Apple has officially unveiled the new iPhone 16e - which is set to be a more budget-friendly version of the iPhone 16, along with some solid upgrades.
Apple announced their new addition to the iPhone 16 family this morning (20 Feb), introducing it as “the most affordable member of the iPhone 16 family,” but is it really worth it?
What’s new about the iPhone 16e?
Improved Cameras: Apple is hyping up the 48MP Fusion camera system, which merges two lenses into one for better zoom and clarity. It’s definitely set to be an improvement over older dual-camera setups, with sharp, vibrant and better low-light shots.
Better Battery Life: Apple promises the new iPhone has a "breakthrough battery life,” with up to 26 hours of video playback. The iPhone 16e will also have the option of USB-C charging or wireless charging.
Apple Intelligence: Apple has launched their own AI, promising smarter Siri interactions, improved autocorrect, and helpful writing assistance.
One of the new features I'm most looking forward to seeing is the AI-generated emojis. Instead of being stuck with the same old emoji, you can create your own custom emojis based on whatever you describe. Want an emoji of a potato wearing sunglasses drinking a margarita? You got it.
You'll even be able to create emoji versions of your mates, using AI-generated likeness.
You’ll also be able to ask Siri follow up questions, and make requests like “find that email from Mike about the meeting,” or “remind me about this recipe later.”
Apple Intelligence will also be able to summarize and edit your emails, highlight important notifications, remove objects from photos and take you to specific photos in your camera roll using natural language like, “show me photos of Max at the beach.”
Sounds pretty cool, I won’t lie.
Other features include faster and smoother performance, brighter and sharper display, and more recycled materials used, making it more durable and eco-friendly than other iPhones.
How much is this bad boy gonna cost ya?
The iPhone 16e comes in two matte finishes (black and white) and starts at $1119 for the base 128GB for us here in New Zealand. That's $400 cheaper than the regular iPhone 16 which starts at $1,599.
Is the iPhone 16e worth buying?
The iPhone 16e sounds like it could be a solid upgrade. If you’re still rocking an iPhone 11 or 12, this phone sounds like a great step up. Faster processing, better battery life, and a serious camera upgrade all sound pretty sweet.
But if you’ve already got your mitts on one of the later models of iPhone like the 14 or 15, keep in mind, the iPhone 16e won’t be a groundbreaking jump. It sounds like a dependable and well rounded phone, but nothing revolutionary.
Pre-orders will start at 2am NZT on February 22nd, and the new iPhone will be available from February 28th from Apple and other NZ retailers.
