The entry-level iPhone is back, with a single camera and a notch on the front
The wait is over. Apple has just made the new iPhone 16e official, the successor to the eagerly awaited fourth-generation iPhone SE. It is a device that inherits the best of the iPhone 16 and recycles much of the hardware seen in previous generations. An entry-level iPhone for those who want to enter the Apple world without breaking the bank. With a single camera, a design that is familiar to us, and Apple Intelligence as its main asset, we break down the specifications and features of this model as a gateway to iOS.
iPhone 16e technical specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Screen | 6.1” OLED Super Retina XDR, 2,532 by 1,170px (460 ppi), Up to 1,200 nits, True Tone, HDR |
| Processor | Apple A18 Bionic |
| Storage | 128 / 256 / 512 GB |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Dimensions and weight | 147.67 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm, 167 g |
| Software | iOS 18, Apple Intelligence |
| Rear cameras | Main: 48 MP, 26 mm, f/1.6 |
| Front camera | True Depth 12 MP, f/1.9 |
| Battery | N/A |
| Connectivity | USB-C |
| Other | Face ID, Dynamic Island, IP68 resistance, Emergency calls, Accident detection |
Price
We thought it was extinct, but the notch is back. The iPhone 16e features a 6.1-inch OLED screen with Full HD+ resolution and a refresh rate of 60 Hz. There is Face ID, but no Dynamic Island, so the only way to “hide” the biometric sensors is the one we’ve seen for years: the notch. As a point of difference from the 16 and 15 series models, this panel only goes up to 1,200 nits, below the 2,000 nits already democratized in its older siblings.
A single camera, notch. This iPhone is a return to basics
This front, which is very reminiscent of the iPhone 14, is not the only thing that evokes times gone by. Turning it over, we find a single camera, discreetly reminiscent of the iPhone 8, finished in aluminum and glass, like this phone. The button panel is still on the usual Apple sides, with a programmable action button and no trace of the Camera Control seen on the 16 family.
Beyond the front and back, the measurements of this phone are reminiscent of any of its siblings at 6.1 inches. It is a relatively compact phone, especially light, and designed for those who shy away from “Plus” and “Max” formats.
iPhone 16’s heart for a clear reason
Historically, iPhone SE models have never incorporated the latest available processor. Until now. The reason? Apple Intelligence demands a huge amount of resources, including a minimum of 8 GB of RAM (which is why the iPhone 15s are left out and the Pros can run it).
This phone has the same processor as the iPhone 16 (with a small change) and Apple’s first 5G modem
The other big advantage of this phone is its processor, the Apple A18 Bionic, which it shares with its siblings, the iPhone 16. So buying an iPhone 16e means buying the “same” power as the top model. The quotation marks are necessary because, although the processor is the same, the GPU has one less core than the iPhone 16. The graphics performance with a total of four cores should be more than enough, although a step behind its sibling.
Another of the big new features is its C1 modem, the first time that Apple has dispensed with Qualcomm to incorporate its own 5G modem. It is designed to achieve better energy efficiency and, according to Apple, this phone lasts four hours longer on video playback compared to the iPhone 16. Its battery is one hour less than that of the iPhone 16 Pro, which offers 27 hours compared to 26 hours for the 16e.
This phone does without MagSafe, although it is compatible with Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W. And if you’re wondering about the USB-C port, it’s USB-2, just like the iPhone 16. In terms of connectivity, it has full 5G satellite connection, accident detection and eSIM.
The raison d’être of this hardware is Apple Intelligence. Apple has wanted to equip its entry-level model with its AI, so there will be no limitations compared to its older siblings. All artificial intelligence functions will be available on this phone.
A single camera, just like in the old days
The iPhone 16e maintains the tradition of the iPhone SE: a single camera. In this case, it inherits the 48-megapixel sensor that allows for two-magnification “optical” zoom. In this way, Apple manages to incorporate a small telephoto lens into its single-camera phone, alleviating zoom needs to a certain extent.
There is no trace of ultra-wide angle, and the selfie is configured with a 12-megapixel front camera, the classic TrueDepth with auxiliary support from depth sensors to achieve portrait mode.
Price and availability of the iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e lands in Spain at a price of 709 euros. It can be reserved this Friday the 21st, with the first deliveries starting next Friday the 28th. This makes it the most affordable iPhone in the family, 250 euros less than an iPhone 16 (at the official Apple Store price, of course).
