The iPhone 16e replaces the budget iPhone SE 3, but follows a new design philosophy. Apple’s cheaper handsets used to be moderately updated versions of older models. Instead, the 16e is based on one of Apple’s latest models — but with many noncritical features removed.
Nevertheless, the cheaper and the standard variants have much in common. The size and shape of the more affordable version is almost identical to the pricier iPhone 16, and both have a 6.1-inch touchscreen at a 2532-by-1170-pixel resolution. Both have Apple’s Action button and a USB-C port.
Despite its lower cost, on the inside of the budget model is an Apple A18 processor, and it supports Apple Intelligence. It offers 5G cellular wireless networking and even satellite messaging.
And note that the Apple claims 21 hours of video streaming — better than the standard iPhone 16.
iPhone 16e launched in February 2025 at $599. Buyers can choose from 128GB, 256GB or 512GB of storage.
As with any other new Apple product, the iFixit team has given the iPhone 17e a teardown treatment. The most interesting takeaway?
You can add MagSafe support to your iPhone 16e using the iPhone 17e’s back panel.
All signs point to Apple unveiling the iPhone 17e on February 19, and YouTuber Jon Prosser just posted a video that gives us a good look at what to expect.
Contrary to previous leaks, the renders show the iPhone 17e with a Dynamic Island on the front.
Apple will reportedly unveil the iPhone 17e on February 19, exactly a year after the iPhone 16e and less than two weeks from now. It will apparently announce the device through a press release, with no press event planned.
The refresh focus will seemingly focus on incremental upgrades rather than major design changes.
Apple will introduce a new privacy feature in iOS 26.3 exclusive to iPhones with its C1x or C1 modems. The feature will prevent cellular carriers from seeing iPhone owners’ precise location data.
“With the limit precise location setting, you can limit some information that cellular networks may use to determine your location,” says Apple in its support document.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is Apple’s flagship phone. But in popular YouTuber MKBHD’s yearly Smartphone Awards 2025, the iPhone 17 bagged the Phone of the Year award, beating its siblings and Android rivals.
The iPhone Air and iPhone 16e also won three more awards in different categories.
The Federal Communications Commission accidentally exposed Apple’s plans for several unreleased products, including an updated Vision Pro headset, new MacBook Pro models and refreshed iPad Pro tablets, on Tuesday. The FCC leaks of Apple products mark the latest in a series of premature disclosures from the regulatory agency that have frustrated Apple’s typically secretive product launch strategy.
The Federal Communications Commission appeared to inadvertently expose detailed electrical schematics for Apple’s iPhone 16e, despite the company’s explicit request to keep the documents confidential. The leak, discovered Monday, looks like a breach of the regulatory agency’s confidentiality protocols and could potentially benefit Apple’s competitors.
Apple will reportedly expand the use of custom chips in its future devices. This will start with the upcoming iPhone 17 Air using its in-house modem.
The M5 MacBook Air will allegedly then follow, using a new in-house wireless chip, likely combining Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionality into one.
Apple’s upcoming super-slim iPhone 17 Air could weigh just 5.11 ounces, according to a new leak. That would make it one of the lightest smartphones on the market. However, the phone’s thinness could come at the expense of battery life.
The leaker says the device will come with a paltry 2,800mAh battery. But Apple might tap new technology to make that tiny battery last longer than you would expect.
The iPhone 16e already seems to be a winner for Apple. US sales data analyzed by CIRP show the new budget iPhone accounting for 7% of sales in Q1 2025.
This is with the device only launching at the end of February. So, it spent just one month on sale during the entire quarter.
Apple now sells iPhone 16e repair parts for DIYers and enthusiasts. You can purchase replacement parts through Apple’s online Self Service Repair Store in the US and Europe.
The spare parts go on sale within 1.5 months of the iPhone 16e hitting retail stores.
The iPhone 16e marks the debut of Apple’s in-house 5G modem. Despite missing mmWave 5G support, the modem still impresses. Apple touts it as the most efficient modem ever in an iPhone.
Ookla, the company behind Speedtest, has released a detailed analysis of the iPhone 16e’s network performance based on their preliminary data.
If you got or will soon get an iPhone 16e, way to go! The new iPhone 16e has plenty to recommend it, even if lacks MagSafe and it’s not as affordable, at $599, as the discontinued SE model it replaces. iPhone 16e boasts more functionality and costs more, so you have even more reason to get a nice case for it.
Is it worth it to buy the iPhone 16e? Apple’s latest entry-level iPhone brings a nice balance of modern features and capabilities at a reasonable price. It’s also possibly the nicest-looking iPhone in the current lineup.
If you’re still on an iPhone SE, now is a great time to upgrade. You’ll be getting a modern device with Face ID, Apple Intelligence, 5G, USB-C and more — in a handsome and lightweight design.
