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Apple Unveils iPhone 16e: The New Budget-Friendly Model

Author:Kristen Update:May 13,2025

On Wednesday morning, Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e, marking it as the most budget-friendly option in the company's latest lineup. This new model replaces the 2022 iPhone SE as the entry-level choice, though it introduces a narrower price gap compared to previous budget offerings. The iPhone 16e starts at $599, significantly closer to the $799 iPhone 16 released last fall. Pre-orders begin on Friday, Feb. 21, with the official release following on Friday, Feb. 28.

The iPhone 16e introduces Apple's new C1 cellular modem, a component crucial for connectivity but often overlooked. Apple's success with its in-house M1 and A-series chips sets high expectations for the C1. However, any shortcomings could lead to connectivity issues, reminiscent of the "Antennagate" scandal with the iPhone 4. Hopefully, Apple has ensured the iPhone 16e's modem performs reliably.

iPhone 16e

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From the front, the iPhone 16e closely resembles the iPhone 14, featuring a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 2532x1170 resolution and a peak brightness of 1,200 nits. While this doesn't match the brightness and sharpness of the iPhone 16, the iPhone 16e includes the Action button and a USB-C port, though it lacks the Camera Control feature.

On the back, the iPhone 16e stands out with its single 48MP camera, akin to the iPhone SE's setup. This camera shares many traits with the iPhone 16's main camera but misses out on advanced features like sensor-shift stabilization, the latest Photographic styles, and adjustable focus in portrait mode. The front-facing camera remains unchanged and includes Face ID.

The iPhone 16e's construction uses aluminum, a glass back, and Apple's Ceramic Shield on the front. Although Apple claims this Ceramic Shield is "tougher than any smartphone glass," the company now offers an even tougher version, raising questions about the durability of the material used in the iPhone 16e, especially given the wear observed during reviews of the iPhone 16.

Internally, the iPhone 16e showcases Apple's strategy of product differentiation. It features an "A18" chip, similar to the iPhone 16, but with a 4-core GPU instead of the 5-core GPU found in the iPhone 16. This adjustment suggests a performance step down from the iPhone 16, which already lags slightly behind the iPhone 16 Pro. However, the inclusion of the Neural Engine ensures compatibility with Apple Intelligence features.

Despite its compromises, the iPhone 16e at $599 is Apple's most affordable current offering. However, it doesn't offer the steep discount seen with the 2022 iPhone SE, which launched at $429 with the same chip as the $799 iPhone 13. The iPhone 16e's design, while not the newest, is more contemporary than the iPhone SE's, reflecting Apple's effort to maintain a modern aesthetic.

The iPhone 16e's market performance remains to be seen, especially as Android competitors like the OnePlus 13R offer compelling alternatives around the $600 price point. Apple's challenge will be attracting buyers outside its existing ecosystem with the iPhone 16e.