[News] Apple Unveils iPhone 16e: A Budget AI-Powered Smartphone, Replacing the SE Line

Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e, a new addition to the iPhone 16 series that is expected to replace the previous iPhone SE lineup. Its press release states that this product offers powerful Apple smartphone features at an affordable price.

As noted in its press release, the iPhone 16e comes with the A18 chip and Apple’s newly developed C1, the company’s first in-house cellular modem. Notably, the press release emphasizes that the C1 is the most power-efficient modem ever featured in an iPhone, offering fast and dependable 5G connectivity. Furthermore, the iPhone 16e is designed to support Apple Intelligence.

Regarding the camera system, the iPhone 16e features an innovative 2-in-1 design. According to its press release, the built-in 2x Telephoto allows users to experience the benefits of two cameras in one. This setup enables optical-quality zoom, bringing subjects closer while making it easier to frame the perfect shot.

In terms of display, the 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, utilizing OLED technology, offers an immersive edge-to-edge design, making it ideal for watching HDR videos and gaming.

The iPhone 16e also delivers enhanced battery performance. As indicated by its press release, it offers the longest battery life ever seen in a 6.1-inch iPhone, lasting up to six hours longer than the iPhone 11 and up to 12 hours more than any previous iPhone SE model.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e begin on February 21, with availability starting on February 28. As noted by its press release, the iPhone 16e comes in two matte finishes—black and white—and is available in three storage options: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.

The iPhone 16e will be priced at USD 599, a USD 170 increase from the previous entry-level model, the iPhone SE, as highlighted by a report from Reuters.

The Reuters report indicates that Apple is targeting mid-end-market consumers in major growth regions like China and India, positioning the iPhone 16e to compete with popular Android smartphones. This launch comes at a time when competitors such as Samsung and China’s Huawei are integrating AI features into their devices.

Meanwhile, as highlighted by another report from Reuters, citing The Information, Apple is collaborating with Alibaba to introduce AI features for iPhone users in China.

According to TrendForce, as the market’s attention is turning to AI-powered smartphones, devices must support on-device AI computation capabilities, such as machine learning and generative AI. AI smartphones are projected to account for 10% to 15% of total production in 2024.

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(Photo credit: Apple)