New iPhone 16e offers Apple Intelligence at a low price point

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AppleInsiderAppleInsider
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in iPhone edited February 20

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.

Two iPhones, one showing its back with a white finish and Apple logo, the other displaying a vibrant abstract wallpaper on its screen.
iPhone 16e - Image Credit: Apple



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.

Two silver foldable devices stacked side by side, showing a camera lens and a colorful hinge between them.
Side-on view of the iPhone 16e



Packing a 6.1-inch OLED screen, complete with a notch at the top, the new iPhone 16e also brings its biometric security kicking and screaming into the present. The last iPhone to use Touch ID has now been upgraded to use Face ID.

That change also means the introduction of the 12MP 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.

Apple does include wireless charging in the iPhone 16e, but it's not MagSafe. Instead, it will work with Qi-compatible wireless chargers, at up to 7.5W.

Like modern iPhones, the mute toggle has been switched out for an Action Button, but there isn't a Camera Control button.

Budget Apple Intelligence



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, a position that device still maintains.

Three smartphone screens displaying a satellite map, an illustrated portrait with app icons, and an emergency SOS satellite connection interface.
Apple Intelligence is included, alongside Emergency SOS via Satellite and Crash Detection



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.

Other smaller changes



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.

While a new modem design is key to Apple, it is still limited to sub-6GHz 5G, not the hyper-fast mmWave.

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.

Other wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6 support, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC for Apple Pay, and the ability to use features like Emergency SOS Via Satellite.

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.



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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 60
    blastdoorblastdoor Posts: 3,743member
    Is the C1 integrated into the SOC or is it a separate chip?
    muthuk_vanalingamwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 2 of 60
    gadgetcanadav2gadgetcanadav2 Posts: 699member
    “ The previous cheapest Apple Intelligence option consumers could take was the iPad mini at $499.”

    You mean the still cheapest opton
    muthuk_vanalingamdarren mccoyneo-techwilliamlondonSuntanIronManwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 3 of 60
    longpathlongpath Posts: 411member
    I wonder if they abandoned the SE moniker to allow a price over $500.
    williamlondonwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 4 of 60
    mike1mike1 Posts: 3,472member
    longpath said:
    I wonder if they abandoned the SE moniker to allow a price over $500.

    There's no link between SE and $500.
    ronnAlex_Vwilliamlondonwatto_cobra
     4Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 5 of 60
    DAalsethdaalseth Posts: 3,245member
    They are using AI to justify the price bump. 
    As I have no interest in AI that means that it’s a decent iPhone for $599 (more in Canada). I’ll have to mull over if it’s worth it. 

    EDIT: Here in Canada it starts at $899. Nope, it’s not worth it. The base 16, that is significantly better is not that much more. 
    edited February 19
    muthuk_vanalingamneo-techwilliamlondondewmegatorguywatto_cobra
     5Likes 1Dislike 0Informatives
  • Reply 6 of 60
    randominternetpersonrandominternetperson Posts: 3,181member
    "iPhone 16e is a massive rebranding of the iPhone SE"

    That's a massive stretch.

    It's a big change to the product, but the branding change is trivial (and smart).
    neo-techAlex_Vwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 7 of 60
    charlesncharlesn Posts: 1,394member
    Just... wow. I'm kind of stunned. The phone, itself, is pretty much as expected. But that price point... YIKES. So the cheapest iPhone is now 40% more expensive than it was yesterday. Although, in an apples to apples comparison -- price of SE 3 128 vs 16E base model 128 -- it's a 25% hike. I'm not saying the 16E isn't worth it, fhe list of improvements over the SE is huge, but raising the price of entry into the iPhone ecosystem by 40% is a giant cojones pricing move. I'm certainly not going to question the decision, since I'm sure it was made with a ton of data supporting that this would work out okay, but I never saw this coming. 
    muthuk_vanalingamneo-techwilliamlondongrandact73watto_cobra
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  • Reply 8 of 60
    randominternetpersonrandominternetperson Posts: 3,181member
    I wonder how much Nike paid to be featured so prominently in the roll-out video. Not only is the swoosh clearly in view on Tim's feet, but they use Nike shoes as the shopping with AI example. 
    fred1watto_cobra
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  • Reply 9 of 60
    bulk001bulk001 Posts: 819member
    First of all, it is not “the heir apparent”, it is the actual replacement of the previous phone. Secondly, it is not a massive rebranding of the specifications. It is a total replacement of the previous SE model. It will require its own new branding campaign. As Cook said it is a new member to the family. Here is my first child and here is my rebranded second child …!
    ssfe11williamlondonblastdoorwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 10 of 60
    jbirdiikunjbirdiikun Posts: 7member
    I get that Apple had to cut costs somewhere, but the loss of MagSafe (coupled with the $599 price tag) is disappointing.
    williamlondondewmeappleinsideruserwatto_cobra
     3Likes 1Dislike 0Informatives
  • Reply 11 of 60
    k2kwk2kw Posts: 2,084member
    charlesn said:
    Just... wow. I'm kind of stunned. The phone, itself, is pretty much as expected. But that price point... YIKES. So the cheapest iPhone is now 40% more expensive than it was yesterday. Although, in an apples to apples comparison -- price of SE 3 128 vs 16E base model 128 -- it's a 25% hike. I'm not saying the 16E isn't worth it, fhe list of improvements over the SE is huge, but raising the price of entry into the iPhone ecosystem by 40% is a giant cojones pricing move. I'm certainly not going to question the decision, since I'm sure it was made with a ton of data supporting that this would work out okay, but I never saw this coming. 


