Apple iPhone 16e Launched With A18 SoC, Apple Intelligence, And $599 Price Tag

[GGforever]

The wait is finally over - Apple has lifted the curtains off its widely anticipated budget iPhone, the iPhone 16e. The smartphone was previously rumored to arrive with the SE 4 moniker, but it appears that Apple wanted to give its entry-level budget smartphone a fresh naming scheme. This is not the first time that Apple has introduced a new name for a budget iPhone - the company famously introduced the iPhone XR in 2018, and never bothered to give it a refresh. With a starting price of $599, the iPhone 16e will start reaching customers on the 28th of February.

For those keeping up with the rumor mill, a major portion of the leaked information turned out to be accurate after all. For instance, the iPhone 16e is indeed called, well, the iPhone 16e, and boasts a binned A18 SoC with four GPU cores instead of five - likely paired with 8 GB of memory - to allow for Apple Intelligence support. As expected, the design is identical to the iPhone 13-era in many ways. At the front, a 6.1-inch OLED display with a pixel density of 460 sits beneath a 12 MP TrueDepth camera that brings FaceID support. The mute toggle switch is abandoned in favor of the Action Button. Moreover, the device also boasts Apple's first-ever 5G modem, the C1, which is said to bring substantial efficiency improvements.




The infamous notch is here to stay, however, clearly indicating that Apple considers the dynamic island a premium feature. At the rear, a single 48 MP camera is present. Other features, or updates, include USB-C (USB 2.0), 26-hour video playback (vs 22 on the iPhone 16), IP68 rating, emergency SOS (satellite), and a starting price of $599 for the 128 GB variant. The now-discontinued iPhone SE 3 commanded a $429 price tag for the 64 GB variant. Therefore, the price premium for the iPhone 16e does make sense considering the plethora of modern features and upgraded base storage.



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[Bomby569]

weird concept of budget. Maybe I'm the one on the wrong here for all we see everyday in tech.

 

[Onasi]

Meh, too big of a hike versus the SE3. They won’t attract those customers with this.

 

[phints]

A18 already lol what? C1 modem is very interesting. I like the clean look of this having a single camera, mine has 3 cameras it's really silly and just adds weight. The 60Hz OLED here is lame though, 120Hz OLED is just too nice to give up.

Got a 16 Pro, the two added buttons are really annoying and not useful I only hit them by accident. Wish they would ditch the 3 cameras and just put 1 like this on again. Otherwise solid phone.

 

[hsew]

A18 already lol what? C1 modem is very interesting. I like the clean look of this having a single camera, mine has 3 cameras it's really silly and just adds weight. The 60Hz OLED here is lame though, 120Hz OLED is just too nice to give up.

Got a 16 Pro, the two added buttons are really annoying and not useful I only hit them by accident. Wish they would ditch the 3 cameras and just put 1 like this on again. Otherwise solid phone.

The nicer screen, 10gig USB connection, and multiple cameras are what differentiates the lineup though… a single sensor with a fixed lens is only capable of so much.

As someone who once owned a Pro Max, and is not on said phone anymore, I don’t really miss the 120Hz screen. It’s overrated. Purely an aesthetic enhancer, which doesn’t add anything to the functionality of the phone, but DOES reduce battery life. Unless you play a game that runs at 120fps, Most consumed content is static. Even videos only play at 60fps max.

I for one am looking forward to seeing what sort of discounts become available for this phone. Having a programmable button is very nice for me.

 

[Space Lynx]

A18 already lol what? C1 modem is very interesting. I like the clean look of this having a single camera, mine has 3 cameras it's really silly and just adds weight. The 60Hz OLED here is lame though, 120Hz OLED is just too nice to give up.

Got a 16 Pro, the two added buttons are really annoying and not useful I only hit them by accident. Wish they would ditch the 3 cameras and just put 1 like this on again. Otherwise solid phone.

yeah 120hz is hard to give up, and it only adds about 5-6% battery life turning it because of promotion display downclocking it to 1hz when the image is still or w.e dumb feature to cut, especially at this pricepoint.

 

[Philaphlous]

iPhone 13 user here....yes the 16e seems like a good transition...I don't care about 60hz vs 120hz on my phone. I really only care about 4 things: good camera, good battery life, good speed, and good screen.... the E will be just fine for meee....

