Apple has officially launched the iPhone 16e, a new addition to the iPhone 16 series, designed to offer high-end features at an affordable price. In India, the iPhone 16e starts at Rs 59,900 for the 128GB variant, with pre-orders beginning on February 21 and deliveries starting February 28.
Interestingly, alongside this launch, Apple has quietly removed the iPhone SE from its official store, signaling the discontinuation of its previous affordable lineup. The iPhone 16e now takes its place, bridging the gap between affordability and premium features.
Key Features of iPhone 16e
Powerful Performance with A18 Chip and C1 Modem
The iPhone 16e is powered by Apple’s A18 chip, offering up to 80% faster performance than the A13 Bionic chip found in the iPhone 11. It also features Apple’s first in-house C1 modem, ensuring efficient and fast 5G connectivity. The 16-core Neural Engine runs machine learning models 6x faster than previous generations, optimized for generative AI applications.
Built for Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence, the new AI system, powers features like:
- Clean Up Tool: Easily remove distracting elements in photos.
- Natural Language Search: Search images by simply describing them.
- Image Playground & Genmoj: Create custom emojis and visuals.
- Advanced Siri Integration: More conversational and context-aware Siri, integrated with ChatGPT for seamless access to AI-powered responses without creating an account.
Exceptional Camera and Visual Intelligence
The iPhone 16e features a 48MP Fusion camera with an integrated 2x Telephoto lens, enabling optical-quality zoom. The front-facing TrueDepth camera is of 12MP and supports autofocus for sharper selfies. Video recording is available in 4K with Dolby Vision at up to 60 fps, alongside Spatial Audio for immersive playback.
Visual Intelligence via the Action button allows:
- Instant translation of text.
- Identification of plants and animals.
- Google search for purchasing options.
- Direct ChatGPT integration for problem-solving.
Superior Battery Life and Durability
With up to 12 hours longer battery life than all iPhone SE generations and IP68-rated water and dust resistance, the iPhone 16e combines longevity with rugged design. It features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, perfect for HDR video streaming and gaming.
Charging is available via USB-C and wireless charging options.
Safety and Connectivity
The iPhone 16e offers Apple’s satellite communication features, including:
- Emergency SOS and Roadside Assistance via satellite.
- Find My via satellite for off-grid tracking.
- Crash Detection that automatically contacts emergency services.
iPhone 16e: India Pricing and Availability
- 128GB: Rs 59,900
- 256GB: Rs 69,900
- 512GB: Rs 89,900
Pre-orders in India begin February 21, with availability from February 28. For comparison, the iPhone 16 starts at Rs 79,900, making the 16e a more budget-friendly option with a Rs 20,000 price gap.
Available Colors and Accessories
The iPhone 16e is available in two elegant matte finishes — black and white — with silicone cases in winter blue, fuchsia, lake green, black, and white, priced at Rs 3,900.
Environmental Commitment
Apple continues its environmental focus with the iPhone 16e featuring:
- 100% recycled cobalt and 95% recycled lithium in the battery.
- 85% recycled aluminum in the enclosure.
- Fiber-based packaging, moving closer to Apple’s goal of eliminating plastic packaging by year-end.
Final Thoughts
Apple’s iPhone 16e represents a significant shift, offering powerful features previously reserved for premium models, now at a more accessible price point. The combination of Apple Intelligence, robust performance, advanced camera capabilities, and superior battery life makes the iPhone 16e a standout choice in the smartphone market.
For more information, visit apple.com/in/iphone-16e.
