The iPhone 16e is Apple’s new budget-friendly smartphone featuring an A18 chip, 6.1″ OLED display, and Apple Intelligence, starting at $599.
Apple has officially announced the iPhone 16e, its new budget smartphone, on February 19, positioning it as a feature-rich device in the affordable phone market for 2025. This new model replaces both the iPhone SE (2022) and the iPhone 14 in Apple’s lineup, offering several upgrades over its predecessors.
The iPhone 16e is designed to provide a modern iPhone experience similar to the standard iPhone 16 but at a more accessible price point. It aims to capture a segment of the mid-range smartphone market and boost sales in key regions. A significant factor is its capability to support Apple Intelligence features, aligning with Apple’s strategic focus to compete with AI advancements from companies like Google and Samsung.
Key Features and Upgrades
Naming Convention: Unlike previous iPhone SE models, the iPhone 16e is marketed as part of the main iPhone 16 family. This shift in naming could indicate Apple’s intention to release a budget-friendly iPhone annually, similar to Samsung’s ‘FE’ versions of its Galaxy devices.
Display: The iPhone 16e features a 6.1-inch OLED display, a substantial increase from the iPhone SE (2022)’s 4.7-inch LCD panel. This brings the SE series in line with Apple’s base-model iPhones. The display maintains a 60Hz refresh rate.
Design: The move to a larger display means the removal of the physical Home button. The iPhone 16e relies on Face ID for authentication, with the necessary components housed in a notch at the top of the screen. The phone’s design resembles the iPhone 14, but it includes an Action button and an enhanced main camera.
Camera: The device is equipped with a single 48MP wide lens on the rear and a 12MP selfie camera on the front. The 48MP main camera is the same as the one found on the regular iPhone 16, featuring an integrated 2x telephoto for optical-quality zoom.
Internal Specifications: The iPhone 16e is powered by the A18 chip, the same chipset used in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. It also includes a larger battery compared to the iPhone SE (2022), offering improved battery life. Additionally, it features Apple’s first in-house 5G modem, the C1.
Apple Intelligence: A major feature of the iPhone 16e is its compatibility with Apple Intelligence. This makes AI-driven tools like Clean Up, Notification Summaries, and the redesigned Siri more accessible to a wider range of users.
Pricing and Availability
The base model of the iPhone 16e, with 128GB of storage, is priced at $599 / £599 / AU$999. There are also 256GB and 512GB variants available. While this is a price increase compared to the launch price of the iPhone SE (2022), it is still more affordable than the base model of the iPhone 16.
The End of the Home Button
With the release of the iPhone 16e, Apple has effectively ended the era of the home button on its devices. The iPhone 16e replaces the iPhone SE (2022), which was the last Apple product to feature the Touch ID button.
Design and Features
The iPhone 16e features an aluminum frame, glass front and back, and a 6.1-inch OLED screen. It is available in black or white and has the older notch-style cutout at the top of the screen, similar to the iPhone 14. The notch houses the Face ID sensor, replacing the Touch ID system.
The phone includes 128GB of storage and Apple’s A18 chip, enabling various AI tools. It supports 5G via a new Apple modem, emergency satellite messaging, USB-C charging, and an action button.
Market Impact
Apple hopes that the iPhone 16e will help recapture some of the mid-range smartphone market and improve sales in regions such as China. It also aims to encourage more iPhone users to adopt devices that support Apple Intelligence features.
Cory Johnson, Epistrophy Capital Research chief market strategist, noted Apple’s substantial investment in research and development, totaling $189 billion over the last decade. He expressed disappointment with the current offerings, stating, “All we have to show for that is the HomePod and $3,500 ski goggles. AI should be right in Apple’s wheelhouse. But Apple fanboys, fangirls, and investors are right to be disappointed so far.”
Sources: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgw30dr0w3o
https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/iphone-16e-5-things-you-need-to-know-including-its-price-camera-and-that-c1-chip
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/19/apple-launches-iphone-16e-and-ditches-home-button