 

[R0H1T]

C1 modem is very interesting.

They want you to be loyal fanboys guinea pigs & pay $100 more for it

 

[Daven]

At $600, this is NOT the budget iPhone. There is no longer a cheap iPhone. Apple is trying to pull a fast one. I might be switching to Android soon.

 

[Space Lynx]

At $600, this is NOT the budget iPhone. There is no longer a cheap iPhone. Apple is trying to pull a fast one. I might be switching to Android soon.

ya i like my android, $400 at launch, but i got it for 350 on pre-order. 120hz OLED, 4 years of OS updates and 5 years security updates.

i haven't had any issues with it, one of the Galaxy A series line. i kind of wish I had a Pixel phone though, sometimes the samsung bloat annoys me. just would rather have a clean experience, but eh Pixel phones are like double the price, so i can live with it.

 

[Zareek]

Ack at least $100 more than what I'd consider a value phone. My wife has been thinking about upgrading her second gen iPhone SE recently and has been waiting to see what this looks like. She refuses to spend more than $500 on a phone. That's a big step because she wouldn't even consider more than $200 before her SE G2. I guess she'll be getting something else.

 

[aktpu]

Lame, disappointing release that is far too expensive. 100€ more and you can get actual 16

 

[freeagent]

Not sure why all the hate.. If its too rich for your blood you can always buy something else.

In my opinion, iPhones are not meant to be upgraded every year.

I went from a XS Max 256GB to a 14 Pro 1TB, my 14 was a little cheaper, and is a better phone overall.

The Max screen size though.. it is kind of tough to go down, but you get used to it, and being able to 1 hand a phone is nice lol.

 

[GodisanAtheist]

Not sure why all the hate.. If its too rich for your blood you can always buy something else.

In my opinion, iPhones are not meant to be upgraded every year.

I went from a XS Max 256GB to a 14 Pro 1TB, my 14 was a little cheaper, and is a better phone overall.

The Max screen size though.. it is kind of tough to go down, but you get used to it, and being able to 1 hand a phone is nice lol.

- Uh, cause its really expensive for what its supposed to be (budget phone).

I agree though, phones depreciate absurdly quick, I usually pick up a 1 year old mid-range used phone for $200-$300 and its basically new. Much better "budget" category than buying anything new IMO.

 

[Lew Zealand]

In my opinion, iPhones are not meant to be upgraded every year.

I went from a XS Max 256GB to a 14 Pro 1TB, my 14 was a little cheaper, and is a better phone overall.

So you're saying it's probably OK to upgrade my iP7+ now? Hmmm, I suppose I could but I don't wanna jump the gun or anything!

 

[freeagent]

- Uh, cause its really expensive for what its supposed to be (budget phone).

But its an Apple product.. nothing is cheap except for maybe a case or some Airtags or something

So you're saying it's probably OK to upgrade my iP7+ now? Hmmm, I suppose I could but I don't wanna jump the gun or anything!

I went from a 5S to a 7, to a XS Max lol.. big difference each time

 

[Cheeseball]

Not sure why all the hate.. If its too rich for your blood you can always buy something else.

In my opinion, iPhones are not meant to be upgraded every year.

I went from a XS Max 256GB to a 14 Pro 1TB, my 14 was a little cheaper, and is a better phone overall.

The Max screen size though.. it is kind of tough to go down, but you get used to it, and being able to 1 hand a phone is nice lol.

You are probably following the appropriate upgrade path. LOL

My brother had an iPhone XR and I got him an iPhone 15 Pro Max (my current phone as well) in 2023. The performance difference between the two is like a R7 1800X to R7 7700X, where the 1800X was fast enough for everyday use but as apps updated you can feel certain slowdowns, whereas on the newer 7700X you can barely feel any delays. Most notably was the big speed jump in the Camera and Photos apps when loading 9000+ photos. Of course the ProMotion OLED screen was also a big change.

This iPhone 16e (with the e, I'm assuming for economy) at $599 is kind of high. $529 (or even $549) would've probably been an OK launch considering the jump from the A15 Bionic to A18 and USB-C.

