The iPhone SE series has been popular ever since the first model was released back in 2016. No wonder – it offers the core Apple phone experience at a fraction of the cost.
Apple’s most recent iPhone SE was released in 2022. While it was an impressive phone in many ways, the iPhone 8-style design was quite different to the latest iPhone 16 handsets.
But Apple has decided to switch things up with the iPhone 16e, which not only has a new name, but also brings a new look and new features to Apple’s budget-friendly iPhone option.
And that’s the other thing: it’s not quite as budget-friendly as before and seems to signal the end of the SE line as we knew it. Here’s everything Apple has shared about it.
When will the iPhone 16e be released?
Apple officially announced the iPhone 16e on 19 February 2025. Pre-orders began on 21 February and continued until 28 February. Since then, customers have been able to purchase the device in shops and online.
You can buy the iPhone 16e directly from Apple UK and Apple US, as well as from some third-party retailers, such as AO, Argos, Currys, John Lewis and Very in the UK or Best Buy in the US.
See the full range of options in our guide on where to buy the iPhone 16 series.
As a reminder, here’s when previous iPhone SE models were launched:
- iPhone SE (2016) – March 2016
- iPhone SE 2 (2020) – April 2020
- iPhone SE 3 (2022) – March 2022
How much will the iPhone 16e cost?
Apple is positioning the iPhone 16e as a budget-friendly option, making it the most affordable model in the iPhone 16 lineup.
While the phone starts at £599/$599 for the 128GB version, it’s also available in 256GB version at £699/$699 and 512GB version at £899/$899.
As a reminder, here’s how much previous iPhone SE models cost:
- iPhone SE (2016) – $399/£359
- iPhone SE 2 (2020) – $399/£419
- iPhone SE 3 (2022) – $429/£419
What specs and features will the iPhone 16e have?
The iPhone 16e may be a budget option, but Apple has still packed in plenty of useful features. Here’s what to expect:
Design
As expected, the iPhone 16e resembles the iPhone 14 on the front, but features a brand-new single rear camera design. It’s protected by a Ceramic Shield front cover, which Apple claims is tougher than any other smartphone glass.
Apple
Another addition is the Action Button, initially featured only on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, allowing users to easily access a variety of functions with just a press. The feature is now available on all iPhone 16 models.
The phone is also IP68 water and dust-resistant, meaning it should handle spills, splashes, and brief submersion in water. It comes in two matt finishes: black and white
Display
The phone sports a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED edge-to-edge display, promising vibrant colours and deep blacks.
Apple
It also supports HDR, making for a better viewing experience when streaming high-quality content.
Performance
At the heart of the iPhone 16e is the A18 chip, Apple’s latest-generation processor, which ensures smooth performance across apps and games.
Apple claims it’s up to 80% faster than the A13 chip found in older models like the iPhone 11, making it a great upgrade for those coming from older iPhones.
Apple
The device also includes the Apple C1 modem, which is said to improve 5G connectivity and power efficiency.
Cameras
The iPhone 16e features a 48Mp Fusion camera system, which uses computational photography to capture sharp and detailed images.
There’s also a 2x Telephoto lens, effectively giving users two cameras in one.
Apple
While the front TrueDepth camera supports autofocus, presumably making for sharper selfies and better video calls, there are also features like Night Mode, Portrait Mode, and HDR that ensure great photos in all lighting conditions.
Battery & Charging
Battery life seems to be a strong point for the iPhone 16e, with Apple claiming it to last up to six hours longer than the iPhone 11 and up to 12 hours longer than previous iPhone SE models.
Apple
Charging is likely more convenient too, with both USB-C and wireless charging support, meaning users can share the same cable to charge their iPhone, MacBook, and iPad.
Software
The iPhone 16e runs iOS 18, which introduces new AI-driven features under Apple Intelligence. Users can enjoy tools like Clean Up to remove distractions from photos, or explore Image Playground to create fun, unique images.
Siri has also been improved with better conversational abilities and integrated ChatGPT support, allowing users to get quick, AI-powered answers without switching between apps.
Apple
That’s all Apple shared about the iPhone 16e. We’ll update this article with a link to our review once we’ve tested it.
In the meantime, feel free to check out our round-up of the best iPhones to see how the brand-new iPhone 16e compares.