Apple overlord Tim Cook warned us that a new member of the iPhone family was on the way, and while there were plenty of rumors that it would be successor to the third-generation SE that released in 2022, we now know the iPhone 16e is ready to make its way to market.
It doesn't come as much as a surprise considering a glitch revealed the 16e ahead of time, but now we've got an official look at the supposedly 'budget' counterpart to the main line of iPhone, Apple has been called out for this 'nonsense' product.
The tech giant revealed the iPhone 16e, which comes with a beefy price tag that starts at $599. This is quite a leap from the $429 that the Gen 3 SE cost just three years ago, which was already a $30 jump from 2020's second-generation iPhone SE.
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The description for the 16e reads: "iPhone 16e joins the iPhone 16 lineup, featuring the fast performance of the A18 chip, Apple Intelligence, extraordinary battery life, and a 48MP 2-in-1 camera system — all at an incredible value."
For many, the 'incredible value' bit doesn't quite fly.
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Replying on Reddit, iPhone fans were less than impressed by the new price tag, saying that the SE can no longer be considered a budget alternative.
One angry critic raged: "900 CAD that’s not affordable. People need an affordable phone and iPhone SE was that. Not anymore. lol I was waiting to buy it but the 16 is only 200 CAD more."
Another added: "$599! That’s wild. A full $100 more than I expected the starting price to be."
Someone else concluded: "700€ = DOA."
What new features does the iPhone 16e have?
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If you aren't put off by the 16e's price, a slew of new features should at least give you a little more bang for your buck.
Promising fast and 'smooth' performance alongside improved battery life, it's all down to the 16e's new addition of the A18 chip that's already found in the iPhone 16 and the 16 Plus. Couple this with the new Apple C1 as the the first cellular modem designed by Apple, it should mean the 16e is firing on all cylinders.
With a rise in the prominence of artificial intelligence, the 16e is also built with Apple Intelligence in mind - although not everyone is a fan of the feature.
If that wasn't enough, Apple's new bundle of joy is apparently like having two cameras in one thanks to its 48MP Fusion camera.
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Still, it's the A18 chip that's the big selling point. Hyping the souped-up SE, Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing, gushed: "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.
"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."
Apple might be happy with its latest offering, but with one comment saying, "What is this nonsense ?!" it seems a lot of you will be skipping the iPhone 16e.
The iPhone 16e is offering up pre-sales from February 21 and is going on sale from February 28. While it's too early to tell, many are saying Apple should hold the 'L' on this one.