Apple has officially released a new low-cost phone, but it is not only a replacement for its affordable iPhone SE series. The so-called iPhone 16e is the cheapest iPhone Apple right now. It can narrow down some features from the iPhone 16 so that cheap devices are cheaper, but higher than the budget iPhone SE series. So, who is the iPhone 16e?
The iPhone 16e's starting price starts at $600 is unavailable for many iPhone fans (by comparison, the 2022 iPhone SE is about $430). Instead, Apple has added an option under its premium lineup, as does the Android phone maker, as does the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and the $500 Google Pixel 8A can do as well. Perhaps most importantly, the iPhone 16e is now the cheapest device with Apple's smart — and connected to Apple's emergency SOS satellite messaging service.
Even at the budget market price, the cheapest iPhone has a few ideal customers. The most obvious one is consumers who want Apple's clean phone and operating system design, but are tired of the decade-long screen and home button technology in the iPhone SE series. The iPhone 16e has a comprehensive 6.1-inch XDR OLED display design with modern features such as a 48-megapixel main rear camera, booting 128GB of storage and USB-C ports. This is a current phone with only enough neat specs to not encounter dates when purchasing.
The next category of buyers are those who correctly feel the sting in their wallet when paying $800 or more for the iPhone 16. The iPhone 16e is $200 cheaper, retaining the A18 chip and storage options that trim certain features alongside its more expensive iPhone 16 compatriots like a 12-megapixel speeding rear camera, dynamic island, and 25-watt wireless charging speed using magsafe Faster (the iPhone 16e has significant 7.5 watts, no magnetic capability) some video modes such as spatial video and connectivity, such as MMWave 5G, Wi-Fi 7 and Ultra Gidband. But overall, these are easy to lose good perks, at a 25% discount.
This cheap price can also attract some former iPhone owners who think Apple's premium phones are too expensive and are also stiffened by the outdated design of the iPhone SE series.
Sadly, the iPhone 16e may also be the best option for buyers who deliberately look for the latest version of the iPhone SE – and there is no other option in the Apple Store. Apple's blow to budget iPhone fans, removing iPhone SE (2022) from its online store (the retail store you might want to follow), meaning they have to pick up the next low-cost iOS device retailer at a third party or do a refurbishment. People who are strolling to the Apple store or searching for new affordable phones online have no choice but to pick up the iPhone 16e.
Finally, some people may be interesting but don't want to spend $800 or more to get into new technology. With the A18 chip, the iPhone 16E can run Apple's Generative AI capabilities and presumably access all the features in the company's higher-priced premium phones.
Overall, the iPhone 16E represents the earthquake shift when Apple is modernizing its lowest-priced phones, but its higher prices leave more budget-conscious buyers. If this is the evolution of the iPhone SE cable, it also loses the best results that make the phone series: a reliable phone has decent specs that could last five years or more, while Apple's basic premium phone costs half the price.
Watch the following: iPhone SE 4 vs. iPhone 17 Air Rumor: Does the size exceed the cost?
