Apple’s budget iPhone SE morphed into the new iPhone 16e Wednesday, bringing a thorough redesign with a larger screen, longer battery life, a more robust camera, and a processor that can handle Apple Intelligence tasks. It’s a whole new “budget” iPhone, and it comes at a 40% price increase over the iPhone SE 3, at $599.
This is iPhone 16e with our latest-generation Apple silicon, breakthrough battery life, an incredible high-resolution, two-in-one camera system, and the powerful features of iOS 18, all in a durable and beautiful design,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a video about the new entry-level iPhone. However, unlike the standard model, the 16e lacks some premium features like the iPhone 16 Dynamic Island, which enhances user experience with interactive notifications and multitasking improvements.
“iPhone 16e joins the iPhone 16 family as its most affordable member,” he added. “And it has Apple Intelligence, our powerful personal intelligence system with features that help you save time, quickly get more things done, and express yourself in new ways.”
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iPhone 16e debuts with 48MP camera, powerful A18 chip
Apple’s popular budget handset, iPhone SE, seemed destined for its first big overhaul with the fourth iteration — but instead Apple rebranded it as iPhone 16e. It features a thorough redesign with a larger screen and vastly improved functionality. And yet, surprisingly, it’s not a MagSafe iPhone like others since iPhone 12.
It features a 6.1-inch screen with a notch (not the Dynamic Island, as some rumors predicted). The Home button is finally gone after 18 years of service in favor of more screen space. And the new 48MP Fusion camera, similar to the one on iPhone 16, is more advanced than on the iPhone SE 3. The A18 processor onboard is considerably brawnier, too, so it can handle Apple Intelligence tasks. And the new handset brings Apple’s in-house C1 modem and of course comes with a USB-C connector rather than Lightning.
A18 chipset and Apple C1 modem
Image: Apple
The iPhone 16e comes equipped with Apple’s latest A18 chip found in the iPhone 16 series.
“A18 will help iPhone 16e feel fast for years to come, and you’ll discover a huge boost in speed when upgrading from an older phone,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple VP of iPhone product marketing, in the video.
The new handset is 40% faster than iPhone SE 3 and 80% faster than iPhone 11, Apple said, and the new C1 modem brings an efficiency boost.
“We’re expanding the benefits of Apple silicon with C1, the first Apple-designed cellular modem,” Drance said. “It provides fast and reliable connectivity, and it’s the most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone.” If you’re considering an iPhone purchase, this model’s performance upgrades make it a strong contender.
The C1 modem’s size enabled a design with more battery space, resulting in the best battery life ever seen in a 6.1-inch iPhone, Apple said. It lasts up to six hours longer than the iPhone 11 and 12 hours more than any iPhone SE model.
48MP Fusion 2-in-1 camera system
Photographers will find a notable upgrade in the new 48MP Fusion camera system. It includes an integrated 2x Telephoto capability. This “two-in-one” system allows for optical-quality zoom without requiring a separate lens.
“With iPhone 16e, we created a custom version of our remarkable 48MP Fusion camera,” said Lucy Browning, director of iPhone product design. “It’s a marvel of engineering that combines the capability of two cameras in one, and it takes beautiful photos and videos.”
Browning noted the new 48MP sensor allows the camera to capture “super-high-resolution photos with amazing image quality that balances light and detail compared to older iPhones,” providing up to four times the resolution. She also noted the front-facing camera features the same resolution as other iPhone 16 models for selfies and more.
The device can capture 4K video at 60fps with Dolby Vision support. And it includes new audio features like studio-quality sound mixing and wind noise reduction.
Action button
Graphic: Apple/Cult of Mac
A significant addition to the iPhone 16e is the Action button, previously reserved for premium models. Users can customize this button for quick access to various functions, from launching the camera to activating Siri or third-party apps.
The device also introduces Visual Intelligence features, allowing users to identify objects, translate text, and even access ChatGPT directly through Siri.
“With just a press, you can launch an app you frequently use, turn on the flashlight or instantly open the camera,” Drance said. “On iPhone 16 E, the Action Button also lets you access Visual Intelligence, making the camera even more helpful.”
“For instance, you can quickly find out how to care for a plant or add a neighborhood event to your calendar,” she added. “Or search Google for where to buy that cool pair of sneakers.”
Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence, the company’s new AI system, is deeply integrated into the iPhone 16e. Notable features include an image Clean Up tool for removing unwanted elements from photos, natural language photo search, and enhanced Siri capabilities.
“It’s deeply personal, built with industry-leading privacy, and integrated across the apps you use, like Photos, where you can clean up a distraction or find a specific photo just by describing it,” Drance said. “Create the perfect emoji by typing a few words with options as fast as your imagination, or use Image Playground to create a personalized image of yourself or a friend and share a picture that can express more than words.”
Apple partnered with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT functionality directly into the system, though users can opt out of this feature.
Watch Apple’s video:
Durability and storage
The device maintains Apple’s commitment to durability with IP68 water resistance and Ceramic Shield protection. It has four times the drop protection of older iPhones, Browning said.
iPhone 16e comes in two matte finishes — black and white — with storage options ranging from 128GB to 512GB. The device also includes Apple’s satellite emergency features and crash detection capabilities. So you can get messages to loved ones or first responders when necessary, even when you don’t have Wi-Fi or cellular coverage.
On the environmental front, the iPhone 16e aligns with Apple’s 2030 carbon neutrality goals, incorporating more than 30% recycled materials overall, including 100% recycled cobalt in its battery and 85% recycled aluminum in its enclosure.
iPhone 16e features
Image: Apple
- Edge-to-edge 6.1-inch OLED display with a notch and Face ID (no Home Button)
- A18 chip (same as iPhone 16) with support for Apple Intelligence.
- 48MP Fusion 2-in-1 camera (similar to iPhone 16)
- First Apple-designed 5G modem, Apple C1
- Action button replaces mute switch.
- Capacity options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- USB-C port replaces Lightning connector.
- Price increases to $599 from $429 (for iPhone SE 3).
Rumors also speculated the new budget iPhone would debut alongside the M4 MacBook Air, M3 iPad Air and iPad 11, but those aren’t out yet.
With a starting price of $599, iPhone 16e should hit stores on February 28, with preorders beginning February 21, Apple said.
Preorder iPhone 16e from: Apple
Apple's budget entry in the iPhone 16 lineup is the first device to use Apple's efficient C1 modem. It delivers long battery life and Face ID but skimps on key features, including MagSafe.
- High-end Apple design at a lower price point
- Apple C1 modem
- Longer battery life than other iPhone 16 models
- No MagSafe, Dynamic Island or Ultra Wideband chip
- Only two colors: black and white
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
