Apple on Wednesday launched the iPhone 16E, the successor to the iPhone SE family which last saw a phone in the year 2022. The company has since then been delaying the launch, reportedly due to modem issues but the new SE is finally here serving as a successor to the iPhone SE (2022). The launch marks a significant step for Apple’s budget-friendly lineup, bringing high-end technology and AI-driven capabilities at an affordable price point.
iPhone 16E joins Made in India bandwagon
Apple has confirmed that the entire iPhone 16 series including the newly launched iPhone 16E is being assembled in India for local as well as for exports to select markets. Apple has been assembling phones in India for some time now and the latest move aligns with the company’s broader strategy of localising production, reducing dependency on China, and catering to both domestic and international markets. The company manufactures phones through its contract manufacturing partners, including Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron (now owned by Tata Group). The iPhone 16 series continues the trend established with previous models such as the iPhone 15, iPhone 14, and iPhone 13 which were also manufactured in India.
iPhone 16E powered by Apple’s A18 Chip and in-house 5G modem
iPhone 16E, as claimed by many reports before its launch, comes with A18 Chip, the same processor found in the standard iPhone 16 models. This is a major upgrade for SE phones as it now offers Apple’s flagship features at an affordable price point.
Additionally, the iPhone 16E comes equipped with Apple’s first-ever in-house 5G modem, which is aimed at improving battery efficiency and connectivity. This marks a major shift from Apple’s previous dependency on third-party modem suppliers like Qualcomm.
The iPhone 16e sports a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a 1.5K resolution and up to 800 nits of peak brightness (1200 nits for HDR). The phone features an iPhone 14-like notch complete with a TrueDepth camera system. Apple has dropped its traditional Touch ID in favour of the Face ID.
Competitive pricing with premium features
The iPhone 16e is priced at Rs 59,900 for 128GB, Rs 69,900 for 256GB and Rs 89,900 for 512GB, respectively. It will be available in stores and online starting February 28 with pre-orders starting from February 21.