 

[kondamin]

719 eur here in Belgium, for the money they should have added a second camera and made it 256GB minimum.

this kind of money used to get you the high end model.

 

[Hecate91]

$599 is entry level now? This is $100 too much for a single camera, 8GB RAM, 60Hz screen, no magsafe, and only usb-c 2.0.
For that kind of money you can get an S24+ or a Pixel 8 Pro.

 

[freeagent]

Eww

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

- Uh, cause its really expensive for what its supposed to be (budget phone).

I agree though, phones depreciate absurdly quick, I usually pick up a 1 year old mid-range used phone for $200-$300 and its basically new. Much better "budget" category than buying anything new IMO.

There are people out there that would take your 2-300 and reply with indignant rage that "those are midrange prices, what is wrong with this world!?!?"

$600 for a phone with 8 years of support and flagship specs is a great deal, what else does that? The pixel a series is the only one that comes to mind. Samsung requires you to buy the $1000+ flagsips to get 7 years, motorola doesnt offer anything remotely close, oneplus only does 6 years. OF all these brands, none of them offer the in person support for repairs that Apple offers.

Android offers a much more open ecosystem, which is why I have a thinkphone, but for the majority the iphone 16e, even at $600, offers much better value then the competition.

$599 is entry level now? This is $100 too much for a single camera, 8GB RAM, 60Hz screen, no magsafe, and only usb-c 2.0.
For that kind of money you can get an S24+ or a Pixel 8 Pro.

This is hilariously wrong. The pixel 8 pro starts at $1000. The S24+ is no longer available, and the S25+ starts at $1119. It's not 2010, flagships are not $600 anymore



The pixel 8a is $500, and currently on sale, but....it only has that 8GB of dreaded RAM. Oh deer...

Not sure why all the hate.. If its too rich for your blood you can always buy something else.

In my opinion, iPhones are not meant to be upgraded every year.

I went from a XS Max 256GB to a 14 Pro 1TB, my 14 was a little cheaper, and is a better phone overall.

The Max screen size though.. it is kind of tough to go down, but you get used to it, and being able to 1 hand a phone is nice lol.

Because people are mad that the low end iphone isnt sold for the same price as the free chinesium garbage from their local cricket dealer.

Like, Apple is the Mercedes of the phone world. Their budget model isn't going to be the same price as an entry level Mitsubishi.

And I agree, much like cars you shouldnt be upgrading your phone unless it breaks or stops working. My android phones tend to last about 4 years before the battery fails or security updates stop. My grandma has an iphone 6 non S and is finally looking to upgrade. For anyone who keeps phones long term the 16e offers pretty good value.

- Uh, cause its really expensive for what its supposed to be (budget phone).

I agree though, phones depreciate absurdly quick, I usually pick up a 1 year old mid-range used phone for $200-$300 and its basically new. Much better "budget" category than buying anything new IMO.

The people who want an iphone are not the same category of people who want a 1 year old $200 phone that is halfway though its expected lifespan.

You buy one of these, you get 8 years of security updates and support from Apple. The only alternatives that get close are the same, if not more expensive, phones from Google or Samsung (but only if you buy the flagship device).

 

[Hecate91]

This is hilariously wrong. The pixel 8 pro starts at $1000. The S24+ is no longer available, and the S25+ starts at $1119. It's not 2010, flagships are not $600 anymore

Do you buy a phone direct from the manufacturer or are you looking to defend the price of this iphone, and low end phones in general?
Go look on Amazon or elsewhere, the pixel 8 pro is on sale, so is the S24+ especially if you get one from a carrier.
Flagships don't have to be $1500 either, you just have to be ok with not having the latest shiny phone to show off.

The pixel 8a is $500, and currently on sale, but....it only has that 8GB of dreaded RAM. Oh deer...

The pixel 8a is less than this iphone 16e, yet has a wide angle camera, 120Hz OLED screen, and no display notch. Also the pixel 8a regularly goes on sale for less than $500.

Like, Apple is the Mercedes of the phone world.

Thats a funny analogy if you want to compare a phone to car, much like a Mercedes an Apple device is hilariously overpriced for what you get, expensive to repair when you need a new battery or screen, and you're not going to be able to fix it yourself.

Google or Samsung (but only if you buy the flagship device).

