Apple iPhone 16e Is The Best Budget iPhone Ever @$599?

After CEO Tim Cook teased it a few days ago, Apple has introduced its first affordable nearly flagship level iPhone in the market - the Apple iPhone 16e. It stands apart from the affordable SE 'small' smartphones series. The new iPhone 16e costs $599 (Rs 59900) for the 128GB storage and 8GB RAM variant. Which makes it the lowest-priced option in Apple’s 2025 lineup. If you love clicking photos, the 48MP sensor on the iPhone 16e camera allows the capturing of stunning super‑high‑resolution images. The integrated 2x telephoto lets you zoom in with optical quality. You also get 4K video in Dolby Vision with high-quality audio. iPhone 16e has the same resolution as all iPhone 16 models. Just remember that the iPhone SE series is now dead, literally.

After CEO Tim Cook teased it a few days ago, Apple has introduced its first affordable nearly flagship level iPhone in the market - the Apple iPhone 16e. It stands apart from the affordable SE 'small' smartphones series. The new iPhone 16e costs $599 (Rs 59900) for the 128GB storage and 8GB RAM variant. Which makes it the lowest-priced option in Apple’s 2025 lineup. If you love clicking photos, the 48MP sensor on the iPhone 16e camera allows the capturing of stunning super‑high‑resolution images. The integrated 2x telephoto lets you zoom in with optical quality. You also get 4K video in Dolby Vision with high-quality audio. iPhone 16e has the same resolution as all iPhone 16 models. Just remember that the iPhone SE series is now dead, literally.

Even in countries like India, where the affordable smartphone market is dominating, the new iPhone 16e created a space for it too by being the cheapest iPhone choice now.

Apple discontinued the iPhone SE which had a starting price of $429. That means this new entry-level iPhone costs $170 more than the SE model did.

Apple has not kept the price of the iPhone 16e anywhere near the iPhone SE series because it comes with several upgrades compared to older budget models and that is where its significance for users lies, both for professional, education, entertainment, or any other purposes.:

●      A modern design similar to premium iPhones

●      The A18 chip

●      A new Action Button for quick shortcuts

●      Face ID instead of the old Touch ID

●      More storage, with a 128GB base model

●      Apple Intelligence

●      It touts a 48MP Fusion camera (Apple says its akin to having 2 cameras in 1)

These improvements bring better technology, but they also make the device more expensive. Some buyers may appreciate the added features, while others might find the price increase disappointing.

With the iPhone 16e included, here is Apple’s updated pricing lineup:

● iPhone 16e – $599

● iPhone 15 – $699

● iPhone 15 Plus – $799

● iPhone 16 – $799

● iPhone 16 Plus – $899

● iPhone 16 Pro – $999

● iPhone 16 Pro Max – $1,199

Pre-order the iPhone 16e from 6:30 PM IST on Friday, 21 February. The smartphone will be available from 28 February. And, notably, Apple says Apple Intelligence in English is coming in early April.