Apple release new iPhone 16e but there’s a major difference in latest model

TECH: Spec piece - new iPhone — Apple bosses say it’s a ‘more affordable option’ (Picture: Apple)

Apple and the word ‘affordable’ aren’t two words you hear together very often – but the company hopes to change that with its new iPhone 16e.

On Wednesday, the company unveiled an affordable(ish) iPhone with a £599 price tag for the 128GB model.

This is £150 more than Apple’s iPhone SE 3, a 2022 device that was the last of Apple’s no-thrills phone line, SE, or ‘Special Edition’.

The SE saw Apple take the best parts of its expensive iPhones and squeeze them into the older iPhone shell with a home button.

However, the mid-range iPhone 16e will be slightly different.

What will be on the iPhone 16e?

For one, the iPhone 16e does not feature a home button or Touch ID, all but phasing out the way of unlocking your iPhone.

Instead, users will open the phone using a facial recognition system, Face ID, which has been around since 2017.

Apple says Face ID is more secure than Touch ID because there are fewer chances of a mismatch.

The 16e also has an aluminium frame with either white or black glass covering the back and a 6.1-inch screen, so the same size as the 16.

An action button – just above the volume buttons where the ring/silent switch used to be – will let people quickly launch apps.

What are the new Apple iPhone 16e specs?

As it’s part of the iPhone 16 family, the new model will have the tech giant’s AI system, Apple Intelligence.

The system can, among other things, give summaries of notifications, help people write messages and generate images.

Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, will also be refined using the AI tech powered by Apple’s A18 chip.

ChatGPT’s ‘problem-solving skills’ will be lending Siri a hand, Apple added.

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The 16e will come with a new AI-powered Visual Intelligence feature – think copying and translating text or identifying animals and plants.

Apple is also rolling out its first custom-designed modem chip, the C1.

While a key selling point of the SE line was its lack of whiz-bang features like ultrafast mobile connection, the C1 chip provides 5G connectivity.

Three-quarters of smartphone users upgrade to a new handset due to battery life, such as issues with recharging or the battery not lasting.

Apple says the 16e will have a larger, longer-lasting battery.

The company says the 16e will last six hours longer than an iPhone 11 and 12 hours longer than any SE model.

As it’s Apple’s answer to a budget iPhone, the 16e is a little stripped back compared to the flashier models.

The mobile lacks MagSafe compatibility. Rather than plugging a cable into your phone to charge it, MagSafe tech uses hidden magnets so you can use wireless chargers.

Though, Apple says that while you can’t use MagSafe chargers, the 16e will support wireless charging, just at a slower 7.5W speed.

Is it at all similar to the iPhone SE?

The only major similarity between the 16e and SE lineup is the camera.

Most modern iPhone cameras consist of a cluster of lenses – the SE is just one lens, which is retro by today’s standards.

This singular lens packs a punch, though. While it’s not ultrawide, it’s a 48-megapixel lens that can capture 2x telephoto shots, a long focal length.

The 16e was announced on Apple’s website with a 13-minute film featuring CEO Tim Cook.

‘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 two-in-one camera system, and Apple Intelligence,’ said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing.

‘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.’