The iPhone 16e faced criticism for its higher price compared to the iPhone SE and an unimpressive upgrade since 2022. Despite this, a Bloomberg report indicates that sales for the 16e surpassed those of its predecessor by 60%. While it offers a modern design and some AI support, it retains a single camera and costs $170 more than the 2022 SE. Factors contributing to its sales include its status as the cheapest option in Apple’s lineup after the SE’s discontinuation, appeal to enterprise customers, and limited concern over the price hike among infrequent upgraders. However, this success isn’t reversing Apple’s decline in China.
When the iPhone 16e was released, it faced criticism for being significantly more expensive than its predecessor, the iPhone SE, and the improvements since 2022 were viewed as quite lackluster. Nevertheless, a report by Bloomberg indicates that the iPhone 16e has achieved 60% higher sales compared to its predecessor.
Indeed, the iPhone 16e incorporates Apple Intelligence to a degree, sports a refreshed and modern design, along with an updated display. However, it still features a single camera and comes with a price tag that is $170 higher than the 2022 iPhone SE, which feels steep, regardless of inflation adjustments.
Yet, users appear unconcerned, and a few factors may explain this. For one, with the discontinuation of the iPhone SE, the iPhone 16e represents the most affordable entry into Apple’s ecosystem, leaving users with no viable alternatives other than switching to an Android device.
Moreover, the 16e may appeal significantly to enterprise clients, which could explain the rise in orders. Finally, for users upgrading from older models like the iPhone SE from 2022, the price increase may not seem overly concerning, as they don’t upgrade frequently enough to mind.
In any case, the iPhone 16e appears to be performing quite well, although it may not be sufficient to reverse Apple’s declining market share in China, where the company is rapidly losing influence.
Source