As a long time fan of Apple's SE models, waking up to the news of the iPhone 16e was a pleasant surprise. While rumours of a potential entry level 16 swirled the internet for months, nothing was confirmed until now.
Now it's here, the 16e. Apple's new answer to SE entry-level class of iPhone. It has everything you need, and nothing you don't.
In essence, the 16e supersedes the SE range. For years, the iPhone SE was a quiet rebellion. A small, cheap, unfussy phone in a world of ever-expanding screens and price tags. It fit in your palm, in your pocket, in your life — without forcing you to stretch, strain, or adjust your grip. It was, for many, exactly what an iPhone should be.
While, the 16e takes the principles of the SE range, it's different. In many ways, it's a more thoughtful distillation of the iPhone 16, with just enough left on the cutting-room floor to make it more affordable. But that paring back exercise doesn’t mean it feels lesser. Not by a long way.
How is the Apple iPhone 16e different from iPhone 16?
Look at the iPhone 16e and iPhone 16 side by side, and they could be twins. Same captivating edges, same minimalist curves, same expanse of smooth glass stretching from corner to corner. Unlike the last iPhone SE from 2022, which still clung to the past with its home button and chunky bezels, this one is all-modern Apple.
But beneath the surface, the 16e has been pared back. A little less brightness. A little less camera. A few thoughtful subtractions to justify its lower price tag. It’s Apple looking in the mirror and taking one thing off to make the new outfit perfect.
And for many, that’s all you really need.
What’s the same?
It's got the same look as the iPhone 16
The iPhone 16e is built to last — not just in its performance, but in its materials. Ceramic Shield glass on the front and back, water and dust resistance (IP68), a frame that feels weighty but never heavy. It’s not fragile, nor does it feel like a budget version of something else.
You also get the Action Button on the top-right of the device. A clever shortcut button that replaces the silent switch to keep everything feeling solid-state.
The OLED screen is equivalent
Its OLED display is deep and rich, the kind of screen that makes midnight messages and sunlit photos look equally good. It’s not as dazzlingly bright as the iPhone 16—1200 nits versus 2000 nits—but unless you live your life under direct sunlight, you’re unlikely to notice.
It's actually has equivalent (maybe better?) battery life
The secret star of the 16e is something you won’t see: Apple’s new C1 modem. It’s not the sexiest thing in the world, but it means a lot to those frustrated by batteries that give up the ghost before day’s-end. Instead of buying one off the shelf, Apple has built its own modem for internal connectivity. If past Apple-designed chips are anything to go by, this could mean a phone that lasts way longer without needing a bigger battery.
Emergency SOS is still there
Even at its lower price, Emergency SOS and satellite connectivity are still here. That small reassurance that if you ever find yourself in trouble—lost, stranded, out of reach—you won’t be entirely alone.
Apple's AI features are all here
Apple’s AI-powered features - dubbed Apple Intelligence - aren’t locked behind a velvet rope here. The iPhone 16e gets them all—photo retouching, writing suggestions, a little more magic beneath your fingertips.
What’s different?
Colour (or lack thereof)
If the iPhone 16 is playful — a wardrobe hued in pinks, blues, greens —the iPhone 16e is strictly monochromatic. Black or white casebacks only. A classic uniform, timeless in its simplicity.
There's only one camera instead of two
The most visible difference: one camera instead of two. The iPhone 16e ditches the ultra-wide lens, leaving just the 48MP main sensor with 2x digital zoom built-in. It’s sharp, clever, and more than capable—but if you love capturing sprawling landscapes, close-up zooms or dramatic wide angles, you might want to look upwards in the line-up for additional lenses.
Apple’s futuristic 3D - or “Spatial” video - support (designed for the Vision Pro headset) isn’t here. But unless you’re deeply invested in the world of mixed reality, it’s hardly a loss.
How is it different to the iPhone SE (2022)?
If you were hoping for a true iPhone SE successor, something compact yet powerful and designed for smaller hands, this isn’t it.
The SE phones were often smaller, giving people with smaller hands or those with RSI an option for an high-tech phone that actually accessibly fits in your hand. It's the reason I was such a fan of the SE range. Finally a phone that I could use with one hand!
However, At 6.1 inches, it’s the same size as the standard iPhone 16. This is a positive for those who are simply looking for a less costly option. But for those who are after a design that is inclusive of people without a male hand span, you'll have to look elsewhere.
One-handed use (especially for those with smaller hands)? Still a stretch. Reaching the top of the screen? Still a shuffle in your grip. It’s fine, but it’s not the pocketable, easy-to-hold device that many were hoping for.
Apple has made its stance clear: small phones aren’t in this season.
For now, the SE (2022) remains on sale with the same specs it had on its debut, like a ghost that won’t pass on. But if you want modern hardware with a smaller footprint, it’s big phone or bust.
Pricing
The iPhone 16e isn’t a “budget" phone. It’s a refined, intentional iPhone, built for those who just want something that works — without the premium price tag. It does what an iPhone should, without any unnecessary excess.
For $999, it’s $400 cheaper than the iPhone 16 while still feeling modern, fast, and thoughtfully designed. If you don’t need the extra camera, the brighter screen, or the bigger price tag, this is an easy choice.
But if you were (like me) waiting for something smaller — something built for those who can't stretch their fingers across the full screen, you might be waiting a while.
The iPhone 16e is available in-stores and online from 28 February 2025.
