Apple unveils iPhone 16e, ditching the SE moniker

Photo: Apple

Apple has officially announced the iPhone 16e, a new entry-level model joining the iPhone 16 family. Dropping the SE branding, the iPhone 16e aims to distance itself from perceptions of being a "lesser" device. It boasts several key features, including Apple Intelligence support, previously absent in the iPhone 14.  

The iPhone 16e sports a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with Ceramic Shield, and Apple claims it has the "toughest back glass in a smartphone." It's powered by the A18 chip and features a 48MP "2-in-1 camera system"—though it's still a single lens setup capable of lossless 2x zoom. Apple also promises "the best battery life ever on a 6.1-inch iPhone," exceeding the iPhone 11 by six hours and all SE models by up to 12 hours. But that claim requires real-life testing.

Other notable features include Face ID, USB-C, iOS 18, and the customizable Action Button (without Camera Control, though). The iPhone 16e is also the first iPhone to incorporate Apple's in-house C1 modem, supporting satellite connectivity for Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My.  

Available in white and black, the iPhone 16e will be available for pre-order on February 21, starting at $899 in Canada, and will be released on February 28.

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