The newly launched Apple iPhone 16e, starting at $600/€700/£600/₹60,000 for 128GB storage, blurs the lines of “mid-ranger” pricing. Unlike the previous iPhone SE at $430, it features an Apple A18 chip, 48MP camera, and an iPhone 14-style body with a 6.1” OLED display. Apple has discontinued the iPhone SE (2022), making the 16e the largest option available, surpassing both the SE and mini. While the iPhone 15 starts at $700 and offers a brighter display and additional features, the 16e supports Apple Intelligence, albeit with a reduced camera and performance. Users must weigh its size and cost before deciding.
This week marked the eagerly awaited release of the new iOS mid-range phone. However, with a new starting price of $600/€700/£600/₹60,000 (for 128GB of storage), the term “mid-ranger” feels a bit misleading. Just to clarify, this isn’t a new iPhone SE (the previous model began at $430 for a 64GB device).
Apple iPhone 16e
Introducing the Apple iPhone 16e. This device features iPhone 16 hardware, featuring a binned Apple A18 chip and a 48MP main camera on the back, all packed into a body reminiscent of the iPhone 14. It also utilizes the same 6.1” 60Hz OLED display with a notched Face ID (note that Touch ID has been removed from this model).
The iPhone SE (2022) has been discontinued by Apple, which is unfortunate for fans of its compact size (as well as its more affordable price). Below is a size comparison table. Essentially, the iPhone 16e matches the size of the iPhone 16 and is considerably larger than both the SE and the similarly phased-out mini.
| iPhone SE (2022) | iPhone 13 mini | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | 4.7” | 5.4” | 6.1” | 6.1” |
| Height | 138.4mm | 131.5mm | 146.7mm | 147.6mm |
| Width | 67.3mm | 64.2mm | 71.5mm | 71.6mm |
| Thickness | 7.3mm | 7.7mm | 7.8mm | 7.8mm |
| Weight | 144g | 141g | 167g | 170g |
But have you heard? The iPhone 15 is still available, starting at $700 for a 128GB model—$100 more than the 16e. While the display size and resolution are effectively identical, the 15 features a small Dynamic Island instead of the prominent notch. Additionally, the display is brighter (2,000 nits peak vs. 1,000 nits), though it remains a 60Hz panel. For context, the standard iPhone 16 starts at $800 (128GB), reflecting another $100 increase.
Apple has emphasized that the iPhone 16e supports Apple Intelligence (which has yet to roll out swiftly). Notably, the iPhone 15 will not receive Apple’s AI capabilities. While you may sacrifice some AI features and overall performance, you gain a 12MP ultra-wide camera, UWB for smart tags, and full MagSafe support (15W vs. 7.5W Qi without magnets).
What are your thoughts on the Apple iPhone 16e? Is it exactly what you were hoping for, or do you find it oversized or overpriced (or perhaps both)? Would you invest in an older iPhone model instead of the 16e?