Apple has launched the iPhone 16e, a new addition to its iPhone 16 lineup, designed with high-end features at a more affordable price.
The device comes with Apple’s latest innovations, including the A18 chip, the company’s first in-house cellular modem (C1), and a solid camera system that enhances mobile photography.
With a sleek design, advanced AI-powered tools, and improved battery life, the iPhone 16e aims to be an ideal option for users seeking cutting-edge technology without breaking the bank.
Design and Display
The iPhone 16e included a refined and modern aesthetic, crafted with durability and user comfort in mind. The device has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, providing rich colours, deep blacks, and high brightness levels for an immersive viewing experience.
Apple continues its tradition of premium build quality, building the iPhone 16e with an aerospace-grade aluminium frame and a Ceramic Shield front cover for enhanced durability. The device maintains an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, ensuring protection against spills and submersion in water up to a certain depth.
Apple has opted for a matte black and white colour scheme, delivering a minimalist and sophisticated look. The device also supports both USB-C connectivity and MagSafe wireless charging, making it more convenient for users transitioning from other Apple devices.
Performance and AI-Powered Features
The iPhone 16e was built with Apple’s A18 chip, which brings improvements in speed, power efficiency, and overall performance. This processor ensures seamless multitasking, smooth gaming experiences, and enhanced AI-driven capabilities.
One of the interesting features of the iPhone 16e is the introduction of Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI-powered tools designed to enhance user experience while prioritising privacy. The features include:
- Clean Up tool in Photos: Utilises machine learning to remove unwanted objects from images with precision.
- Natural Language Search: Allows users to find messages, notes, and documents using conversational queries.
- Image Playground: Provides a creative toolset for generating AI-powered visuals.
- Visual Intelligence: Enables object recognition, text translation, and interactive digital content exploration.
The Action Button makes a return, offering users a shortcut to essential functions such as launching the camera, activating the flashlight, or running app-specific commands. This level of customisation enhances the device’s overall usability.
Camera System and Photography Enhancements
Apple has upgraded the camera system on the iPhone 16e, making it a great choice for mobile photography enthusiasts. The device features a 48MP main camera sensor, utilising computational photography techniques for sharper, more detailed images.
The camera system includes:
- 2x Optical Telephoto Zoom: Enables users to capture distant subjects with greater clarity.
- Night Mode Enhancements: Delivers improved low-light performance with better exposure and colour accuracy.
- TrueDepth Front Camera with Autofocus: Ensures high-quality selfies and clearer video calls.
- 4K Dolby Vision Recording: Allows for professional-grade video capture, enhanced by spatial audio and wind noise reduction for superior sound clarity.
With its advanced image-processing algorithms, the iPhone 16e ensures energetic and natural-looking photos, even in challenging lighting conditions.
Safety and Connectivity Features
Apple always prioritises user safety with the integration of emergency communication features. The iPhone 16e includes:
- Satellite-Based Emergency SOS: Enables users to send distress signals in areas without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.
- Roadside Assistance via Satellite: Allows drivers to request help in remote locations.
- Crash Detection: Automatically contacts emergency responders in the event of a severe car accident.
The introduction of Apple’s first in-house C1 modem ensures improved connectivity and power efficiency, delivering faster 5G performance while extending battery life. Additionally, the iPhone 16e runs iOS 18, which introduces greater personalisation, enhanced privacy controls, and RCS messaging support for better compatibility with non-Apple devices.
Battery Life and Charging
With the efficiency of the A18 chip and Apple’s optimised power management, the iPhone 16e offers extended battery life, capable of lasting an entire day on a single charge under typical usage.
Charging options include:
- MagSafe and Qi2 Wireless Charging for seamless, cable-free power-ups.
- USB-C Fast Charging that can deliver 50% charge in approximately 30 minutes with a compatible adapter.
Availability and Pricing
Apple has strategically built the iPhone 16e to be an affordable alternative within the iPhone 16 lineup, making flagship features accessible to a wider audience. The device will be available for pre-order starting Friday, 21st February 2025, with official sales beginning on Friday, 28th February 2025.
Price Range
iPhone 16e will be available in white and black in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities, starting at $599 (U.S.) or $24.95 (U.S.) per month for 24 months.
