The iPhone 16e is powered by Apple’s new A18 chip and features the C1 cellular modem, representing Apple’s first in-house modem design. This advancement is expected to enhance integration with iOS, boost power efficiency, and improve overall network performance.
Moreover, the device incorporates Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI-driven features designed to enrich the user experience while maintaining privacy.
Kaiann Drance, Apple’s Vice President of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing, emphasized the iPhone 16e as a robust yet budget-friendly option within the lineup.
“iPhone 16e packs in the features our users love about the iPhone 16 lineup, including breakthrough battery life, fast performance powered by the latest-generation A18 chip, an innovative 2-in-1 camera system, and Apple Intelligence. We’re so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people,” he stated.
The iPhone 16e will be offered in two color options: white and black, and will be available in three storage capacities: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
Equipped with a 48MP Fusion camera, the iPhone 16e enables users to take high-resolution photos with optical zoom capabilities. The camera features a 2x Telephoto lens, catering to photography enthusiasts.
In terms of aesthetics, the iPhone 16e showcases two matte finishes—black and white—and is designed to be splash, water, and dust resistant with an IP68 rating. The front of the device is protected by Apple’s Ceramic Shield, which the company claims is “tougher than any smartphone glass.”
The iPhone 16e is built to support Apple Intelligence, the company’s innovative AI system. Features like the Clean Up tool allow users to eliminate distracting elements from their photos, while the Photos app now offers natural language search capabilities.
The iPhone 16e is engineered to integrate seamlessly with Apple Intelligence, the company's latest AI-driven system. Notable features include the Clean Up tool, which enables users to eliminate unwanted elements from their photos, and the Photos app, which now supports natural language search capabilities.
Additionally, Apple has launched Image Playground, a feature that allows users to create custom emojis (Genmoji) and generate AI-based visuals. The iPhone 16e is equipped with the Action Button, enhanced by a function called Visual Intelligence. This allows users to direct the camera at various objects, such as animals, plants, restaurants, or event flyers, to retrieve information or execute AI-driven tasks, akin to Google Lens.
Siri has also received significant enhancements, improving its conversational skills and now incorporating ChatGPT.
According to Apple, "Users can access ChatGPT for free without creating an account, privacy protections are built in obscure IP addresses, and OpenAI won’t store requests."
The iPhone 16 series comprises four models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max, each tailored to meet diverse user preferences.
Launched in September 2024, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus feature 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED displays, respectively. Both models boast aluminum frames and a Ceramic Shield front, available in colors including Black, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine, and White.
Their camera systems consist of a 48MP main sensor paired with a 12MP ultra-wide lens. Battery performance is impressive, with the iPhone 16 providing up to 22 hours of video playback, while the 16 Plus offers an extended 27 hours.
The iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max feature larger displays measuring 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, respectively. These models are constructed with a premium titanium frame featuring a microblasted texture and are offered in Black Titanium, Desert Titanium, Natural Titanium, and White Titanium.