Apple Unveils iPhone 16E: Farewell to Home Button

Apple has officially bid farewell to the iconic home button, a staple feature since the first iPhone launched in 2007. With the release of the iPhone 16E, the company is fully embracing Face ID and a more modern, streamlined design.

Priced at $599, the iPhone 16E serves as the spiritual successor to the iPhone SE, but with substantial upgrades in design, processing power, and AI capabilities. While it doesn’t quite reach the premium tier of the iPhone 16 and Pro models, it offers a compelling balance between affordability and performance.

Let’s explore what makes the iPhone 16E a significant upgrade—and what trade-offs Apple made to hit this price point.

A Familiar Yet Fresh Design

The iPhone 16E borrows its design cues from 2022’s iPhone 14, featuring an OLED display, Face ID, and a notch instead of the Dynamic Island found on Apple’s flagship models. This marks a notable shift away from Apple’s budget iPhones, which previously retained the Touch ID home button and older LCD technology.

With a 6.06-inch OLED display, the iPhone 16E is now nearly identical in size to the standard iPhone 16 (6.12 inches). Apple has effectively eliminated the option for a significantly smaller iPhone—at least until the rumoured iPhone 17 Air emerges.

In terms of dimensions, the iPhone 16E is slightly narrower (0.1mm) and shorter (0.7mm) than the base iPhone 16. However, it retains a lightweight aluminium and glass construction, making it durable yet comfortable to hold.

Apple keeps things simple in the colour department, offering the 16E in just two classic shades: black and white. While these colours are timeless, those hoping for a more vibrant selection may be disappointed.

Powerful Internals: A18 Chip & Apple Intelligence

One of the biggest surprises is that the Apple iPhone 16E comes equipped with the A18 chip, the same processor powering the standard iPhone 16. This is a major performance boost over previous budget iPhones and ensures the device can handle intensive tasks with ease.

Most notably, the A18 chip enables support for Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new suite of AI-driven tools. These features include:
✅ Advanced notification summaries for better organization
✅ Smarter Siri responses with improved contextual understanding
✅ AI-powered photo enhancements for more refined editing

Unlike older iPhones, such as the iPhone 15, which lacked the minimum 8GB RAM required for Apple Intelligence, the iPhone 16E meets the hardware requirements. This means users can take advantage of cutting-edge AI capabilities without purchasing a Pro model.

Additionally, Apple has bumped the base storage to 128GB, eliminating the outdated 64GB variant that was previously standard in budget models. This upgrade ensures users have ample storage for apps, photos, and videos right out of the box.

Camera & Charging: Where Apple Cut Costs

While the iPhone 16E offers impressive performance for its price, Apple did make some sacrifices to keep costs down.

Camera Limitations

The 16E features a single 48-megapixel rear camera, a downgrade from the dual and triple-lens systems found in Apple’s higher-end models. While the primary sensor is powerful, the lack of an ultrawide or telephoto lens means photography enthusiasts may miss out on versatility.

However, Apple’s computational photography advancements ensure that portrait mode, night mode, and Smart HDR enhancements still deliver high-quality shots, even with just one lens.

Charging Trade-offs

While Apple has finally adopted USB-C for all new iPhones, the iPhone 16E does not support MagSafe accessories or fast wireless charging. Instead, it relies on Qi wireless charging at just 7.5W, significantly slower than the 25W wired charging available on higher-end iPhones.

This means charging your iPhone 16E wirelessly will take noticeably longer, so users who value quick power-ups may want to stick with USB-C wired charging for better efficiency.

Apple’s First Self-Developed Modem: A Major Shift

One of the most interesting additions in the iPhone 16E is its Apple-designed modem, marking the company’s first step toward hardware independence from Qualcomm.

Apple has been working on its own modem technology for years, aiming to control both performance and power efficiency in its devices. While it remains to be seen how Apple’s first modem stacks up against Qualcomm’s industry-leading chips, this move could lay the groundwork for a fully in-house connectivity system in future iPhones.

If Apple’s modem performs well, we could see the company expand this technology to the iPhone 17 series and beyond, further reducing reliance on third-party suppliers.

Is the iPhone 16E Worth Buying?

At $599, the iPhone 16E is $170 more expensive than the previous iPhone SE (2022), but it offers several major improvements, including:

✅ A more modern, notch-based design
✅ A18 chip for better performance
✅ Apple Intelligence support (AI-powered tools)
✅ USB-C charging for universal compatibility
✅ 128GB base storage (no more 64GB models!)

However, there are some compromises to consider:

❌ Only a single rear camera (no ultrawide or telephoto lens)
❌ No MagSafe or fast wireless charging
❌ Limited color options (just black & white)

For users who want a budget-friendly iPhone with a modern design and AI-powered features, the iPhone 16E is an excellent option. However, if you prioritize camera versatility, faster charging, or a wider range of colors, you may want to consider the standard iPhone 16 or a Pro model.

Final Thoughts: A Glimpse into Apple’s Future

The iPhone 16E represents a major shift in Apple’s smartphone lineup, signaling the end of the home button era and fully embracing Face ID and modern AI features.

It’s clear that Apple is pushing its AI-powered Apple Intelligence across all devices, and the iPhone 16E is proof that even budget models won’t be left behind.

Additionally, Apple’s move to develop its own modem suggests the company is laying the groundwork for even bigger innovations in future iPhones.

While the 16E has some trade-offs, it successfully delivers high-end performance at a mid-range price—making it one of the best-value iPhones Apple has ever released.

So, is the iPhone 16E the right upgrade for you? That depends on whether you’re willing to accept a few compromises in exchange for a powerful yet affordable iPhone.