Apple unveils a budget-friendly iPhone 16e

The iPhone 16e replaces the iPhone SE, which was last released in 2022 as Apple’s budget-friendly option. With a starting price of $599, it is more affordable than the $800 standard iPhone 16 but costs more than the SE, which was priced at $430.

The new device is powered by Apple’s custom C1 cellular modem chip, which processes AI-driven features such as text and audio summarization, new emoji creation, and an enhanced Siri. Apple also highlighted improvements in battery life and camera quality compared to the now-discontinued SE.

In addition to AI capabilities, the iPhone 16e features a larger 16.1-inch display and eliminates the home button, a familiar feature for SE users. Instead, it introduces facial recognition for unlocking the device.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e begin Friday, with in-store availability starting Feb. 28. “We’re so excited for iPhone 16e to complete the lineup as a powerful, more affordable option to bring the iPhone experience to even more people,” said Apple Vice President Kaiann Drance in a statement.

Apple has been promoting its AI advancements since last June, rolling out features gradually. However, the full set of AI capabilities has yet to be released in the U.S. and remains unavailable in certain regions, including China, where Apple has been losing market share. It is unclear when the technology will launch there.

Apple’s stock rose to nearly $245 on Wednesday afternoon, though it remains below its late December peak of around $260.

Earlier, it was reported that 29-year-old Kazakhstani Adilkhan Kopabayev had been appointed as the Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs for Central Asia and Armenia at Apple Inc.