The new iPhone 16e has Apple Intelligence, but it doesn’t come cheap

Apple has decided to switch things up with the new iPhone 16e. Not only does it have a new name, but it also brings a new look and new features to Apple’s most affordable iPhone.

However, it’s not quite as budget-friendly as before, and signals the end of the SE line as we knew it. Here’s everything Apple has shared about it.

When will the iPhone 16e be released?

Apple officially announced the iPhone 16e on 19 February 2025. It’s available now, having been released on 28 February 2025.

You can buy the iPhone 16e directly from Apple UK and Apple US, as well as from some third-party retailers, such as AO, Argos, Currys, John Lewis and Very in the UK or Best Buy in the US.

As a reminder, here’s when previous iPhone SE models were launched:

• iPhone SE (2016) – March 2016
• iPhone SE 2 (2020) – April 2020
• iPhone SE 3 (2022) – March 2022

How much will the iPhone 16e cost?

Apple is positioning the iPhone 16e as a budget-friendly option, making it the most affordable model in the iPhone 16 lineup.

While the phone starts at £599/$599 for the 128GB version, it’s also available in a 256GB version at £699/$699 and 512GB version at £899/$899.

If you want a genuinely affordable iPhone, getting a refurbished handset is better. The best places to get one include MusicMagpie, Amazon UK Renewed, Reboxed, and Back Market in the UK, or Best Buy, Walmart Restored, Amazon US Renewed, and Back Market in the US.

For example, if you live in the UK, you can get the 128GB iPhone 15 in pristine condition for just £579.99 or even the 128GB iPhone 15 Pro in Black Titanium for only £590, so a better iPhone in every aspect for £9 less.

There are also some great deals for those in the US, including the 128GB iPhone 14 Pro Max in Space Black for $529.99 or the 128GB iPhone 14 Pro in Space Black for only $462.

As a reminder, here’s how much previous iPhone SE models cost:

• iPhone SE (2016) – $399/£359
• iPhone SE 2 (2020) – $399/£419
• iPhone SE 3 (2022) – $429/£419

What specs and features does the iPhone 16e have?

The iPhone 16e may be a budget option, but Apple has still packed in plenty of useful features. Here’s what to expect:

Design

As expected, the iPhone 16e resembles the iPhone 14 on the front, but features a brand-new single rear camera design. It’s protected by a Ceramic Shield front cover, which Apple claims is tougher than any other smartphone glass.

Another addition is the Action Button, initially featured only on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, allowing users to easily access a variety of functions with just a press. The feature is now available on all iPhone 16 models.

The phone is also IP68 water and dust-resistant, meaning it should handle spills, splashes, and brief submersion in water. It comes in two matt finishes: black and white.

Display

The phone sports a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED edge-to-edge display, promising vibrant colours and deep blacks.

It also supports HDR, making for a better viewing experience when streaming high-quality content.

While the iPhone 16e supports Face ID, it’s via a notch rather than the Dynamic Island that’s been available on recent iPhones. It means that top portion of the device can’t be used to display live updates from a variety of apps, something which can be very useful.

Performance

At the heart of the iPhone 16e is the A18 chip, Apple’s latest-generation processor, which ensures smooth performance across apps and games.

Apple claims it’s up to 80% faster than the A13 chip found in older models like the iPhone 11, making it a great upgrade for those coming from older iPhones.

The device also includes the Apple C1 modem, which is said to improve 5G connectivity and power efficiency.

Cameras

The iPhone 16e features a single 48Mp Fusion camera, which uses computational photography to capture sharp and detailed images.

Apple also says the main lens can offer optical-quality images at 2x zoom, despite not having a dedicated telephoto lens. It can also go up to 10x using digital zoom.

While the front TrueDepth camera supports autofocus, presumably making for sharper selfies and better video calls, there are also features like Night Mode, Portrait Mode, and HDR that ensure great photos in all lighting conditions.

Battery & Charging

Battery life seems to be a strong point for the iPhone 16e, with Apple claiming it to last up to six hours longer than the iPhone 11 and up to 12 hours longer than previous iPhone SE models.

Charging is likely more convenient too, with both USB-C and wireless charging support, meaning users can share the same cable to charge their iPhone, MacBook, and iPad.

Software

The iPhone 16e runs iOS 18, which introduces new AI-driven features under Apple Intelligence. Users can enjoy tools like Clean Up to remove distractions from photos, or explore Image Playground to create fun, unique images.

Siri has also been improved with better conversational abilities and integrated ChatGPT support, allowing users to get quick, AI-powered answers without switching between apps.

That’s all Apple shared about the iPhone 16e. We’ll update this article with a link to our review once we’ve tested it.

In the meantime, feel free to check out our round-up of the best iPhones to see how the brand-new iPhone 16e compares.