Adapted by:
Ricardo Aguilar
Writer
Karen Alfaro
WriterThe wait is over. Apple has officially announced the iPhone 16e, the long-awaited successor to the fourth-generation iPhone SE. This new entry-level model blends the best of the iPhone 16 with recycled hardware from previous generations, offering an affordable way to enter the Apple ecosystem.
With a single camera, a familiar design, and Apple Intelligence as its standout feature, here’s what this iOS gateway has to offer.
iPhone 16e Specs
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IPHONE 16E |
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SCREEN |
6.1” OLED Super Retina XDR 2,532 by 1,170px (460 ppi) Up to 1,200 nits True Tone, HDR |
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SIZE AND WEIGHT |
147.67 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 167 g |
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PROCESSOR |
Apple A18 Bionic |
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RAM |
8 GB |
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SOFTWARE |
iOS 18 Apple Intelligence |
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BACK CAMERA |
48 MP, 26 mm, f/1.6 |
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FRONT CAMERA |
12 MP, f /1.9 True Depth |
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BATTERY |
Not available |
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CONNECTIVITY |
USB-C |
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OTHER |
Face ID Dynamic Island IP68 Emergency calls Accident detection |
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PRICE |
The Notch Is Back
Thought the notch was gone? Think again. The iPhone 16e features a 6.1-inch OLED display with Full HD+ resolution and a 60 Hz refresh rate. It includes Face ID but lacks Dynamic Island, so it retains the notch to house biometric sensors. Unlike the iPhone 15 and 16 models, its display brightness maxes out at 1,200 nits—lower than the 2,000 nits on higher-end models.
The front resembles the iPhone 14, but the back evokes even older models. A single rear camera subtly recalls the iPhone 8. The design sticks to aluminum and glass, with Apple’s familiar side button layout, including a programmable action button but no camera control like the iPhone 16 series.
At 6.1 inches, the iPhone 16e has dimensions similar to the SE models. It remains a compact and lightweight option for those who prefer smaller phones over “Plus” and “Max” models.
The Heart of the iPhone 16
Historically, iPhone SE models haven’t featured Apple’s latest processors—until now. The reason? Apple Intelligence demands significant resources, including at least 8GB of RAM, which is why the iPhone 15 lineup was left out, except for the Pro models.
The iPhone 16e runs on the same Apple A18 Bionic chip as the iPhone 16, with one key difference: Its GPU has one fewer core. With a total of four GPU cores, its graphics performance is slightly below that of the iPhone 16 but remains powerful.
Another major upgrade is the C1 modem—Apple’s first in-house 5G modem, replacing Qualcomm’s. Apple claims it’s more energy-efficient, giving the iPhone 16e four more hours of video playback than the iPhone 16. Its battery lasts 26 hours, just one hour less than the iPhone 16 Pro.
The iPhone 16e lacks MagSafe but supports up to 7.5W of Qi wireless charging. Its USB-C port is USB 2.0, the same as the standard iPhone 16. It includes satellite connectivity, full 5G, crash detection, and eSIM support.
The key reason for this upgraded hardware? Apple Intelligence. Apple ensured its entry-level model has full AI capabilities, keeping it on par with pricier models.
A Single Camera, Like the Old Days
The iPhone 16e follows the iPhone SE tradition with a single camera. It inherits a 48-megapixel sensor that enables “optical” zoom at two magnifications, offering a small telephoto effect to compensate for the lack of multiple lenses.
There’s no ultra-wide lens, and the front camera is a 12-megapixel TrueDepth sensor with depth detection for portrait mode.
iPhone 16e Pricing and Availability
The iPhone 16e will be available for pre-order this Friday, starting at $599. The first deliveries begin next Friday, Feb. 28, making it the most affordable iPhone of 2025.
Images | Apple
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