Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e, the budget-friendly entry-level model of the latest iPhone generation, at the Apple launch event last February 19.
The newest addition to the iPhone 16 lineup delivers powerful performance and the core experience of the series at a lower entry cost. It features the latest A18 chip, Apple Intelligence, a 6.1-inch OLED display, a 48MP rear camera, a 12MP front-facing camera, and the Apple C1 — the company’s first in-house cellular modem.
The iPhone 16e features a notch instead of the Dynamic Island but includes the Action button — first introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro and carried over to the iPhone 16 series — which provides quick access to a variety of functions.
Apple Intelligence is now more accessible to consumers, taking center stage in this new iPhone release. With advanced on-device AI, users can enjoy features like Genmoji, Image Playground, and Writing Tools, all designed to streamline tasks and enhance personalization.
The company will now join tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft in utilizing generative AI. Its biggest competitor, Samsung, recently launched the Galaxy S25 series with advanced AI features.
On the other hand, Siri will now support more natural conversations, better contextual understanding, and the ability to reference previous requests. ChatGPT integration allows users to access AI-generated insights while staying within a particular app, while Private Cloud Compute enhances security by processing data in a privacy-first environment.
Prior to the event, there had been speculation that Apple would finally release the much-awaited iPhone SE 4 from the budget iPhone line, which debuted in 2016 and was last released in 2022. However, the iPhone SE accounted for only 5% of U.S. iPhone sales as of December 2024, according to research firm Consumer Intelligence Research Partners.
The iPhone 16e will be available in a black or white matte finish, starting at ₱39,990.