Apple launches iPhone 16e: Affordable price yet powerful enough for AI
The iPhone 16e by Apple combines a good price with AI-powered performance. Discover the pre-sale date, official launch, and price
Apple has officially unveiled its newest addition to the iPhone 16 family, the iPhone 16e, a budget-friendly yet powerful device that promises to revolutionize the smartphone market. With a price tag designed to appeal to a broader audience, the iPhone 16e delivers impressive performance, including the ability to run advanced AI applications, making it a perfect choice for users looking for both affordability and cutting-edge technology. Apple's decision to include AI capabilities in this entry-level model marks a significant shift, showing that powerful technology is no longer reserved for premium devices.
In this article, we break down everything we know about the smartphone that promises to deliver powerful features without breaking the bank.
Design and features of the iPhone 16e
The new iPhone 16e ditches the traditional home button and fingerprint sensor, opting instead for Apple’s FaceID scanner and a sleek, modern design. The phone features a sensor notch at the top of the screen, which is in line with the design trends of recent Apple devices. Available in black and white, the iPhone 16e’s design is minimalist and functional, focusing on maximizing screen space while maintaining user-friendly functionality.
This new iPhone will only be available in black and white. Photo: Apple
Powerful performance with Apple’s A18 Chip
Powered by the A18 chip, the iPhone 16e boasts the same processing power as the higher-end iPhone 16 models. This updated processor ensures that the device can run all the same apps and games that more expensive iPhones are capable of handling, making it an excellent choice for users who want top-tier performance without paying the premium price.
Camera and modem upgrades
The iPhone 16e comes equipped with a single camera lens, which is a more modest setup compared to the multiple camera lenses found on the top-tier iPhone models. Despite this, it still offers great photo quality for everyday use. Additionally, Apple has introduced its first cellular modem, the C1, delivering fast and reliable 5G cellular connectivity; replacing the Qualcomm modems used in previous models.
Unlike the rest of the iPhone 16 family, this new iPhone 16e will have only one camera. Photo: Apple
Access to Apple Intelligence
One of the standout features of the iPhone 16e is its support for Apple Intelligence, which brings AI-powered features such as image generation and notification summaries to the device. This makes the iPhone 16e Apple’s most affordable phone yet to access these advanced capabilities, further differentiating it from other budget phones in the market.
Despite its low cost, the new iPhone 16 e will have AI-powered features. Photo: Apple
Pricing and availability
The iPhone 16e will come in white and black colors with storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, starting at $599 (U.S.) or $24.95 (U.S.) per month for 24 months. It will be available for pre-order starting at 5 a.m. PST on Friday, February 21, in 59 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Turkey, the UAE, the UK, and the U.S.
The iPhone 16e will officially launch and be available for purchase on Friday, February 28.