Say hello to Apple’s new budget-friendly star, the iPhone 16e! It’s here to replace the iPhone SE, packing most of the cool features from last year’s iPhone 16 but for $400 less. Sounds good, right?
The iPhone 16e starts at $999au and hits shelves February 28 so preorders are open now.
It looks a bit like 2018’s iPhone XR but comes loaded with modern tech. Of course, Apple trimmed a few extras to keep the price low.
Think you’ll miss them? Let’s break it down:
Screen: Nearly the same size OLED as the iPhone 16, but slightly dimmer and no Dolby Vision.
Cameras: A strong 48MP main camera, but no ultra-wide lens or cinematic mode for video.
MagSafe & Chips: Supports wireless charging but drops MagSafe. It rocks the A18 chip, but with less powerful graphics.
Meet iPhone 16e, the newest member of the iPhone 16 family! #AppleLaunch pic.twitter.com/q9BHWxdYtN
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) February 19, 2025
What’s new? The 16e also features Apple’s Action Button, letting you customize shortcuts like muting or opening the camera. Plus, Apple ditched the Lightning connector for USB-C finally!
Oh, and here’s the best part: every single Apple facility, from offices to data centers powering Apple Intelligence, already runs on 100% renewable electricity. Pretty awesome, right? Let’s charge up and power forward together! The iPhone 16e: Built for You and the Planet.
Apple says the 16e has the longest battery life for an iPhone of this size, four hours longer than the iPhone 16 during video playback. Perfect for bingeing your favourite series on the train!
Who’s it for?
If you’re tired of crazy prices or just want a sleek way to access features like Apple Intelligence tools and Emergency SOS, this one’s for you. But heads up, there’s no Home button, no thumbprint scanner, and no small-sized option here. Fans of compact iPhones, we feel you.
Bigger Picture: What’s Next for Apple?
We expect very soon that Apple going to drop new iPads, Macs, and even an Apple Watch Ultra 3 with satellite features. April will bring a software update expanding Apple Intelligence globally and don’t forget the MacBook Air with the M4 chip, put me on that list!!
So, are you ready to make the switch? The iPhone 16e is proof you don’t need to splurge to get top-notch features.
