Today, February 19, 2025, Apple will officially introduce its cheapest iPhone, which according to all reports will be called the iPhone 16E. Although we are still waiting for official data, all major sources – from Bloomberg to reliable leakers on Weibo – are convinced that it will be the successor to the iPhone SE (3rd generation). Apple is clearly ending the SE label and introducing a new "E" series, which – similar to Samsung's FE ("Fan Edition") models – will offer many of the flagship features, but at a lower and more affordable price. So let's guess what the price will be. What does this mean in practice? Lots of performance, but also a lot of compromises.
iPhone 16E will offer 6.1-inch OLED display, which means Apple is finally saying goodbye to the outdated LCD panels that characterized the SE series. It will be powered by the latest Apple A18 chip, the same as what we will find in the standard iPhone 16 models. The device will have 8 GB of RAM, which means better multitasking and longer software support in the future.
In the field of cameras Apple will not exaggerate – we expect 48 MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), but without the additional ultra-wide or telephoto lenses. Apple will also eliminate Touch ID, as the new model will only supported Face ID, which will bring the phone even closer to more expensive models. As expected, the device will switch to USB-C, but not because Apple would like it, but because of pressure from European regulations.
Connectivity will be improved with Apple's own 5G modem, which will reduce dependence on Qualcomm. In addition, the iPhone 16E is expected to support some Apple Intelligence features, but probably in a somewhat limited form so that Apple can keep exclusive AI capabilities for more expensive models. We are especially curious about what the price of the iPhone 16E will be?!
Price and Storage: Is 64GB Really Acceptable for the iPhone 16E in 2025?
The biggest problem with the new model is the storage space and its price. According to the latest information, the starting price of the iPhone 16E will be $499, which is $70 more than the previous SEBut what's even more surprising is that Apple will apparently insist on 64 GB of base space, which is unacceptable in 2025.
If Apple maintains its typical strategy of charging extra for more space, we can expect it to 128 GB model cost $599, while it will The 256 GB version reached a price of $699This means that you would pay almost as much for the most expensive model as for top-of-the-line Android phones with significantly better specs.
For comparison, Google Pixel 9a will be at least $100 cheaper (to be launched in the second half of the year) and will offer in the basic version at least 128 GB of spaceSo Apple is betting on its brand and ecosystem. But the question is whether that will be enough to convince buyers who want the best price-performance ratio.
Design: iPhone 14 is coming back?
Apple will not experiment in the design area, as the iPhone 16E will be almost identical to the iPhone 14 – dimensions, buttons, frame. This means that it will have aluminum body and glass back, which will give it a more premium feel than previous SE models. The device will support IP68 water resistance, which means it will be resistant to dust and short-term immersion in water.
One of the major differences compared to more expensive models will be the absence Dynamic Iceland, which will remain exclusive to the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro. There will also be no physical Touch ID button, meaning Apple will completely switch to Face ID as the only biometric authentication method.
If you've been waiting for a cheaper iPhone with a modern design, the 16E will finally be a real upgrade, as it will no longer resemble outdated models from the past decade.
Is the iPhone 16E really a "budget" iPhone?
Apple is clearly aware that it has to offer something better than the SE series, if it wants to remain competitive in the mid-range price range. The question is, will it 64GB model for $499 really convincing enough compared to competitors like Google Pixel 9a and Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.
iPhone 16E definitely not a bad phone – powerful chip, Face ID, OLED screen and modern design are a big plus. But when we look at the whole picture, it remains same problem as always with Apple: the basic storage is too small, the price quickly increases when we choose a more useful version, and the competition offers more for less money.
If you want the cheapest new iPhone and you don't care about space, then 16E will be a great choice. But if you want best price-performance ratio, you may need to look elsewhere.
What do you think? It is iPhone 16E the right choice would you prefer to buy a used, higher-end iPhone? Tell us what you think!
