📱Apple Unveils iPhone 16E📱
Apple Unveils iPhone 16E with Apple Intelligence and In-House 5G Modem
In a surprising move, Apple has launched the iPhone 16E, featuring Apple Intelligence and the company’s first in-house 5G modem. Here’s a breakdown of its key features and specifications.
A New iPhone in February?
On Wednesday, Apple introduced the iPhone 16E on its official website, expanding the iPhone 16 lineup. The device brings a fresh name, design, processor, and Apple Intelligence capabilities to the 2022 iPhone SE, offering a much-needed upgrade.
The iPhone 16E starts at $599 (£599, AU$999), which is $170 more than the previous iPhone SE’s starting price of $429. In comparison, the regular iPhone 16 starts at $799. This pricing positions the phone at the higher end of the affordable smartphone market, competing with devices like the $499 Google Pixel 8A and Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, which starts at $650.
At a time when smartphone manufacturers are integrating AI features into their devices to stand out, Apple has made it clear that its AI technology isn’t just for its high-end flagship models. The iPhone 16E is powered by Apple’s A18 chip (the same as in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus), making it one of the few sub-$600 devices capable of running Apple Intelligence features.
That said, the iPhone 16E presents an interesting value proposition. On paper, it appears to be an upgrade over the iPhone SE in almost every aspect. However, it lacks what made the SE series popular—its lower price and compact design. That doesn’t mean the iPhone 16E isn’t worth its $600 price tag (especially with carrier deals and launch discounts), but it does raise the question: How long will this phone remain relevant?
The iPhone 16E will be available for pre-order this Friday, February 21, and will officially go on sale on February 28.
iPhone 16E Design
The iPhone 16E’s design is based on the aluminum body of the iPhone 14. The matte glass back helps prevent fingerprint smudges. Instead of the traditional mute switch, there’s an Action Button for quick shortcuts. Unlike the higher-end models, this phone lacks a dedicated camera control button, but the Action Button can be used for visual intelligence searches.
For charging, the iPhone 16E features a USB-C port, replacing the Lightning port found in the iPhone 14.
This model also marks the end of Apple selling iPhones with a Home button, which defined the first decade of iPhone designs. With a 6.1-inch display, Apple no longer offers a truly compact iPhone. However, the screen remains locked at a 60Hz refresh rate, a notable omission considering that most budget Android phones now feature at least 90Hz refresh rates.
Also, the iPhone 16E has a notch and lacks the Dynamic Island cutout found in newer models.
Surprisingly, the iPhone 16E is available only in black and white, with no additional color options.
The Evolution of the iPhone SE
- The original iPhone SE (2016) was based on the iPhone 5S.
- In 2020, Apple launched the second-generation iPhone SE, designed after the iPhone 8 but equipped with the iPhone 11’s A13 Bionic chip.
- The third-generation iPhone SE (2022) retained the 2020 design but featured the A15 Bionic chip from the iPhone 13.
Now, the iPhone 16E takes over as Apple’s latest budget-friendly offering, but the name change represents a shift from Apple’s “cheap iPhone” to a budget-friendly variant of the iPhone 16 lineup, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy FE models.
iPhone 16E’s C1 Modem and Battery
The iPhone 16E debuts Apple’s first in-house 5G modem, called the C1 chip. In Apple’s launch video, the company claims that this is the most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone.
The C1 modem supports 5G, though it doesn’t include mmWave 5G, the ultra-fast network found in places like stadiums. It will be interesting to test the call quality and data speeds once the phone is in hand.
Apple also claims that the A18 chip and C1 modem work together to improve power efficiency and extend battery life. Since Apple didn’t lower the price compared to the SE, the longer battery life might be its biggest selling point.
However, the iPhone 16E lacks MagSafe charging support, meaning users can’t attach magnetic accessories and are limited to slower 7.5W wireless charging (though wired charging supports up to 20W).
iPhone 16E Camera
The iPhone 16E features a single 48MP rear camera sensor. While it doesn’t offer an ultra-wide option, its high resolution allows for 2x digital zoom via sensor cropping, which is a decent alternative to having a dedicated second camera.
On the front, there’s a 12MP camera that supports Face ID and autofocus for better selfies.
Final Thoughts on the iPhone 16E
In some ways, the iPhone 16E is the successor to the SE series, reusing parts of older iPhones to create a more affordable option. However, the name change suggests a shift in Apple’s approach—positioning the device as a budget-friendly iPhone 16 rather than an entry-level SE model.
With this new branding, it will be interesting to see how Apple handles upgrades. Unlike the SE lineup, which saw multi-year gaps between releases, will the iPhone E series receive yearly updates? Will we see an iPhone 17E next year?
Only time will tell. But for now, the iPhone 16E is an intriguing addition to Apple’s lineup, and we’re excited to test it out. Stay tuned for more coverage and a full review soon!
Apple iPhone 16E Specs vs. Apple iPhone 16, iPhone SE (2022), iPhone 15 :
| Feature | Apple iPhone 16E | Apple iPhone 16 | Apple iPhone SE (2022) | Apple iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate | 4.7-inch LCD; (1,334×750 pixels); 60 Hz | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels |
| Pixel density | 460ppi | 460ppi | 326ppi | 460ppi |
| 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 | 2.82 x 5.81 x 0.31 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 | 71.6 x 147.6 x 7.8 mm |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 167g (5.88 oz.) | 170g (6 oz.) | 144g (5.09 oz.) | 171g (6.02 oz.) |
| Mobile software | iOS 18 | iOS 18 | iOS 15 | iOS 17 |
| Camera | 48-megapixel (wide) | 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) | 12-megapixel (wide) | 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide) |
| Front-facing camera | 12-megapixel | 12-megapixel | 7-megapixel | 12-megapixel |
| Video capture | 4K at 60fps | 4K at 60fps; spatial video at 1080p at 30fps | 4K | 4K |
| Processor | A18 | A18 | A15 Bionic | A16 Bionic |
| RAM/storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Expandable storage | No | No | None | None |
| Battery | Up to 26 hours video playback, 21 hours streamed video playback, 90 hours audio playback. 20W wired charging, 7.5W Qi wireless charging | Up to 22 hours video playback, 18 hours streamed video playback. 20W wired charging. MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher; Qi2 up to 15W | Battery size undisclosed (charger not included; supports wireless charging) | Undisclosed; Apple claims up to 20 hours of video playback (16 hours streamed) |
| Fingerprint sensor | No, Face ID | None (Face ID) | Home button | None (Face ID) |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | Lightning | USB-C (USB 2.0) |
| Headphone jack | No | No | None | 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 | Dynamic Island; 5G (mmWave/Sub6); MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; eSIM; satellite connectivity |
| US price starts at | $599 (128GB), $699 (256GB), $899 (512GB) | $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB) | $399 (64GB), $449 (128GB), $549 (256GB) | $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB) |
| UK price starts at | £599 (128GB), £699 (256GB), £899 (512GB) | £799 (128GB), £899 (256GB), £1,099 (512GB) | £419 (64GB), £469 (128GB), £569 (256GB) | £799 (128GB), £899 (256GB), £1,099 (512GB) |
| Australia price starts at | AU$999 (128GB), AU$1,199 (256GB), AU$1,549 (512GB) | AU$1,399 (128GB), AU$1,599 (256GB), AU$1,949 (512GB) | AU$749 (64GB), AU$829 (128GB), AU$999 (256GB) | AU$1,499 (128GB), AU$1,699 (256GB), AU$2,049 (512GB) |