The iPhone 16e is the cheapest iPhone on the roster
Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e overnight, a $999 smartphone that's remarkably similar to the iPhone 16, including Apple Intelligence support.
In my reviews of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Max last year, I argued that the core iPhone 16 model was the better option for most people. Because Apple has boosted its processing to support Apple Intelligence across both models, the "Pro" differentiator has become less pronounced unless you create content professionally.
But overnight Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e, a lower-cost version of the iPhone 16. It looks remarkably similar to the core model, including the same 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, an A18 processor and 5G connectivity. The specs are designed to offer Apple Intelligence support at a $999 price point for the 128GB model.
But you just know that Apple has made some sacrifices to achieve that price. So what's been cut? And does it make the 16e a better option than the core iPhone 16 now?
Camera cuts
Well, that depends on your needs. The biggest, most significant difference is the camera, which has been cut back to a single 48MP Fusion lens. There is no longer an ultra-wide lens in the body.
Apple has done some engineering wizardry here to allow for 2x telephoto shots, but it's not a true 2x zoom. So if photography is key for you, then you probably want to spring for the more expensive iPhone. But you still get a version of Portrait mode and Night modes, though spatial video obviously isn't an option now.
There's no Camera Control button, which was introduced on the iPhone 16 series last year. But that's no great loss, really.
Another notch
Rather than the Dynamic Island found on the iPhone 16, the 16e brings back the notch. That means you get FaceID rather than TouchID and a Home button like the previous iPhone SE, but not the cool interactive icons of the Dynamic Island.
Also missing is MagSafe charging. Honestly, this is probably the biggest red flag for me - I love MagSafe charging so much, particularly with Apple's Standby mode and a Belkin BoostCharge 2 charger to turn the iPhone into the best alarm clock ever.
On the plus side, you do get the customisable Action button, so you can quickly and easily kick into your favourite app or turn on the torch or silence your phone – whatever you want, really. You can also use it to activate Visual Intelligence, given there's no Camera Control button here.
Lesser GPU
While the iPhone 16e boasts the A18 processor, it is a slightly different version that only offers a 4-core GPU, rather than the 16's 5-core.
Honestly, you probably won't notice the difference too much unless you are here to push your phone's gaming capabilities to the max. But if you are, you'd probably spring for the more expensive phones anyway.
One of the potential upsides here is the boost to battery life. Apple claims that the 16e has the best battery life of any 6.1-inch phone it has released, lasting up to six hours longer than iPhone 11 and up to 12 hours longer than all generations of iPhone SE.
You do get Apple Intelligence
The pivot to iPhone 16e rather than the widely expected iPhone SE update is down to one key reason: Apple Intelligence.
Apple is obviously pushing its AI offering harder than ever before by making sure it has a hardware lineup capable of supporting the intensive computational needs of AI.
While more power is never a bad thing, I still don't think Apple Intelligence has offered anything that makes it a must use app. At least it's easy to switch off.
There's satellite support and a custom modem
Also worth pointing out is that Apple has still managed to include its satellite emergency SOS features for when you are outside of mobile coverage, as well as crash detection.
Part of this is powered by Apple's first in-house cellular modem, the C1, which Apple describes as the most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone.
Pricing and availability
Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e start at 12am AEDT on Saturday, 22 February, with general availability on Friday 28 February.
The iPhone 16e will come in black and white colours, with 128GB, 256GB and 512GB options. Pricing looks like this:
- 128GB: $999
- 256GB: $1,199
- 512GB: $1549
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Nick Broughall
