Apple unveils new budget iPhone 16e to replace SE model – and it comes with plenty of surprise new features

Apple has finally pulled back the curtain on its latest ‘budget’ smartphone – the iPhone 16e.

Released February 28, the device runs Apple Intelligence features, including a ChatGPT integration with smart assistant Siri.

It also has a 6.1-inch display, a two-in-one camera system, an ‘extraordinary’ battery life, and sees the return of the ‘notch’ at the top of the display. 

iPhone 16e costs £599/$599 – making it £200 cheaper than the flagship iPhone 16 which was released last autumn. 

‘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.’ 

iPhone 16e is the latest in Apple’s ‘budget’ line of smartphones, which until now has been known as ‘iPhone SE’ (Special Edition). 

The new handset has been heavily leaked leading up to the official reveal on Wednesday, but the change in name comes as something of a surprise. 

It costs £599/$599 – making it £200 cheaper than the iPhone 16

Apple said: The ‘new addition to the iPhone 16 lineup that offers powerful capabilities at a more affordable price’

The phone is also £100/$100 more expensive than predicted – making fans on social media question its ‘budget’ tagline.

One commentator posted to X (Twitter): ‘Apple’s idea of a cheap phone.’ 

Another said: ‘The new iPhone 16e starts at $899 here in Canada. That is not a budget or “cheap” phone.’ 

According to Apple, iPhone 16e has the best battery life on a 6.1-inch iPhone, lasting up to six hours longer than iPhone 11 and up to 12 hours longer than all generations of iPhone SE.

The display, meanwhile, has an edge-to-edge design that is suited for watching HDR videos, playing games and ‘reading crisp text’. 

It also features the Action button – a little button above the volume controls on the edge of the phone that can turn a chosen setting on or off.  

iPhone 16e will only be available in two ‘elegant’ matte finishes – black and white.

Pre-orders begin Friday, February 21, with availability beginning Friday, February 28. 

The trillion dollar tech giant added: ‘iPhone 16e is built to last, featuring splash, water, and dust resistance’

More to follow