Apple unveils new budget friendly iPhone 16e, here's when and how to pre-order
You can pre-order the iPhone 16e from Apple's official website beginning February 21st.
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Image: Apple |
After a three-year wait, Apple has just unveiled the iPhone 16e, a new budget-friendly option that marks a significant departure from the previous iPhone SE (2022). This release introduces not only a refreshed name but also substantial hardware and software enhancements. Notably, the iPhone 16e integrates Apple Intelligence into an entry-level model, alongside the Action button and Face ID. Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e begin on February 21, 2025, with the official release scheduled for February 28.
The iPhone 16e showcases a notable design evolution, drawing inspiration from the iPhone 14's aesthetic. A key innovation is the introduction of Face ID, eliminating the traditional Home button—a feature last seen on the SE 2023. The new smartphone boasts a larger 6.1-inch OLED notch display with reduced bezels, mirroring the iPhone 14, a considerable upgrade from the SE (2022)'s 4.7-inch LCD screen.
Beyond its design, the iPhone 16e features an upgraded single 48MP rear camera, a significant improvement over its predecessor. The front-facing camera has also been enhanced to 12MP. The camera system supports Night mode photography and Portrait mode with a 2x zoom sensor. While an ultrawide camera is absent, this strategic decision by Apple differentiates the budget-friendly iPhone from its premium counterparts. The shift from previous rumors of "iPhone SE 4" to 16e suggests a streamlined, cost-effective version of the newly launched iPhone 16 series.
A pivotal software advancement in the iPhone 16e is the integration of Apple Intelligence, a feature recently introduced with iOS 18. Running iOS 18, this budget-friendly device offers the same functionalities as the flagship iPhone 16 models. This includes enhanced Apple Intelligence features such as Smarter Siri, which combines ChatGPT with Siri for more intuitive control. Other features include Image Playground, image generation, Genmoji stickers, and text translation and notification summarization (though Apple has temporarily paused the latter for refinement, with plans to reintroduce it in version 18.4). Users can also customize their home and lock screens, bringing this premium feature to Apple’s most affordable iPhone.
While Apple has not disclosed the iPhone 16e's battery capacity, the company claims it provides up to six hours more battery life than the iPhone 11 and up to eleven hours more than the SE (2022).
When and How to pre-order
The iPhone 16e is available for pre-order from February 21, accessible through Apple's official website. This year, the iPhone 16e is priced at $599, marking a $150 increase from the SE (2022). The iPhone 16, within the same product line, is priced $200 higher than the new 16e model.