Apple has unveiled the iPhone 16E, expanding its iPhone 16 lineup while giving the 2022 iPhone SE a significant update with a new name, design, improved processor, and advanced Apple Intelligence features. The iPhone 16E is priced at $599 (£599, AU$999), marking a $170 increase from the previous SE’s starting price of $429, and positioning it between budget models like the Google Pixel 8A ($499) and Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE ($650).
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Unlike Apple’s flagship models, the iPhone 16E is powered by the A18 chip (the same as the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus), enabling it to run advanced AI features, making it a rare find in the affordable phone market. While the iPhone 16E appears to be an upgrade from the iPhone SE in many ways, it doesn’t maintain the SE’s hallmark low price or compact design. Nonetheless, with potential carrier discounts, it could still offer value. Preorders for the iPhone 16E will begin on February 21, with sales launching on February 28.
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iPhone 16E design
The iPhone 16E draws design inspiration from the iPhone 14, featuring an aluminum body with a matte glass back that helps prevent fingerprints. Replacing the mute switch is an Action button, which lets users activate shortcuts, including the ability to trigger Visual Intelligence searches. It also features a USB-C charging port instead of the traditional Lightning port. With the 16E, Apple bids farewell to the iconic home button, which has defined iPhone designs since the original model.
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The 16E has a 6.1-inch display, marking the end of Apple’s smaller iPhone options, but it comes with a 60Hz refresh rate, which feels outdated compared to the 90Hz refresh rates found on many budget Android phones. Additionally, the iPhone 16E includes a screen notch but lacks the Dynamic Island cutout. As for color options, the iPhone 16E is available only in black or white.
The iPhone 16E follows a history of redesigns for the SE series, which began in 2016 with a design based on the iPhone 5S. Over the years, Apple updated the SE models, incorporating newer chips like the A13 Bionic in 2020 and the A15 Bionic in 2022, but the 16E introduces a more significant shift with its new design and features.
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The iPhone 16E’s C1 modem and battery
The iPhone 16E introduces a unique feature: an Apple-designed 5G modem, known as the C1 chip. Apple claims this modem is the “most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone,” though it only supports standard 5G, excluding the ultra-fast millimeter-wave 5G seen in some stadiums. We’re eager to test the iPhone 16E’s data speeds and phone call quality when it’s available.
With the combination of the A18 chip and the new C1 modem, Apple promises improved efficiency and longer battery life. While the 16E doesn’t offer a price drop compared to the SE, its enhanced battery life could be a standout feature. However, it does lack support for MagSafe charging, which means no magnetic accessories or fast wireless charging. Instead, it supports wireless charging at a slower 7.5-watt speed but can charge wired at 20 watts.
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iPhone 16E cameras
The iPhone 16E features a 48-megapixel rear camera as its main sensor. While it lacks an ultrawide lens, the high resolution allows for sensor cropping, providing a 2x magnification option, which can mimic the effect of a secondary camera.
On the front, there’s a 12-megapixel camera with autofocus, designed for clear selfies, and it also supports Face ID for secure unlocking.
The iPhone 16E features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2532×1170 pixels and a 60Hz refresh rate, offering 460ppi pixel density. In comparison, the iPhone 16 also comes with a 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display, but with a slightly higher resolution of 2556×1179 pixels and the same 60Hz refresh rate. The iPhone SE (2022) is much smaller with a 4.7-inch LCD display at a lower resolution of 1334×750 pixels and a 60Hz refresh rate, offering only 326ppi pixel density. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 matches the iPhone 16 with its 6.1-inch OLED display and the same resolution of 2556×1179 pixels.
In terms of weight, the iPhone 16E weighs 167g (5.88 oz.), slightly lighter than the iPhone 16 at 170g (6 oz.). The iPhone SE (2022) is the lightest at 144g (5.09 oz.), while the iPhone 15 weighs 171g (6.02 oz.).
When it comes to processing power, the iPhone 16E runs on the A18 chip, the same as the iPhone 16. In contrast, the iPhone SE (2022) uses the older A15 Bionic chip, while the iPhone 15 comes with the A16 Bionic chip.
For camera capabilities, the iPhone 16E features a 48-megapixel wide lens while the iPhone 16 has a dual-camera system, including a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens in addition to the 48-megapixel wide lens. The iPhone SE (2022) is equipped with a 12-megapixel wide camera, and the iPhone 15 also has a 48-megapixel wide camera along with a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens.
The front-facing camera on the iPhone 16E is a 12-megapixel camera, which matches the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15, while the iPhone SE (2022) only has a 7-megapixel front camera.
In terms of battery life, the iPhone 16E offers up to 26 hours of video playback and 21 hours of streamed video playback, with 90 hours of audio playback. The iPhone 16 offers slightly lower video playback times but also supports MagSafe wireless charging. The iPhone SE (2022) has more modest battery performance and no MagSafe support. The iPhone 15 offers up to 20 hours of video playback.
In terms of storage options, the iPhone 16E comes in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB variants. The iPhone 16 offers the same storage capacities, while the iPhone SE (2022) starts at 64GB and goes up to 256GB. The iPhone 15 has similar storage options to the iPhone 16.
The iPhone 16E has Face ID and uses USB-C for charging, with a 20W wired charging capacity, though no MagSafe support. The iPhone 16 also features Face ID and supports MagSafe charging, while the iPhone SE (2022) has a home button and Lightning connector. The iPhone 15 also supports MagSafe charging and eSIM for cellular connectivity.
The iPhone 16E is priced at $599 for the 128GB model, while the iPhone 16 starts at $799, and the iPhone SE (2022) starts at $399. The iPhone 15 also starts at $799.