Apple launches iPhone 16e

Technology News Nicholas Kweyu 02/20/2025 0 Comments

Apple launched the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, as a more affordable option in the iPhone 16 family.

The 16e slots in below the iPhone 16 in the current lineup

In a video and press release announcing the launch, the company reported that the new iPhone will start at $599 for 128GB of storage. This is $200 cheaper than the starting price of $799 for the iPhone 16 released in September 2024 but $170 more expensive than 2022’s budget-oriented iPhone SE (3rd generation) which launched at $429.

Rumours had been circulating of an iPhone SE with an updated design but at this launched price, this is less a new budget option and more a discounted iPhone 16 with some features omitted.

Apple-iPhone-16e Apple launches iPhone 16e

The new iPhone 16e (source: Apple.com)

What’s new?

With the iPhone SE removed from Apple’s online store, the 16e now slots as the cheapest iPhone in Apple’s current online offerings.

It is the first iPhone to use a modem developed by Apple (the C1). As stated in Apple’s press release, the C1 is “…the most power efficient modem ever on an iPhone, delivering fast and reliable 5G cellular connectivity.”

At the front, It features a design reminiscent of the iPhone 14 from 2022. It has a notch at the top of its OLED XDR screen instead of the dynamic island found on more recent iPhones. This is still a massive improvement from the huge bezels and home button found in the SE. Apple’s Face ID cameras are housed within the notch. It seems we are now saying goodbye to Touch ID fingerprint unlocking- at least on iPhones.

At 6.1 inches, the screen is similarly sized to the screen on the iPhone 16. The 16e also has an action button on its side. This is a customizable button launched with the iPhone 15 Pro models which replaced the mute switch on older iPhones.

The new iPhone also features a USB type-C port for charging and connectivity replacing the lightning port that was on the SE and other older iPhones (this is also a requirement for the phone to be sold in the EU).

The 16e has launched with the same A18 processor found in the standard 16 models and natively supports Apple Intelligence. This is Apple’s suite of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools which include features like removing objects or people from photographs and summarizing notifications.

There’s also a new visual intelligence feature within the action button which allows users to learn about objects or places that the viewfinder on the camera is looking at.

What’s missing?

In going for a more affordable device, Apple has taken out some features found in the flagship 16 models. Flip the 16e over and you will find only one camera as the wide lens from the iPhone 16 has been removed.

The 16e has a “new 2-in-1 camera system” which is a single 48-megapixel Fusion camera that also allows for 2x telephoto shots.

The 16e also doesn’t feature the camera control button found on the other iPhone 16 models. While it offers wireless charging (at 7.5W), it does not offer fast wireless charging (25W) or support for Apple’s MagSafe accessories.

Availability

The iPhone 16e is available for preorder on Friday, February 21st, 2025 and ships from February 28th, 2025. It is available in matte black and matte white.