After months of rumours and endless speculation, Apple has now confirmed the release of its new cheaper iPhone, and it features plenty of surprises. Firstly, it’s not following the usual tradition of being called the iPhone SE with Apple switching things up in 2025. Its new lower-cost call maker is getting the ‘e’ branding instead. The US technology giant has just announced this iPhone 16e device, and once it arrives in stores next week, you’ll be able to pop one in your pocket for just £599 – that’s £200 less than its siblings.
And don’t think that a more budget-friendly price means bargain basement features, as there is plenty to like about the 2025 iPhone 16e.
Firstly, it finally ditches the bezels found on the original SE and gets an all-screen finish instead. That means the end of the Touch ID fingerprint scanner with the 16e getting Face ID technology instead. This lets users unlock the bigger 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR screen and make payments just by staring at the front-facing camera.
It’s made from tough stuff and should survive years stuffed in pockets thanks to Apple’s Ceramic Shield technology and a waterproof design.
USB-C charging has been added rather than the older Lightning port and there’s very long battery life from a single charge.
Another massive bonus of the new iPhone 16e is its A18 processor – that’s the same chip that powers the flagship iPhone 16 range.
With that brain under the hood, users will get full access to Apple Intelligence and features such as improved Siri, ChatGPT integration, auto image editing plus help writing and editing emails.
Amazingly, the iPhone 16e now beats call makers such as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 which aren’t powerful enough to access Apple Intelligence.
Those who love snapping photos will find a single-lens 48MP Fusion camera on the rear case with this system able to zoom in on objects, apply Portrait modes and shoot decent images at night. Apple also says that it will offer decent video recording thanks its ability to record in 4K with Dolby Vision up to 60 fps.
Other bonus extras include an Action button for fast access to favourite features, and it gets full access to Apple’s life-saving SOS text messaging and Crash Detection technology.
If any of that sounds enticing, the iPhone 16e will go on sale next week and start from £599 for the 128GB version.
You’ll be able to pre-order in two colours starting this Friday, including black and white.
“iPhone 16e packs in the features our users love about the iPhone 16 lineup, including breakthrough battery life, fast performance powered by the latest-generation A18 chip, an innovative 2-in-1 camera system, and Apple Intelligence,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing.
“We’re so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people.”
