It’s official: the home button is no longer in use. Apple has officially launched the iPhone 16E, showcasing an updated design that replaces the classic Touch ID interface with an innovative Face ID-enabled notch. This new model comes equipped with the latest A18 chip and incorporates support for Apple Intelligence, enhancing its overall performance.
The iPhone 16E serves as a successor to the iPhone SE, borrowing its design elements from the 2022 iPhone 14. This design accommodates front-facing cameras necessary for Face ID, integrating them into a notch that descends from the top of the device rather than utilizing the Dynamic Island feature found in Apple’s latest flagship models.
With a vibrant 6.1-inch OLED display, the iPhone 16E is now comparable in size to Apple’s standard iPhone 16. This means Apple no longer offers a smaller model than its default option until the anticipated iPhone 17 Air makes its debut.
The iPhone 16E features a customizable Action Button but does not include the new Camera Control found in the 16 series. Notably, it has transitioned from a Lightning port to USB-C, aligning with the requirements for devices sold in the EU.
Inside, the device houses an A18 chipset, identical to that of the iPhone 16. This powerful configuration enables the iPhone 16E to run Apple Intelligence, a suite of AI tools that includes advanced notification summaries. Remarkably, even the non-Pro iPhone 15 lacks this capability, positioning the 16E among the most powerful iPhones available. Given that Apple has confirmed that 8GB RAM is necessary for Apple Intelligence support in the iPhone 16 series, it is likely that the 16E also features at least this amount of memory. Additionally, the baseline storage has been increased to 128GB, eliminating the previous 64GB option.
While the iPhone 16E is equipped with a single 48-megapixel rear camera, the absence of additional cameras represents a notable downgrade compared to Apple’s other offerings. However, it retains wireless charging capabilities and boasts an impressive water-resistant IP rating, ensuring that users do not compromise on key features.
Furthermore, the iPhone 16E is the first device to utilize a modem developed entirely by Apple. After years of reliance on Qualcomm’s modems, this marks a significant milestone, raising questions about the new modem’s performance and whether Apple plans to incorporate its own connectivity components in the upcoming iPhone 17 line later this year.
The new iPhone 16E is set to be available for preorder tomorrow, starting at $599. This represents a considerable price increase from the $429 of the 2022 iPhone SE; however, the base model now offers significantly more storage and a decidedly modern design. The official release date is slated for February 28th.
