5 reasons why iFans are rushing to buy the newly released iPhone 16e

In fact, the iPhone 16e isn't really a successor to the iPhone SE (2022). It's more like a slightly cheaper version of the iPhone 16 than an iPhone SE 4.

This iPhone has a 6.1-inch OLED display, the latest A18 chip and Apple Intelligence, a more powerful 48MP camera, and Apple's new C1 modem. While there are a few downsides, here are 5 reasons why fans will want to own the iPhone 16e.

1. New design

Apple's cheapest iPhone finally gets a new design, ditching the outdated iPhone 8 design for an iPhone 14-inspired look — complete with a 6.1-inch OLED display. The iPhone 16e has slimmer bezels and ditches the Touch ID home button in favor of Face ID.

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iPhone 16e.

As a result, the phone looks much better without the thick screen bezels. The iPhone 16e also has a flat edge design like other high-end iPhone models, and users will feel much more comfortable when holding it. In addition, the additional screen space allows users to see and do more.

But unlike the iPhone 14, the iPhone 16e's charging port is USB-C.

2. Upgraded camera

Although the iPhone 16e only has one rear camera lens, the camera has been upgraded quite a bit compared to the iPhone SE 3. This time, Apple offers a 48MP rear camera, which is a significant "leap" in resolution compared to the 12MP lens on the iPhone SE 3.

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iPhone 16e has a 48MP main camera.

But it's not just a 48MP lens, it's the same Fusion camera as the iPhone 16. That means users can take high-resolution photos or take advantage of Apple's 2x Telephoto feature, which offers "optical quality" 2x zoom.

The rear camera also offers 4K video recording at up to 60fps, Spatial Audio recording, and TrueDepth autofocus on the front camera.

Likewise, the selfie camera has been bumped up from 7MP to 12MP — both lenses offer the same resolution as the iPhone 16.

3. Built-in Apple Intelligence

Apple is really pushing Apple Intelligence. But now that the iPhone 16e is confirmed to support Apple Intelligence as well, it means that accessing Apple's AI suite is a little easier and cheaper.

Users will have access to useful and fun AI features like Writing Tools, Photo Cleanup, Genmoji, and Audio Mixing for Videos. Plus, owners will also benefit from a smarter, more conversational Siri.

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The biggest surprise is that the iPhone 16e will also have all the same AI features as the other iPhone 16 series — including Visual Intelligence. That means iPhone 16e users will be able to use AI Vision mode.

4. Action Buttons and Visual Intelligence

One of the biggest surprises of the iPhone 16e announcement was the addition of the Action button. First introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, the Action button is a programmable button that can be used to trigger a specific feature at a moment's notice. It replaces the old physical mute switch.

With the iPhone 16e's action button, users can adjust the flashlight, record audio, take voice notes, translate foreign languages, etc. But what's really interesting is that Visual Intelligence has also been added to the list.

This allows users to use the Action button to open Apple's AI Vision mode and use a combination of Apple Intelligence and ChatGPT to learn more about the world around them.

5. Satellite connection

Like the iPhone 14 and newer phones, the iPhone 16e also offers satellite connectivity. All of the satellite features on other iPhones will also be available on the iPhone 16e, including satellite-based Emergency SOS, which can help users contact emergency services if needed.

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Other satellite features include: Satellite Messaging, which provides an iMessage-like experience for non-emergency situations, and Find My via satellite. Like other iPhones, this service is free for the first two years of use.

Lesley Montoya

Update 23 February 2025