Apple on Wednesday announced the release of the iPhone 16e, the fourth edition of the company’s affordable smartphone series after CEO Tim Cook indicated at the announcement a week earlier. A 48-megapixel rear camera, USB-C charging ports, Face ID, and a bigger screen are all features of the iPhone 16e. Additionally, the smartphone introduces the Apple C1, the company’s first cellular modem.
Starting today, February 21, pre-orders for Apple’s least expensive iPhone model from the iPhone 16 family, the iPhone 16e, are being accepted in India. Prior to its official debut on February 28, prospective customers can place advance orders for the iPhone 16e. The 128GB model of the iPhone 16e costs Rs 59,900 in India, while the 512GB model costs Rs 89,900. There are two colors available: black and white.
The iPhone 16e was introduced as the “newest member of the iPhone 16 family” on February 19 during a pre-recorded keynote event that included Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, and Kaiann Drance, the vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing. Additionally, it most likely signifies the demise of Apple’s special edition branding, which has been in place since 2016. The writing was on the wall after three years without a new SE launch. Another significant clue is the iPhone SE 3’s demise shortly after the iPhone 16e was released. But we’re getting off topic.
Here are some details on the upcoming iPhone 16e, including when it will be available for purchase.
What time do pre-orders open for the iPhone 16e? When is the release date?
Starting Friday at 8 a.m. EST, the iPhone 16e will be available for pre-order on the Apple website. Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e will open in India on February 21 at 6:30 PM. February 28 is the anticipated date of wider distribution. In addition to India, it will be sold concurrently in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, China, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
How much does the iPhone 16e cost?
Based on storage space, the iPhone 16e’s pricing is broken down as follows:
- $599 for 128 gigabytes
- $699 for 256 gigabytes
- $899 for 512 gigabytes
Which colors are available?
Both matte black and matte white are available for the iPhone 16e. Silicone cases for the Apple iPhone 16e are available in black, white, lake green, fuchsia, and winter blue.
Design and display
The iPhone 16 has a 6.1-inch Super Retina OLED screen with a notch—a tiny black patch at the top of the screen—that contains the Face ID system, top speaker, and front camera.
Addition of face ID
The iPhone 16e uses spatial audio and can record videos in 4K at up to 60 frames per second.
Improved emergency features
The iPhone 16e has a number of new security measures.
- Make an emergency service call without phone service by using satellite for emergency SOS.
- Crash Detection: When Apple determines that the owner has been in a significant collision, the iPhone automatically contacts emergency services.
- Roadside Assistance with Satellite: Even when you’re off the grid, use satellite to get in touch with a roadside assistance provider.
- Satellite-based messages: When there is no phone coverage nearby, send text messages.
- Find me through satellite: Use the Find My applications if you don’t have phone service.
Apple Intelligence
Apple’s face ID, which enables users to unlock their phones using facial recognition, was originally introduced in the iPhone 16e, the first model in the low-cost smartphone range. In the past, Apple used touch ID, which let customers use their fingerprints to unlock their phones.
Improved rear- and front-facing cameras
The iPhone 16e has a 12-megapixel front-facing camera and a 48-megapixel back camera. There are two telephoto lenses on the rear-facing camera. There are night and portrait settings on both the front and rear-facing cameras.
Apple’s A18 chip, which powers Apple Intelligence, powers the iPhone 16e. The new smartphone will have the following well-liked Apple Intelligence features:
- Cleanup tool: Use the Photos app to remove elements from photos.
- Natural language search: Use a description to look for images and videos in the Photos app.
- Image Playground: Use the Photos app to create images from descriptions, ideas, or people.
- Genmoji: Make your own emojis using Genmoji.
- Updated Siri: Type messages to Siri, which can also comprehend users’ stuttering words.
- Chat GPT: Free AI software has been incorporated into the phone’s Siri and Writing Tools.
Addition of the exterior action button
With the help of the iPhone 16e’s exterior action button, users can click to access multiple tools. The settings app lets users customize the button so they can activate features like the lights or camera. Users may also access Voice Memos, Focus, Translate, Magnifier, and Shazam by pressing the action button, which also lets them switch between ringing and silent notification modes.
Universal charging port
Instead of using Apple’s outdated Lightning port for charging, the iPhone 16e has a USB-C port. Laws from the European Union legally mandate this.
Battery life
The iPhone 16e can play video for up to 26 hours and listen to music for up to 90 hours. The third version of the low-cost smartphone, the iPhone SE, can play video for an additional 11 hours.