Not true,at least with Google, all of their phones get 7 years of OS and security updates.
Samsung supports their phones for 7 years, but only on the S and Z series, though Samsung is copying Apple with stagnating on improvements and overcharging for RAM and storage.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

Do you buy a phone direct from the manufacturer

Yes, I buy right from the manufacturer.

or are you looking to defend the price of this iphone, and low end phones in general?

I am merely pointing out that this isnt a bad deal, as opposed tot he pearl clutching in the thread about "muh budget".

Go look on Amazon or elsewhere, the pixel 8 pro is on sale, so is the S24+ especially if you get one from a carrier.

Imagine getting a phone from a carrier in 2024. Actual cringe.

Nobody wants carrier bloated slop on their phones dude. Hey, you know what one of the reasons Apple got popular in the first place was? They didnt get loaded with carrier slop!

You can also find special sales on Apple hardware on amazon, recently got my grandmother a 10th gen ipad for $279. Fantastic deal. That doesnt change the normal MSRP though.

Flagships don't have to be $1500 either, you just have to be ok with not having the latest shiny phone to show off.

Never said they did, Pointed out you are factually incorrect, the MSRP of the phones you listed are significantly higher then the 16e. If we are going to be intellectually honest, let's compare phones in the same price bracket, not phones that cost twice as much, OK?

The pixel 8a is less than this iphone 16e, yet has a wide angle camera, 120Hz OLED screen, and no display notch. Also the pixel 8a regularly goes on sale for less than $500.

You listed 8GB of RAM as a deal breaker. The pixel 8a only has 8GB of ram. Dont move goalposts.

Thats a funny analogy if you want to compare a phone to car, much like a Mercedes an Apple device is hilariously overpriced for what you get, expensive to repair when you need a new battery or screen, and you're not going to be able to fix it yourself.

Way to totally miss the point of the metaphor. Well done. I'll explain it since you are having trouble here: budget for an apple device with flagship hardware, 8 years of support, and a mostly complete feature set is going to be a far cry from a budget phone from, say, motorola, that is using a low end mediatek chip, IPS screen, doesnt have NFC, features a 720p screen, ece.

That's the moto G, in case you were wondering. The pixel 8a is the only real competition in this price bracket for the features Apple offers.

Not true,at least with Google, all of their phones get 7 years of OS and security updates.

yeah, that's why google was listed. Work on your reading comprehension.

Samsung supports their phones for 7 years, but only on the S and Z series, though Samsung is copying Apple with stagnating on improvements and overcharging for RAM and storage.

Again, work on your reading comprehension. The S series are much more expensive then the 16e, samsung's midrange devices get significantly shorter update lifespans, this is a negative for android. Hence the point of listing it.

 

[Vayra86]

Not sure why all the hate.. If its too rich for your blood you can always buy something else.

In my opinion, iPhones are not meant to be upgraded every year.

I went from a XS Max 256GB to a 14 Pro 1TB, my 14 was a little cheaper, and is a better phone overall.

The Max screen size though.. it is kind of tough to go down, but you get used to it, and being able to 1 hand a phone is nice lol.

Well, example, my work phone is supposed to be an Iphone and I used to pick the SE, but if they stop making that 'budget' phone I'm looking at 200 eur of extra payment on that phone, its out of the budget I get for a work phone.

So Apple had better make a real budget phone or I'll abandon ship.

'If its too rich' there is also just the fact I'd rather keep an Iphone than move to Android. Apple's not really doing a good job here creating a decent offering. So that's 'why all the hate'.

 

[INSTG8R]

Not sure why all the hate.. If its too rich for your blood you can always buy something else.

In my opinion, iPhones are not meant to be upgraded every year.

I went from a XS Max 256GB to a 14 Pro 1TB, my 14 was a little cheaper, and is a better phone overall.

The Max screen size though.. it is kind of tough to go down, but you get used to it, and being able to 1 hand a phone is nice lol.

Yeah I’ve been on iPhone since the 3G and have always skipped at least one generation. I’m currently on a plan called “Switch“ and can upgrade every 2 years so it works out perfectly for me. Currently on a 14 Pro I did actually switch early because I was very disappointed with the 13s camera and my phone is basically 3 things. My Camera, my music storage and my 2FA ID.