Apple has officially unveiled the fourth-generation iPhone SE, rebranded as ‘iPhone 16e‘. While it represents a huge leap forward in performance compared to the previous edition, it comes with a significant price hike and also means Apple no longer caters to customers who prefer a smaller iPhone.
Traditionally, the SE series has been Apple’s most affordable iPhone, offering a mix of older, smaller designs with modern specs. This time, however, Apple has dramatically updated the hardware, pushing the price from $429/£429 (SE 3) to $599/£599.
Despite the cost increase, Apple insists the iPhone 16e offers far more value than its predecessors – and it’s probably right. The most notable changes include the addition of an edge-to-edge 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, and an Action Button. Gone is the Home button, making this the first SE model to require Face ID for unlocking. The device also packs Apple’s latest A18 chip, putting it on par with the regular iPhone 16 and 16 Plus.
Speed and Intelligence
One of Apple’s biggest priorities with the iPhone 16e was ensuring it could run Apple Intelligence, the company’s take on imbuing AI into its software. This requires more power than SE models typically get, and 2024’s beefy A18 processor delivers exactly that. Apple claims this makes the phone up to 80% faster than the iPhone 11 – a comparison that feels odd at first, until you remember that the target market for this model is folks who haven’t bought a new iPhone for several years.
Battery and efficiency
Another major upgrade is battery life, with Apple stating this is the longest-lasting 6.1-inch iPhone ever, lasting six hours longer than the iPhone 11 and twelve hours longer than previous SE models. The phone also includes Apple’s first in-house 5G modem, the C1, which promises faster, more power-efficient connectivity. Think of this as a test bed for the latest Apple Silicon technology – we expect a wider rollout of the C1 chips when the iPhone 17 range drops later this year.
A new fusion camera
Camera-wise, the iPhone 16e finally gets a major upgrade, moving from 12MP to 48MP. While it still features only one rear lens, Apple has introduced a 2-in-1 Fusion system, which allows for 2x zoom without the typical quality loss of digital cropping. Video has also been improved, with support for 4K at 60fps, Dolby Vision, and spatial audio recording. It’s a big upgrade on previous models, offering a nice middle ground that should please anyone who isn’t already hooked on the wide-angle and 5x telephoto lenses of other iPhones.
Bells and whistles
Other updates bring the iPhone 16e in line with modern iPhones, including the iconic notch, a USB-C port, MagSafe wireless charging, IP68 water resistance, and Ceramic Shield glass. It also introduces the Action Button, which replaces the mute switch and lets users program custom shortcuts. Interestingly, this is the only iPhone that uses the Action Button to activate Apple’s new Visual Intelligence feature, which is operated via the Camera Control on other models – something missing from the 16e to keep costs down.
Price and availability
The iPhone 16e starts at $599 for 128GB of storage, with 256GB and 512GB models priced at $699 and $899. Pre-orders begin on February 21, with the device launching in stores on February 28. It will be available in black and white, with colorful cases sold separately.
While previous SE models were more budget-friendly, the iPhone 16e feels less like an SE and more like a cut-down version of the regular iPhone 16. That makes it Apple’s most impressive entry-level iPhone yet, but at nearly 600 bucks, it raises questions about whether it still qualifies as a true budget option.