While everyone was waiting for a new budget-friendly iPhone SE and speculating about its features, Apple remained silent. No leaks even hinted at what the company revealed today on its website. The iPhone SE is officially discontinued. In its place, Apple introduced the iPhone 16E — a model that’s set to reshape the mid-range smartphone market. And it’s not just about the price.
A Closer Look at the New iPhone 16E
A18 Chip — Next-Gen Power
The iPhone 16E comes with the powerful A18 chip, designed to handle Apple Intelligence. What’s surprising is that Apple’s AI, unavailable even on the regular iPhone 16, is fully supported on the more affordable 16E. Yes, it’s not available in Ukraine yet, but globally, neither iPhone 15 nor 16 (non-Pro) will support Apple Intelligence.
C1 Chip — Apple’s First In-House Connectivity Processor
The C1 chip marks a major shift, providing better support for networks and Wi-Fi than Qualcomm’s offerings. Think back to when Apple switched from Intel to its own M1 chips — now, it’s Qualcomm’s turn to face the competition.
Design and Build
The iPhone 16E boasts a sleek design, available in elegant black or classic white. Its body is crafted from durable aerospace-grade aluminum, built to withstand daily wear and tear, drops, and those inevitable “oops” moments.
Action Button
It’s here and becoming a standard feature.
USB-C
Finally, Apple has moved away from Lightning. USB-C is now the default.
Face ID
Still the most secure facial recognition system on the market, with no real competition.
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR Display
Bright, vibrant, and reliable — as expected.
What Else Should You Know?
Apple claims that the iPhone 16E offers longer battery life compared to older models like the iPhone 11 and 12. Thanks to the C1 chip, optimized for better network efficiency, the phone uses less power when connected to mobile data.
The promised screen-on time is up to 26 hours. Whether that holds true in real-world usage remains to be seen.
How About the Camera?
The iPhone 16E has a single 48 MP rear camera that supports 4K video recording at 60 frames per second.
Let’s be honest — are you really looking for a telephoto lens or macro capabilities in a budget iPhone? Probably not. This camera is more than enough for everyday users, and even some content creators will find it perfectly capable.
Apple Intelligence
This part is tricky. I recently bought an iPhone 15 — the standard model, not a Pro — and paid a significant amount. Now, I find out that Apple Intelligence won’t be available on my phone, while the cheaper iPhone 16E will fully support it.
Am I upset? Not really. I’m still skeptical about the need for AI on smartphones, especially since Apple hasn’t even announced plans to support the Ukrainian language. If you’re fluent in English, you can experiment, but do you really need it? Especially when you can use ChatGPT for free, and if you want extra features, a premium subscription isn’t that expensive.
Who Is the iPhone 16E For?
If I’m being honest, I’d consider buying it as a secondary phone — maybe as an extra camera or just to experiment with. But will I be pre-ordering it? Probably not. I’d rather wait until it’s widely available and test it out in person.
The iPhone 16E is perfect for:
- Those looking to upgrade from an iPhone 11, 12, or SE.
- First-time Apple users who want to try iOS without splurging.
- Anyone who doesn’t care much about advanced camera systems but still wants reliable Apple performance.
Final Thoughts
This is Apple we’re talking about — the iPhone 16E will work smoothly, look great, and last for years. Whether it’s the right choice for you depends on your needs. But one thing’s for sure: Apple just made the mid-range smartphone market a lot more interesting.
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