The long wait is over; the iPhone 16e is finally here!
Just like what Apple pundit Mark Gurman predicted, Apple did not make a splash when it came to the iPhone 16e’s launch, just a press release in their Apple Newsroom. Quite a humble start for a device that has a lot riding on it.
With every arrival, a departure follows
Apple really went through with the name change, dropping the SE moniker in the process. And, it’s not the only thing dropped by Apple. The 16e’s arrival meant the end of the iPhone 14’s existence within Apple’s stable.
We’ve already gone over the specs for the 16e (previously called the SE 4) in detail before, but we’ll go over it one more time given that this time it’s official.
- Processor: A18 chip
- Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 60Hz refresh rate
- Memory: 8 GB of RAM
- Storage: 128GB | 256GB | 512GB
- Camera: 48MP Fusion camera with an integrated 2x Telephoto | 12MP front selfie camera
Placing it side-by-side with the other iPhones in the 16 series, you’ll understand why Apple decided to drop the SE in favor of the new naming scheme. It really is more similar to the new iPhones than the SE 3rd generation it was replacing.
Apple’s unsung star
But the star of the show is the new C1 cellular modem that Apple is debuting with the 16e. However, Apple didn’t really emphasize the features and importance of the new modem. We think it’s a calculated decision given that it’s a new venture that Apple is undertaking.
How much does it costs?
Where the leaks fell a little short was with the 16e’s price; however, it didn’t really deviate that much from Apple’s official pricing. Previously, the device was rumored to start at $499, but prices start at $599 for the 128GB variant. It’s quite a huge leap from the SE it’s replacing at $429 but given that it does host quite a lot of advanced features, the price can be justified.
Is it already available?
Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e start tomorrow in 59 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Malaysia, Japan, and China. However, there’s still no news for the PH market. I guess we’ll just have to wait a little longer.
How about you? Will you still buy the iPhone 16e?
If you liked this article, check out our other articles on the iPhone 16e (previously named SE 4).