Is it worthwhile to upgrade? We have a guide below with helpful charts and a video to help you decide.
Apple’s recent decision to replace the iPhone SE with the more premium iPhone 16e marks a shift in the company’s approach to the budget smartphone market — and it might be a big risk, according to new research. The new iPhone 16e, priced at $599, represents a pretty big jump from the iPhone SE’s $429 price point. And that raises questions about whether Apple’s strategy will pay off. Will iPhone SE owners buy iPhone 16e?
The new iPhone 16e proves about as repairable as other members of the iPhone 16 family, according to iFixit’s teardown of Apple’s new budget phone. Despite its lower price tag, the iPhone 16e packs many of the repairability features of its more-expensive siblings, including the ionic liquid battery adhesive that makes replacement easier.
However, iFixit’s teardown leaves one key question unanswered: Why did Apple omit MagSafe from iPhone 16e?
★★★★☆
The iPhone 16e might lack some of the iPhone’s most premium features, but I can’t help but love it. While testing it for my iPhone 16e review, the phone’s light weight and clean rear design made me happy every time I picked it up, in a way I haven’t felt since my iPhone 5s. And its updated guts make it a perfectly serviceable daily driver that’ll stay fast and responsive for years to come.
It isn’t as cheap as the iPhone SE it replaces in Apple’s lineup. And while it largely resembles the iPhone 14 and 15, it’s missing MagSafe, one of the iPhone’s best features for many years now.
I downgraded from my personal iPhone 16 Pro to the iPhone 16e for the review, to put it through its paces — and came out impressed. Keep reading or watch the video below.
Starting at $599, the iPhone 16e costs less than an iPhone 15. As you’ll see in this iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 15 comparison, Apple admittedly (and unavoidably) cut some corners while making its newest budget phone. However, the iPhone 16e also flexes some muscles the iPhone 15 can’t. If you’re interested in expert opinions and in-depth analysis, check out the latest iPhone SE reviews.
So, should you save your money and get the iPhone 16e or spend the extra $100 for the iPhone 15? Find out in this comparison.
A week after preorders began, the iPhone 16e went on sale Friday. If you preordered the device, your order should arrive today.
The newest member of the iPhone 16 family starts at $599, replacing the third-gen iPhone SE as the budget model in Apple’s lineup.
Early reviews of the iPhone 16e give the first real-world experience of the $599 phone that launches Friday. The takeaway: While it skimps on some features, the iPhone 16e offers excellent performance and is one of Apple’s best options for lengthy battery life.
Nevertheless, some reviews question whether the limited features justify the “budget” iPhone’s $599 price.
The new iPhone 16e drew criticism because it costs 40% more than the handset it replaced, the budget-priced iPhone SE 3. Critics assume Apple cynically took away something lots of buyers wanted: a cheap iPhone. But actually, Apple couldn’t sell many of the low-cost model, according to industry analysts.
The newest offering, with significantly improved specs over the now-defunct iPhone SE 3, seems to be Apple’s attempt to make a low-end handset that more consumers will be interested in, even if the cost went up.
If you’re considering whether to buy Apple iPhone, you might want to see how the iPhone 16e compares to its predecessor.
Apple is now accepting preorders for the iPhone 16e. Prices for the newest member of the iPhone 16 family start from $599.
Shipping for the iPhone 16e start a week later, on February 28.
Apple reportedly will switch to an in-house Wi-Fi chip with the upcoming iPhone 17 series, while the rumored slim iPhone 17 model will be the only device with both Apple’s Wi-Fi chip and the company’s own C1 modem for cellular, GPS and satellite connectivity.
iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 16 — it’s decision time for anyone considering an affordable iPhone. The iPhone 16e, Apple’s newest addition to its iPhone 16 family, costs $599. It iPhone replaces the iPhone SE 3 to become the cheapest Apple smartphone with an A18 chip.
At first glance, the iPhone 16e seems quite similar to the iPhone 16, despite a $200 lower price. So, how does the iPhone 16e compare to the iPhone 16? Should you save your money and get Apple’s newest iPhone? Or pay extra and go for the iPhone 16? If you’re wondering which device best suits your needs, our iPhone for life guide breaks it down in detail.
There’s one feature missing from the new iPhone 16e that makes it a big “no” for me, dog — MagSafe. Apple’s failure to include a few cheap magnets, which could have enabled a wonderful array of iPhone accessories, seems like the ultimate cost-cutting fail. If you’re comparing it with the iPhone 16, you’ll notice that Apple’s flagship model retains full MagSafe compatibility. For those looking for a long iPhone experience with the latest features, MagSafe might be a key deciding factor. If you frequently use MagSafe accessories like the MagSafe wallet, make sure to check out our list of the best iPhone 16e cases to find a case that fits your needs.
If you’re comparing it with the iPhone 16, you’ll notice that Apple’s flagship model retains full MagSafe compatibility.