Apple's iPhone SE has been retired in favor of a new entry model that takes on the name of the latest iPhone while keeping the price below the base. It's called the iPhone 16e, and it strikes a balance between cost-effectiveness and feature set.
The name may have changed, but the concept is the same — sell an iPhone that takes advantage of supply chain efficiency to maximize margins while offering modern features. The iPhone SE previously took on years-old form factors that placed it squarely behind the flagship models, and that's continuing to an extent.
However, Apple has moved its entry model up a few slots from bare minimum viable specs and hardware to something more modern. It's no longer the years old iPhone with a new coat of paint, it's steps away from being equal to Apple's base model flagship.
That shift in strategy appeared before the iPhone 16e was announced. Supply chain rumors suggested iPhone SE 4 was canceled, which would have resembled the iPhone XR, then was reborn as an iPhone 14-like device.
Instead, Apple shifted to a brand new device. It's not an iPhone SE by a different name, it's a whole new product line that is likely to be updated every year.
iPhone 16e Features
Rather than copy the iPhone 14 exactly, the iPhone 16e changed out the backplate and added an Action button. The Ultra Wide Camera is gone in favor of a single 48MP Main Camera that also acts as a 2x Telephoto camera.
Also, instead of Lightning, there's a USB-C port. It is also the last iPhone to move on from the Home Button and Touch ID, finally leaving that technology behind.
The visual differentiator between the iPhone 16e and the flagship iPhone 16 lineup is the now-signature single rear camera and the return of the notch. Apple ditched the notch in favor of the newer flashy Dynamic Island cutout with the iPhone 14 Pro and moved the entire lineup to the cutout with iPhone 15.
The inclusion of the Action Button was heavily debated in rumors, but it likely came down to uniformity across the lineup. The button can be mapped to a function, including Visual Intelligence.
Camera Control is too new and likely a possible selling point for those deciding between models, so it was excluded.
Apple restructured the internals to ensure there was space for a large battery. That, paired with a highly efficient processor and modem, enabled an even longer battery life.
Video playback is rated at 26 hours on a single charge. However, that larger battery is a trade off for a fan favorite — MagSafe.
There are no MagSafe magnets in the iPhone SE, but it does support standard Qi wireless charging. Customers that want to still use MagSafe wallets and chargers can use a MagSafe case, but speeds will still be limited to 7.5W.
iPhone 16e Specs
The biggest upgrade for long-time upgrade holdouts or iPhone SE 3 owners is the A18 chipset. Apple included it to enable Apple Intelligence, but it also means the device will likely get iOS updates for many years to come.
Apple also included the new C1 modem, a custom in-house modem that will replace Qualcomm's modem and bring more of the device in-house. It supports SOS via Satellite and 5G connectivity.
The C1 modem doesn't support mmWave 5G, which was only available at select locations in the United States on expensive cellular plans. The iPhone 16e also uses Wi-Fi 6, doesn't have a Thread radio, and doesn't have the Ultra Wideband chip for precision finding of AirTags.
The iPhone 16e was revealed on February 19 and has a new higher starting price of $599. Pre-orders begin February 21, and initial shipments and in-store availability begin February 28.