The iPhone SE has been replaced by the iPhone 16e, which starts at €700/£600/$600. This new model matches the iPhone 16 in size and price but features a binned A18 chipset and a 48MP main camera, lacking an ultra-wide option. Its display is a 6.1” OLED at 60Hz with a prominent notch for Face ID. Unlike its predecessors, it does not support MagSafe. Apple continues to offer the iPhone 15, priced slightly higher, which includes more modern features, while various Android options, like the Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S24, are available at competitive prices.
The iPhone SE has been discontinued, leaving us with the iPhone 16e! While this may not be ideal for some, as the SE was notable for being the smallest and most affordable iPhone, what are the options now?
The Apple iPhone 16e shares the same dimensions as the 16 and is nearly as pricey, starting at €700/£600/$600/₹60,000 for the 128GB version. There are higher storage options available at 256GB and 512GB, but the pricing for these upgrades mirrors that of Apple’s more premium models. Pre-orders for the 16e began on Friday, with sales set to start the following week.
In summary, the 16e is powered by a slightly downgraded A18 chipset (featuring one less GPU core) but still offers full support for Apple Intelligence. It comes equipped with the 48MP primary camera found in the iPhone 15 and 16, albeit without the ultra-wide lens. The display is a traditional 6.1” OLED panel, refreshing at 60Hz, and includes a substantial notch for Face ID (Touch ID has been retired). An Action button is present on the side, minus the Camera Control, and there’s no alert slider. Additionally, while wireless charging is available (Qi, at 7.5W), MagSafe is absent, resulting in a lack of compatible chargers, holders, and accessories.
Apple continues to offer the iPhone 15, regarded as the first “modern” base model. By “modern,” we refer to features like USB-C charging, Dynamic Island, and a 48MP camera with in-sensor 2x zoom. This model utilizes the older A16 non-Pro chipset and lacks Apple Intelligence (whether this is a significant drawback or not is up to you). It does support MagSafe and UWB. The iPhone 15 can be purchased brand new for just €40 more than the 16e (for both 128GB versions).
If you’re looking for something newer, the iPhone 16 is available for €250 more from Apple, but Amazon offers decent discounts. Regardless, you get the more contemporary Dynamic Island aesthetic (though it still features a 60Hz display), a 12MP ultra-wide camera, full MagSafe compatibility, and UWB for smart tags (the 16e lacks UWB but does support satellite messaging). We attempted to find refurbished iPhone 16 options, but no good deals are available at this time.
The reason we labeled the iPhone 15 as the first “modern” base model is that the iPhone 14 lacks many upgrades that are now commonplace on newer iPhones. However, the iPhone 14 Pro includes most of them, provided you’re okay with using Lightning cables.
The iPhone 14 Pro boasts a 120Hz Dynamic Island display, a 48MP main camera, 12MP 77mm telephoto, and 12MP ultra-wide cameras, plus UWB and MagSafe capabilities, though it does not offer Apple Intelligence. Refurbished models can be found at lower prices than both the iPhone 16e and 15.
If you’re open to options outside the Apple ecosystem, consider exploring Android devices. The Google Pixel 9 is currently priced at €750 for the 128GB model. Though it’s slightly more expensive, it features a 120Hz display (with a punch hole) and a 50MP primary camera alongside a 48MP ultra-wide lens. It doesn’t support UWB or magnetic wireless charging, but it does offer satellite messaging and rapidly evolving AI features from Google.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is still available for €600. It is roughly the same size as the 16e but comes with a 120Hz LTPO display and a punch hole camera. This model supports Galaxy AI, but lacks UWB and satellite messaging, as well as magnetic attachments. Its camera system features a 50MP main sensor, 10MP 67mm telephoto, and 12MP ultra-wide lens.
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