of the company's revenue. Although Apple has been hyping its foray into AI since last June, the complete set of features still haven't been released in the U.S. and the technology still isn't even available in some parts of the world. The delays in making the iPhone's AI -- dubbed "Apple Intelligence'" -- more widely available through free software updates dinged the Cupertino, California, company during the past holiday when sales of the device dipped slightly from their 2023 levels. Apple has primarily been losing the ground in China, where it hasn't yet specified when the iPhone's AI technology will be available. But the company recently struck an AI partnership with Alibaba in China that could pave the way for the technology coming to iPhones in that country this spring. Besides being able to handle AI for the first time, the iPhone 16e has a different look from previous SE models. It boasts a 6.1-inch display screen, slightly larger than the 4.7-inch display on SE model and no longer has a home screen button like the SE had. The new iPhone 16e will rely include a facial recognition option for unlocking the device, just like the higher priced models do. Apple's shares edged up during Wednesday's late mornng trading to nearly $245, below the stock's peak price of roughly $260 reached in late December. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Apple Launches Cheaper iPhone 16e With AI Capabilities

CEO Tim Cook previously said Apple Intelligence features helped drive record iPhone upgrades last quarter. Apple (AAPL) on Wednesday unveiled the iPhone 16e, a lower-cost version of the iPhone 16 that comes equipped with Apple Intelligence tools. The "newest member of the family" teased by CEO Tim Cook on X last week will start at $599 and become available on Feb. 28. That's cheaper than the iPhone 16's $799 price tag, and the even pricier Pro, Plus, and Pro Max models. The iPhone 16e will include Apple Intelligence features, which Cook said helped drive record iPhone upgrades in the company's fiscal first quarter. It's also powered by the same A18 chip found in the iPhone 16. Last week, Morgan Stanley analysts said Apple could ship 15 million units of a lower-cost iPhone during the company's 2025 fiscal year. However, that forecast assumed the new phone would likely be an update to the iPhone SE line, priced slightly lower at $499. The 16e announcement also comes after reports that Alibaba (BABA) is partnering with Apple to bring Apple Intelligence to iPhones in China. Apple has reportedly submitted AI features developed with Alibaba to Chinese regulators for approval, a process that could take several months. Shares of Apple were little changed in intraday trading Wednesday. They've added about a third of their value over the past 12 months.

Apple Unveils a Souped-Up and More Expensive Version of its Lowest Priced iPhone

Apple has released a sleeker and more expensive version of its lowest priced iPhone in an attempt to widen the audience for a bundle of artificial intelligence technology that the company has been hoping will revive demand for its most profitable product lineup. The iPhone 16e unveiled Wednesday is the fourth-generation of a model that's sold at a dramatically lower price than the iPhone's standard and premium models. The previous bargain-bin models were called the iPhone SE, with the last version coming out in 2022. Like the higher-priced iPhone 16 lineup unveiled last September, the iPhone 16e includes the souped-up computer chip needed to process an array of AI features that automatically summarize text, audio and create on-the-fly emojis while smartening up the device's virtual assistant, Siri. It will also have a more powerful battery and camera. All those upgrades will translate into a higher starting price for an iPhone 16e at $600, a 40 percent increase from $430 for the last iPhone SE. But iPhone 16e will be more affordable than the cheapest standard iPhone 16 at $800. The new phone will be available in stores Feb. 28, but can be pre-ordered beginning Friday.