Apple has released a more expensive version of its lowest-priced iPhone in an attempt to widen the audience for its Apple Intelligence technology.
The iPhone 16e is the fourth generation of a model that’s sold at a lower price than the iPhone’s standard and premium models.
The previous models were called the iPhone SE, with the last version coming out in 2022.
“iPhone 16e packs in the features our users love about the iPhone 16 lineup, including breakthrough battery life, fast performance powered by the latest-generation A18 chip, an innovative 2-in-1 camera system, and Apple Intelligence,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing.
“We’re so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people.”
Performance and Connectivity
iPhone 16e is powered by Apple’s latest-generation A18 chip, which enables fast, smooth performance, incredible power efficiency, and Apple Intelligence.
The 6-core CPU is up to 80 percent faster than the A13 Bionic chip on iPhone 11, handling both everyday and intensive tasks with ease — from simple workloads, to more demanding actions with Apple Intelligence.
The 4-core GPU powers stunning graphics performance and unlocks next-level mobile gaming on the go, enabling graphically demanding AAA titles and hardware-accelerated ray tracing for more realistic lighting and reflections.
The 16-core Neural Engine is optimised for large generative models and runs machine learning (ML) models up to 6x faster than A13 Bionic.
Expanding the benefits of Apple silicon, C1 is the first modem designed by Apple, delivering fast and reliable 5G cellular connectivity.
Action Button
iPhone 16e features the Action button, allowing users to easily access a variety of functions with just a press.
Once customised in Settings, the Action button can be used to quickly open the camera or Torch; switch between Ring and Silent modes; recognise music with Shazam; activate Voice Memos, Focus, Translate, and accessibility features like Magnifier; or use Shortcuts for more options.
Communication Capabilities
Apple’s satellite features help users text via satellite when they’re outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. This includes Messages via satellite to text friends and family; Emergency SOS via satellite to connect with emergency services; and Roadside Assistance via satellite to reach a roadside assistance provider in case of car trouble.
Users can also use the Find My app to share their location via satellite, reassuring friends and family of their whereabouts while traveling off the grid.
Crash Detection on iPhone 16e can detect a severe car crash and automatically dial emergency services if a user is unconscious or unable to reach their iPhone.
The design appears to be a fusion of the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 16, with the flat metal rails and notch of the 14 complimenting the matte glass rear and slightly softer tapered edges of the 16.
Surprisingly, Apple is only offering the iPhone 16e in two finishes: black and white.
Apple quotes a resolution of 2532×1170, a pixel density of 460ppi, and a peak brightness of 1200 nits for HDR content (800 nits typical brightness for everything else).
iPhone 16e also features trimmed-down bezels for an edge-to-edge style display and Apple has even resurrected the notch, meaning there is no Dynamic Island here.
The iPhone 16e runs the latest version of Apple’s operating system – iOS 18 – with all of the key software features found on the standard iPhone 16.
There are, however, a couple of surprising omissions. MagSafe is absent, so it won’t work with any of your magnetic accessories, and Camera Control (which debuted on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro) is also missing.
Pricing and Availability
iPhone 16e will be available in white and black in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities, starting at £599 or £24.96 per month for 24 months.
With Apple Trade In, customers can get up to £110 in credit when they trade in iPhone 11, or up to £160 in credit when they trade in iPhone 12.
Customers can take advantage of these offers by visiting the Apple Store online or an Apple Store location. To see what their device is worth and for Apple Trade In terms and conditions, customers can visit apple.com/uk/shop/trade-in.
Customers in 59 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Türkiye, the UAE, the UK, and the U.S., will be able to pre-order iPhone 16e beginning at 5 a.m. PST on Friday, February 21, with availability beginning Friday, February 28.
Visual intelligence is available in iOS 18.2 or later on all iPhone 16 models.
iPhone 16e Silicone Case will be available in five colours for £39 in winter blue, fuchsia, lake green, black, and white.
Customers who purchase iPhone 16e may receive three free months of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and Apple Fitness+, with a new subscription.
The display has rounded corners that follow a beautiful curved design, and these corners are within a standard rectangle. When measured as a standard rectangular shape, the screen is 6.06 inches diagonally. The actual viewable area is smaller.
Apple iPhone 16E Specs vs. Apple iPhone 16, iPhone SE (2022)
| Apple iPhone 16E | Apple iPhone 16 | Apple iPhone SE (2022) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display; 2,532×1,170 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate | 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display; 2,556 x 1,179 pixel resolution; 60Hz refresh rate | 4.7-inch LCD; (1,334×750 pixels); 60 Hz |
| Pixel density | 460ppi | 460ppi | 326ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 in. | 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in. | 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 167g (5.88 oz.) | 170g (6 oz.) | 5.09 oz; 144g |
| Mobile software | iOS 18 | iOS 18 | iOS 15 |
| Camera | 48-megapixel (wide) | 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12-megapixel (wide) |
| Front-facing camera | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel | 7-megapixel |
| Video capture | 4K at 60fps | 4K at 60fps; spatial video at 1080p at 30fps | 4K |
| Processor | A18 | A18 | A15 Bionic |
| RAM/storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Expandable storage | No | No | None |
| Battery | Up to 26 hours video playback, 21 hours streamed video playback, 90 hours of audio playback. 20W wired charging, 7.5W Qi wireless charging | Up to 22 hours video playback; up to 18 hours video playback (streamed). 20W wired charging. MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher; Qi2 up to 15W | Battery sized not disclosed (charger not included; supports wireless charging) |
| Fingerprint sensor | No, Face ID | None (Face ID) | Home button |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | Lightning |
| Headphone jack | No | No | None |
| Special features | Action button, Apple C1 5G modem, Apple Intelligence, Ceramic Shield, Emergency SOS, satellite connectivity, IP68 resistance | Apple Intelligence, Action button, Camera Control button, Dynamic Island, 1 to 2,000 nits display brightness range, IP68 resistance. Colors: black, white, pink, teal, ultramarine. | 5G-enabled; supports 25W wired fast charging; Water resistant (IP67); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging |
| UK price starts at | £599 (128GB), £699 (256GB), £899 (512GB) | £799 (128GB), £899 (256GB), £1,099 (512GB) | £419 (64GB), £469 (128GB), £569 (256GB) |
