Apple made a surprising move by launching the iPhone 16E on its website this Wednesday, marking the expansion of the iPhone 16 series while also giving a major upgrade to the 2022 iPhone SE. With a fresh design, an all-new name, and the power of Apple Intelligence, this could be Apple’s smartest budget phone yet.
iPhone 16E Pricing and Market Position
The iPhone 16E starts at $599 (£599, AU$999), which is a significant jump from the previous iPhone SE’s $429 starting price. However, it’s still cheaper than the iPhone 16, which starts at $799. It competes directly with other budget-friendly smartphones like the $499 Google Pixel 8A and the $650 Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.
With smartphone makers heavily investing in AI-driven features, Apple has ensured that its new budget-friendly model doesn’t lag. Thanks to the A18 chip (the same as in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus), the iPhone 16E can run Apple Intelligence, making it one of the few sub-$600 devices with high-end AI capabilities.
Design & Display: A New Era Without the Home Button
The iPhone 16E ditches the old iPhone SE design and embraces an iPhone 14-style aluminum body with a matte glass back to minimize fingerprints. Apple has also removed the Home button, meaning the iPhone 16E relies entirely on Face ID.
The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display has a 60Hz refresh rate, which might be disappointing for some, especially when budget Android phones start at 90Hz or 120Hz. Another notable design choice is the presence of the notch rather than the Dynamic Island, making it visually similar to older iPhones.
Interestingly, the iPhone 16E is only available in black and white, which feels limited compared to the colorful lineup of the iPhone 16.
A New 5G Modem and Improved Battery Life
A major highlight of the iPhone 16E is Apple’s first in-house 5G modem, the C1 chip. Apple claims it’s the most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone, but it doesn’t support millimeter-wave 5G (found in some areas like stadiums). Real-world performance tests will reveal if it truly enhances call quality and data speeds.
Apple also promises improved battery life due to the A18 and C1 chip combination. While Apple didn’t reduce the price compared to the SE, a longer-lasting battery could be its biggest selling point.
No MagSafe, No High-Speed Wireless Charging
One downside of the iPhone 16E is that it does not support MagSafe charging or accessories. Wireless charging is capped at 7.5W (compared to 15W on MagSafe-enabled iPhones), but it supports 20W wired charging.
Camera: A Powerful 48-Megapixel Sensor
The iPhone 16E features a 48-megapixel single rear camera. While there’s no ultrawide or telephoto lens, Apple compensates by allowing sensor cropping for 2x zoom, making it somewhat equivalent to having a secondary lens.
The 12-megapixel front-facing camera supports Face ID and autofocus, making selfies sharper and more detailed.
Final Thoughts: A New SE or Something More?
The iPhone 16E carries the legacy of the iPhone SE series, but its name change signifies a shift in Apple’s strategy. Instead of being a “cheap iPhone,” it’s now a more affordable iPhone 16—much like Samsung’s Galaxy FE lineup.
With the iPhone 16E, questions arise: Will Apple update it annually? Will there be an iPhone 17E next year? Only time will tell.
iPhone 16E Release Date
- Preorders begin Friday, Feb. 21
- Official release date: Friday, Feb. 28
Stay tuned for hands-on reviews and further testing!
iPhone 16E vs. iPhone 16, iPhone SE (2022), and iPhone 15
Feature | iPhone 16E | iPhone 16 | iPhone SE (2022) | iPhone 15 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Display | 6.1″ OLED (60Hz) | 6.1″ OLED (60Hz) | 4.7″ LCD (60Hz) | 6.1″ OLED (60Hz) |
Processor | A18 | A18 | A15 Bionic | A16 Bionic |
Camera | 48MP | 48MP + 12MP ultrawide | 12MP | 48MP + 12MP ultrawide |
Front Camera | 12MP | 12MP | 7MP | 12MP |
Battery Life | Up to 26 hrs video | Up to 22 hrs video | Undisclosed | Up to 20 hrs video |
Charging | 20W wired, 7.5W Qi wireless | 20W wired, MagSafe 25W | 5G, 25W fast charge | MagSafe, 20W wired |
Face ID? | Yes | Yes | No (Home button) | Yes |
5G Modem | Apple C1 | Qualcomm | Qualcomm | Qualcomm |
Price (USD) | $599 (128GB) | $799 (128GB) | $399 (64GB) | $799 (128GB) |
Are you considering buying the iPhone 16E? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Image Source: Google