The iPhone 16e has been announced by Apple, with the A18 chipset, a USB-C port, Apple Intelligence, excellent battery life (according to Apple), but no MagSafe support or always-on display.
While the spotlight always seems to be on Apple’s mainline iPhones, the iPhone 16e is a great pick for those who are on more of a budget. If you want an iPhone that doesn’t break the bank, the 16e may be the way to go, but this is by no means a cheap phone. It’s just more affordable than the rest of the iPhone 16 series.
The original iPhone SE came out in 2016, and then Apple revamped it in 2020 and 2022 by giving it some more modern hardware. Apple has rejigged the naming for its most affordable iPhone, with the 16e sitting at the base of the iPhone 16 family.
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iPhone 16e release date and price
The iPhone 16e price is $599. That’s higher than expected, with rumors leading up to the launch suggesting it would fall somewhere in the $450-$500 bracket. The iPhone SE 3 which it’s technically replacing was listed at $429 before being pulled from sale ahead of the 16e launching.
The iPhone 16e release date is set for February 28, 2025, with iPhone 16e pre-orders opening a week before on February 21, 2025.
iPhone 16e design
The iPhone 16e looks very similar to the iPhone 12. The 6.1-inch display dominates the front, with the Face ID notch interrupting its top edge. Round the back you’ll find just a single camera (rather than the dual setup on the 12).
Apple says the iPhone 16e has the toughest back glass in a smartphone, while the screen is covered with the company’s Ceramic Shield technology which it claims is tougher than any smartphone glass. The iPhone 16e should be able to handle a few drops and knocks in everyday life then.
Button placement is where you’d expect for an iPhone, with the power key on the right, and a trio of buttons on the left with the action button sitting above the volume up and down keys.
MagSafe is not included in the iPhone 16e, which means any MagSafe accessories you may have will not be compatible with this handset. There is, however, a USB-C port for charging, and with the iPhone SE 3 now off sale the Lightning port has been completely removed from the iPhone range.
iPhone 16e colors
The iPhone 16e is available in just two colors, black or white. Gone are the days of plentiful color options. If you want a wider selection of hues, you’ll need to pay more for another member of the iPhone 16 family.
iPhone 16e display
The iPhone 16e comes with a 6.1-inch OLED screen, with a 2532 x 1170-pixel resolution and 460 ppi pixel density. The Super Retina XDR display’s max brightness is 800 nits, while it can achieve a peak brightness of 1,200 nits.
A feature it doesn’t have that the rest of the iPhone 16 family does in the always-on display. If you want to check for messages, or just see the time, you’ll need to manually wake the screen of the 16e.
iPhone 16e power and software
The iPhone 16e comes with Apple’s A18 chipset, with a 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU and 16-core neural engine. Apple doesn’t list the RAM of its phones, so we will need to wait for reviews to land to find out this spec. It’s available with 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage options.
While the iPhone 16e may be the baby of the 16 family, it does come with an Apple-first piece of hardware. The C1 modem inside the handset is the first cellular modem designed by Apple, and apparently it’s the most efficient modem to ever feature in an iPhone. Let’s hope the Cupertino, California based firm has done its homework to ensure reliable 5G cellular connectivity for users then.
Unsurprisingly, the iPhone 16e runs iOS 18, the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system. And with the software and updated chipset, the 16e joins the rest of the iPhone 16 family by offering Apple Intelligence support. This is Apple’s AI, a direct rival to Google Gemini.
iPhone 16e cameras
The iPhone 16e features a single rear camera, but don’t let that put you off as it’s a ‘2-in-1 camera system’. It comprises a 48MP Fusion sensor which can enable a 12MP 2x Telephoto camera. As well as the 2x optical zoom, the 16e supports a 10x digital zoom to get you closer to your subject.
On the front you get a 12MP TrueDepth camera which is used for FaceID unlocking, Animoji and Memoji, FaceTime and of course, selfies.
iPhone 16e battery life
Apple says the iPhone 16e has the best battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone ever, claiming it can last up to six hours longer than the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12.
You can charge the iPhone 16e via USB-C, plus there’s support for wireless charging. There’s fast wired charging with the ability to replenish 50% of the battery in as little as 30 minutes. You’ll need to use a 20W or higher charger to achieve the fastest recharge speeds – and one isn’t included in the box. You do get a 1M USB-C charging cable included though.
