Apple Releases New “Budget” iPhone

Image courtesy of USA Today

By Tanner Brady

Last week, Apple released a brand new iPhone model, the iPhone 16e. Marketed as the “value” iPhone, this model joins four other iPhone 16 models that were introduced in September: the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The iPhone 16e has a similar design to the iPhone 14, which was released towards the end of 2022, but with upgraded specs and features. For example, it features the same chip that powers the other iPhone 16 models. As a result, it is able to run Apple’s artificial intelligence system, known as Apple Intelligence, which is only available on the newest iPhones. 

Although it only has one camera, it features the same resolution as the main camera on the other iPhone 16 models. It also includes the Action Button, which replaces the ring/silent switch and can be customized to perform a variety of functions.

Apple’s strategy on making budget iPhones has been to use an older design, but to include many of the features that would otherwise only be found on the latest models. The first of these phones was released in 2016. The iPhone SE (short for “special edition”) included many features that were part of their new iPhone 6s, but inside the body of the then two-year-old iPhone 5s. In 2020, Apple unveiled the second generation iPhone SE, this time with the latest iPhone 11 features, but in an iPhone 8 style design. 

The third generation iPhone SE was released in 2022 with an iPhone 8 style chassis, but had many of the features of the then-latest iPhone 13. This was the model Apple sold up until last Wednesday. Since the unveiling of iPhone 16e, Apple has stopped selling the third generation iPhone SE, although third-party sellers will continue to carry it while supplies last. Interestingly, the third generation iPhone SE was the last Apple product to feature their signature home button, so with the new 16e, Apple has officially killed it off and stopped selling any product with one. 

Apple generally likes to keep their on behind-the-scenes work a secret; however, leading up to the release of the iPhone 16e, many rumors were sparked based on leaked information. Because of Apple’s previous naming convention, many assumed that the phone would be called the fourth generation iPhone SE. But Apple threw a curveball and decided to use a name that had never been used before: iPhone 16e. A representative from Apple said that the “e” doesn’t stand for anything but that it is “built for everyone.”

However, the price may not be for everyone. The third generation iPhone SE originally sold for $429. With the new iPhone 16e, Apple has increased the price to $599. When the rumors were first circulating about this new phone, most people speculated that it would stay in that $400-500 price range.

It is important to note that not all of the iPhone 16 features are on this budget phone. Apple left some things out to differentiate it from the other models. For example, the iPhone 16e lacks MagSafe, which is a set of magnets in the phone that allow people to attach accessories like wallets to the back of their phone, or to attach it to a car mount. As stated earlier, the iPhone 16e only has one camera; it lacks the ultra-wide camera that has become a standard on iPhones today. It excludes the dynamic island, which is the oval shaped cutout at the top of the phone which houses the camera and Face ID sensor, and can show system alerts and background tasks, such as when music is playing. The phone also does not have the new camera control button, which is a button that was introduced with the iPhone 16 to allow quick access to the camera and many of its features. 

The exclusion of these significant features are leaving many people wondering if the phone is worth buying after the price increase. After all, it is only $200 cheaper than the regular iPhone 16 model, which includes all these features and more. However, the average consumer doesn’t care about all the bells and whistles that a more technologically advanced person would want in a phone. They want something new, but easy to learn. This iPhone may be the perfect middle ground between the old and the new: something that is modern, but not overwhelming.