A new iPhone in February?! Apple launched the iPhone 16E on its site Wednesday, expanding the iPhone 16 line while also bringing a much-needed overhaul to the 2022 iPhone SE with an all-new name, design, processor and Apple Intelligence features.
The iPhone 16E starts at $599 (£599, AU$999), which is $170 more than the previous SE’s $429 starting price. By contrast, the regular iPhone 16 starts at $799. The price puts the phone towards the higher end of the affordable phone market, between rivals like the $499 Google Pixel 8A and Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE, which starts at $650.
At a time when phone-makers have bet their success on implementing custom artificial intelligence features into their devices faster than their rivals, Apple makes it clear that its AI isn’t limited to its expensive flagship devices. Powering the iPhone 16E is Apple’s A18 chip (the same one found in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus) so it can run Apple Intelligence. This makes the new Apple phone a rarity: a sub-$600 device that can run the same AI features as its more expensive siblings.
Otherwise, the iPhone 16E has a curious value proposition. On paper it seems like an upgrade in nearly every way to the iPhone SE. But it lacks the iPhone SE’s main appeals: a low price and a small design. That’s not to say that the iPhone 16E isn’t worth its $600 starting price, which will no doubt be lower with carrier deals and discounts at launch. But like the old iPhone SE, you have to wonder how long will this phone be relevant for?
The iPhone 16E will be available to preorder this Friday, Feb. 21, and will go on sale on Friday, Feb. 28.
iPhone 16E design
The iPhone 16E has an Action button that can trigger a shortcut or start a Visual Intelligence search.
Apple
The iPhone 16E supports Apple Intelligence, including fun features like GenMoji.
Apple/CNET
The iPhone 16E also has something no other iPhone has: an Apple-designed 5G modem. It’s called the C1 chip, and in a launch video on Apple’s site, the company claims that it is the “most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone.”
The C1 modem supports 5G, but not the fast millimeter-wave 5G found in places like stadiums. It will be interesting testing phone calls and data speeds once we get our hands on the iPhone 16E.
Apple also says that the combination of the A18 and C1 chip raises the efficiency and adds up to a longer battery life. There are two ways for a phone-maker to gain customers: lower a phone’s price and lengthen its battery life. While Apple didn’t give us a lower price than the SE, its battery life might be the best feature. Again, I look forward to testing the 16E.
The new iPhone also lacks support for MagSafe charging and accessories. No MagSafe is a bit of a bummer, since that means you can’t use magnetic accessories and can only wirelessly charge the phone at a slow 7.5-watt speed. (It can charge wired at 20 watts, though.)
6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display; 2,556 x 1,179 pixel resolution; 60Hz refresh rate
4.7-inch LCD; (1,334×750 pixels); 60 Hz
6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels
Pixel density
460ppi
460ppi
326ppi
460 ppi
Dimensions (inches)
5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 in.
5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in.
5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in
2.82 x 5.81 x 0.31 in
Dimensions (millimeters)
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm
147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm
138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm
71.6 x 147.6 x 7.8 mm
Weight (grams, ounces)
167g (5.88 oz.)
170g (6 oz.)
5.09 oz; 144g
171g (6.02 oz)
Mobile software
iOS 18
iOS 18
iOS 15
iOS 17
Camera
48-megapixel (wide)
48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)
12-megapixel (wide)
48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)
Front-facing camera
12-megapixel
12-megapixel
7-megapixel
12-megapixel
Video capture
4K at 60fps
4K at 60fps; spatial video at 1080p at 30fps
4K
4K
Processor
A18
A18
A15 Bionic
A16 Bionic
RAM/storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB
128GB, 256GB, 512GB
64GB, 128GB, 256GB
128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Expandable storage
No
No
None
None
Battery
Up to 26 hours video playback, 21 hours streamed video playback, 90 hours of audio playback. 20W wired charging, 7.5W Qi wireless charging
Up to 22 hours video playback; up to 18 hours video playback (streamed). 20W wired charging. MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher; Qi2 up to 15W
Battery sized not disclosed (charger not included; supports wireless charging)
Undisclosed; Apple claims up to 20 hours of video playback (16 hours streamed)
Fingerprint sensor
No, Face ID
None (Face ID)
Home button
None (Face ID)
Connector
USB-C
USB-C
Lightning
USB-C (USB 2.0)
Headphone jack
No
No
None
None
Special features
Action button, Apple C1 5G modem, Apple Intelligence, Ceramic Shield, Emergency SOS, satellite connectivity, IP68 resistance
Apple Intelligence, Action button, Camera Control button, Dynamic Island, 1 to 2,000 nits display brightness range, IP68 resistance. Colors: black, white, pink, teal, ultramarine.
5G-enabled; supports 25W wired fast charging; Water resistant (IP67); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging
