Apple’s latest budget iPhone, the iPhone 16e, is here—and it’s shaking up the mid-range smartphone market. Ditching the Home button for good and packing flagship-level specs, this phone blends affordability with innovation. Let’s dive into why the iPhone 16e might be your next upgrade!
1. A18 Chip & Apple Intelligence: AI for the Masses
The iPhone 16e is powered by the A18 chip, the same processor found in the pricier iPhone 16. This means Genmoji (create custom emojis on the fly), Writing Tools (summarize emails, rewrite drafts), and ChatGPT integration via Siri are all at your fingertips . Apple’s Neural Engine also cranks machine learning tasks 6x faster than older models—perfect for photo editing or gaming .
2. Farewell, Home Button! Hello, Face ID!
Apple has officially retired the Touch ID Home button. The 16e sports a notch for Face ID, making it the most affordable iPhone to feature Apple’s secure facial recognition tech .
3. Apple’s First In-House Modem: The C1 Chip
Say hello to the C1 modem—Apple’s answer to Qualcomm. It’s ultra-efficient, boosting battery life while delivering reliable 5G (though no mmWave support) . Plus, satellite connectivity lets you send SOS messages or find your phone off-grid .
4. Camera Magic on a Budget
The single 48MP rear camera punches above its weight. Thanks to computational wizardry, it offers 2x optical-quality zoom, Night Mode, and 4K Dolby Vision video with Spatial Audio 24. Selfie lovers get a 12MP front cam with autofocus—ideal for crisp video calls .
5. Battery Beast & USB-C Love
With 26 hours of video playback, the 16e outlasts even the iPhone 16. Combine that with USB-C charging (18W wired, 7.5W wireless) and you’ve got a phone that keeps up with your busiest days.
💔 What’s Missing?
No MagSafe: Wireless charging works, but no magnetic snap .
60Hz Display: No ProMotion, but the OLED screen still dazzles.
Dynamic Island? Nope: The notch is back, but Face ID makes it worth it .
iPhone SE loyalists ready to embrace Face ID and modern design.
AI enthusiasts who want Apple Intelligence without breaking the bank.
Priced at $599, it’s200 cheaper than the iPhone 16 but packs nearly the same power. Preorders start February 21, with deliveries from February 28 .
🔍 Want More?
Dive deeper into Apple’s modem ambitions with The Verge .
