iPhone 16e release date, price, and features
The iPhone 16e is now official!
With smartphone prices climbing, the iPhone 16e comes with a higher price tag than the previous SE model. However, thanks to upgrades like a more powerful camera system, a design that mirrors the sleek iPhone 14 and a sharper display, Apple is making those extra dollars seem worthwhile.
The 16e packs the powerful A18 chipset and 8 GB of RAM, unlocking the full potential of Apple Intelligence.
On top of that, the iPhone 16e’s battery gets a massive boost, nearly doubling its predecessor's capacity. This means longer usage times, so you can power through your day without worrying about recharging.
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iPhone 16e release date
Apple officially launched the iPhone 16e on February 19, 2025, without a major event. Pre-orders began on Friday, February 21 and the device hit shelves on Friday, February 28.
The new mid-range iPhone from Apple arrives three years after its predecessor, making it long overdue for an upgrade. Check out the table below for a breakdown of the release dates for the iPhone SE series over the years.
| Model | Release Date |
|---|---|
| iPhone SE (1st generation) | March 31, 2016 |
| iPhone SE (2nd generation) | April 24, 2020 |
| iPhone SE (3rd generation) | March 18, 2022 |
| iPhone 16e | February 19, 2025 |
iPhone 16e price and deals
The iPhone 16e starts at $599 for the base model. As expected, different storage options come with their own price tags, which are:
- 8 GB with 128 GB storage space: $599
- 8 GB with 256 GB storage space: $699
- 8 GB with 512 GB storage space: $899
| Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| iPhone SE (1st. generation) | $399 |
| iPhone SE (2nd. generation) | $399 |
| iPhone SE (3rd. generation) | $429 |
| iPhone 16e | $599 |
As with most new phone releases, the manufacturer itself and major carriers offer special deals, and this time is no exception. Apple, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile all have promotions and discounts available:
- Apple: The company has a trade-in program where you can save anywhere from $40 to $650, depending on what device you're trading in. If you have an Apple Card, you can also take advantage of 0% APR monthly payments and earn 3% Daily Cash back on the purchase of a new phone.
- Verizon: The carrier might offer the iPhone 16e for free with certain plans. Of course, you'll still need to pay for the required plan.
- T-Mobile: Using the T-Mobile Equipment Installment Plan, existing customers can bundle the cost of the iPhone and their rate plan into one monthly bill. Plus, the new iPhone will come unlocked, meaning you can switch to any carrier that supports iPhones.
- AT&T:AT&T has similar deals to other carriers, where both new and existing customers can pay for an iPhone and their rate plan on one monthly bill. It also offers up to $214 in bill credits when you buy an iPhone, and if you trade in a device with Apple, you'll receive an instant trade-in credit.
iPhone 16e camera
The new iPhone comes with a single back camera. | Image credit – Apple
The mid-range iPhone has always struggled with having a standout camera. As a more budget-friendly option, its camera quality has often been a major drawback, and this time around, it’s no different – though the 16e does feature a significantly improved camera over its predecessor.
The iPhone 16e comes with:
- Main (wide) camera: 48 MP (up from 12 MP on the SE 3)
- Front camera: 12 MP (compared to 7 MP on the SE 3)
However, with a built-in 2x Telephoto, users get the benefit of two cameras in one, allowing them to zoom in with optical quality for better framing and closer shots.
If you want to explore all the camera details in depth, be sure to check out our dedicated article on the iPhone 16e camera.
iPhone 16e storage
Storage has always been a bit of a challenge with Apple, but this time, the tech giant stepped up its game. The iPhone 16e now comes with 8 GB of RAM and starts at 128 GB of storage – double the base storage of the previous generation.
