Apple is launching a new phone: the iPhone 16e. It replaces the iPhone SE series, and is now the brand’s lowest-priced phone at $599 — last year’s iPhone 15 cost $699 by comparison. Pre-orders are available now and the phone ships Friday, February 28th.
Below is everything you need to know about the new phone, and how it differs from the standard iPhone 16.
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iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e is a stark departure from the iPhone SE (3rd Generation) it replaces — gone are the home button, boxy screen and smaller size. At a glance, the 16e looks very similar to the standard iPhone 16, but there are a few key differences.
Like the iPhone 16, the 16e has a 6.1-inch display covering most of the phone’s front. It has Apple’s latest processor and software, including all its Apple Intelligence features. It has Face ID for security and a USB-C port for charging.
The 16e actually has more battery life than the iPhone 16 — up to 26 hours compared to the iPhone 16’s 22.
The iPhone 16e costs $200 less than the iPhone 16 — naturally, it’s missing a few features. There is a single 48-megapixel rear camera with two-times zoom but no ultra-wide or macro lens capability. The phone also does not have the camera control button like the other iPhone 16 models. While it can charge wirelessly, it is not MagSafe compatible, meaning there is no magnet to snap onto MagSafe wireless chargers. You can compare all the differences between the iPhone 16e and 16 here.
It is available in one size and two colors: black or white.
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I am a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology including recent stories on smartwatches, cameras, Bluetooth speakers and more. For this piece, I confirmed details about the new iPhone 16e in press releases and product pages.
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