    This is a big disappointment.  It’s not really a replacement for the SE.  It’s a cheaper 16 with less expensive components-  I really wonder how well the new cell chip works as I didn’t like the Non - Qualcomm phones in the past.  They better get it right this time .  Worries that lower energy will mean missed calls.  They probably need the cell chip so I guess better to start in low end chip.

    I would have liked a 5.5 screen size that comes for $499.  That would have made a reasonable replacement for SE.

    Apple should be putting in Basic research for solid state batteries.  I want a Pro or Flip iPhone with SS batteries to make it lighter.   That’s the one big innovation I’m waiting for.  I’m still wondering if AI is worth upgrading for.




    danoxssfe11williamlondondewmeneoncat
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  • Reply 12 of 60
    22july201322july2013 Posts: 3,806member
    "e"=Entry.
    tiredskillswatto_cobra
     1Like 1Dislike 0Informatives
  • Reply 13 of 60
    randominternetpersonrandominternetperson Posts: 3,181member
    DAalseth said:
    They are using AI to justify the price bump. 
    As I have no interest in AI that means that it’s a decent iPhone for $599 (more in Canada). I’ll have to mull over if it’s worth it. 

    EDIT: Here in Canada it starts at $899. Nope, it’s not worth it. The bast 16, that is significantly better is not that much more. 
    But it's NOT significantly better.  Take a look at the comparison page. iPhone - Compare Models - Apple It's shocking how similar they are for a $200 price difference. This is the model to buy (until the 17s are released at least).

    But yeah C$899 is a lot.
    edited February 19
    watto_cobra
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  • Reply 14 of 60
    currentinterestcurrentinterest Posts: 209member
    I get that Apple had to cut costs somewhere, but the loss of MagSafe (coupled with the $599 price tag) is disappointing.

    Cases with MagSafe are being offered by third-party vendors for the iPhone16E. So, it appears one can use MagSafe accessories if one has one of these cases. Apple has likely surmised most people use cases and off loaded the magnet pricing and engineering to case makers.

    forgot usernamewilliamlondonroundaboutnowmdwwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 15 of 60
    caskeycaskey Posts: 47member
    jbirdiikun said:
    I get that Apple had to cut costs somewhere, but the loss of MagSafe (coupled with the $599 price tag) is disappointing.
    I think it's twofold...it helps differentiate the "budget" phone vs the "premium" and also I think that the kind of customers who actually use the MagSafe features for things like bedside stands for StandBy mode and the like, are the kind of customers who are purchasing the flagship models anyway so the 16e customers will not really experience missing anything without MagSafe.
    watto_cobra
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  • Reply 16 of 60
    iOS_Guy80ios_guy80 Posts: 944member
    gadgetcanadav2 said:
    “ The previous cheapest Apple Intelligence option consumers could take was the iPad mini at $499.”

    You mean the still cheapest opton
    Not cheapest but least expensive  Intelligence option.
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 17 of 60
    iOS_Guy80ios_guy80 Posts: 944member
    “e”= economical

    edited February 19
    hypoluxawatto_cobra
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  • Reply 18 of 60
    danoxdanox Posts: 3,652member
    charlesn said:
    Just... wow. I'm kind of stunned. The phone, itself, is pretty much as expected. But that price point... YIKES. So the cheapest iPhone is now 40% more expensive than it was yesterday. Although, in an apples to apples comparison -- price of SE 3 128 vs 16E base model 128 -- it's a 25% hike. I'm not saying the 16E isn't worth it, fhe list of improvements over the SE is huge, but raising the price of entry into the iPhone ecosystem by 40% is a giant cojones pricing move. I'm certainly not going to question the decision, since I'm sure it was made with a ton of data supporting that this would work out okay, but I never saw this coming. 
    No surprise and I will also not be a surprised with most people buying the even higher priced iPhone’s above it, over the years the marketshare enthusiasts have always said without fail, Apple should offer a cheaper device (for marketshare) but every time they do most people elect to buy the more expensive models this time will be no different.
    dewmewatto_cobra
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  • Reply 19 of 60
    M68000m68000 Posts: 931member
    Looks like a winner.   Seems to have amazing battery life and many features of the more expensive iPhones.  
    ssfe11neoncatgrandact73watto_cobra
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  • Reply 20 of 60
    netroxnetrox Posts: 1,546member
    The last SE was $429. Now it's $599. That's a $170 increase! (edited to correct math)

    Keep in mind that the dramatic increase in price was not because shortage due to pandemic but as a result of tariffs imposed by our President Trump. People voted for Trump who slapped tariffs on our imports and the costs are being passed to us. 

    Stop calling it "a new low price point" - it's NOT. It's "increased due to tariffs." 
    edited February 19
    ssfe11forgot usernameJanNLApplejacsWesley Hilliardwatto_cobra
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