Storage options for the iPhone 16e:
- 128 GB
- 256 GB
- 512 GB
iPhone 16e design
The iPhone 16e comes in Black and White with mate finish. | Image credit – Apple
When it comes to design, the iPhone 16e feels much more in line with the latest iPhone models compared to its predecessor. The home button is gone, and with the notch, Apple has introduced Face ID. Plus, the ring/silent switch has been replaced with the new-ish Action button, first seen on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The Action button is fully programmable, letting you customize it to perform a variety of tasks. By default, it acts as a mute button, but you can easily set it to launch the camera, open any app, or even trigger more complex actions through the Shortcuts app
Overall, the design takes inspiration from the iPhone 14, with a few fresh touches like the Action button. The body is crafted with an aluminum frame and Ceramic Shield glass on both the front and back. As for color options, you can choose from:
The Action button is fully programmable, letting you customize it to perform a variety of tasks. By default, it acts as a mute button, but you can easily set it to launch the camera, open any app, or even trigger more complex actions through the Shortcuts app
- Black
- White
If you are looking for more details on the color options for the latest iPhone 16e, feel free to check out our full article dedicated to the iPhone 16e colors.
iPhone 16e display
The iPhone 16e now features a bigger 6.1-inch OLED display, marking Apple’s move to OLED screens across all its devices. It keeps the notch (that small space at the top for sensors) and sticks with a 60 Hz refresh rate. It offers 800 nits of typical brightness and 1200 nits of peak brightness.
iPhone 16e battery
The new phone comes with USB-C. | Image credit – Apple
Although Apple hasn't revealed the exact specs, the company claims the iPhone 16e offers impressive battery life, lasting up to 6 hours longer than the iPhone 11 and 12 hours longer than any previous iPhone SE model.
As for charging, you get up to 20 W wired charging with USB-C and 7.5 W wireless charging speeds.
If you are interested in diving deeper into all the battery details, check out our dedicated article on the iPhone 16e battery and charging.
iPhone 16e features and software
The iPhone 16e comes with iOS 18 right out of the box, and as expected, Apple’s long support policy applies, meaning you'll get at least 5 years of OS updates and ongoing security patches beyond that.
With iOS 18, the upgraded RAM, and the A18 chipset, Apple Intelligence makes its way into the iPhone 16e. This opens up a suite of AI-powered features, such as:
Video credit – Apple
- A smarter, more conversational Siri.
- Intelligent Search in Safari, summarizing key topics and web pages for quicker insights.
- Smart Replies in the Mail app for faster, context-aware responses.
- Enhanced AI tools in Messages, making your chat experience more intuitive.
- A Photos feature that uses AI to remove unwanted objects from your images.
- Summaries across apps, bringing you the most relevant and important information.
iPhone 16e hardware
The iPhone 16e features the A18 processor, the same one powering the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. So, this means the 16e matches the regular iPhone 16 in terms of speed and performance.
To top it all off, the new iPhone is the first to feature Apple's in-house 5G modem chip, the C1. This is a big move toward the company's goal of being more self-reliant when it comes to tech. Of course, we will have to put it through some tests to see how it actually holds up in real-world use.
Comparisons
Now that we’ve covered everything the iPhone 16e has to offer, it’s time to pit it against other iPhones and smartphones in its price range to see how it stacks up.
Now, if you are wondering whether the new iPhone 16e is a good upgrade from your older iPhone, we have got you covered. And if you are curious about how it stacks up against the current iPhone 16 or the previous iPhone 15, we've got that covered, too.
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone 14: Future versus past
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone SE (2022): The new kid on the block
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Danger! Danger!
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone 12: You should probably upgrade
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone 15: All the differences explained!
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone 13: Here's why upgrading would be a bad idea
If you are not fully sold on the Apple ecosystem and are open to Android, check out how the iPhone 16e stacks up against other mid-range contenders in the market.
- iPhone 16e vs Galaxy S24 FE: Don't make a mistake
- iPhone 16e vs Pixel 9a preview: which mini flagship to care about?
iPhone 16e review
At $600, the iPhone 16e represents a major change for Apple. The affordable SE model is now a thing of the past, replaced by a more powerful, yet pricier entry-level iPhone. For those on a budget, this could definitely be a bit of a letdown – it is not a budget phone. However, the iPhone 16e does stand out with impressive speed and video quality that leaves the competition behind.
Our full review of the iPhone 16e is now live, so if you are curious about whether it is the right fit for you, be sure to give it a read!
Our full review of the iPhone 16e is now live, so if you are curious about whether it is the right fit for you, be sure to give it a read!
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