Apple has officially unveiled its much-anticipated budget-friendly iPhone, dropping the familiar “SE” branding and naming the new model “iPhone 16e.” Starting at $599, the device will be available in stores from February 28, according to TechCrunch.
The standout feature of the iPhone 16e is “Apple Intelligence,” a proprietary AI system designed to rival OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. This new AI functionality enables text summarization, letter writing, and image generation directly on the device.
Powered by Apple’s in-house A18 chip, also featured in the standard iPhone 16 lineup, the iPhone 16e boasts enhanced performance. It is the first iPhone to integrate Apple’s C1 modem, aimed at reducing reliance on Qualcomm and Intel components.
The device replaces Touch ID with Face ID and adopts a USB-C charging port. It features a 6.1-inch OLED display, a significant upgrade from the 4.8-inch screen on the previous iPhone SE models.
On the back, the phone houses a 48-megapixel camera with 2x zoom capability, while the front sports Apple’s TrueDepth camera system. The iPhone 16e also offers an extended battery life, delivering up to 12 hours more usage than its SE predecessors.
Apple’s release of the iPhone 16e comes amid growing pressure from market competition in China. Pre-orders for the device will begin on February 21, ahead of its official launch on February 28.
