Apple unveiled the new budget iPhone 16e

Apple introduced the iPhone 16e, its new budget smartphone. This device is the successor to the third-generation iPhone SE.

The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, replacing the 4.7-inch LCD in the previous iPhone SE model. The screen has a notch for Face ID, meaning Apple no longer sells iPhones with a Touch ID button, marking the end of an era.

The smartphone is powered by the A18 chip, supporting Apple Intelligence features. It also includes Apple’s first proprietary 5G modem, called C1, while other iPhones use Qualcomm modems. According to Apple, their custom modem is so energy-efficient that this model boasts the longest battery life among all 6.1-inch iPhone models.

The smartphone is equipped with a single 48-megapixel main camera. The telephoto lens supports 2x optical zoom and 4K video recording at 60 frames per second.

Other key features include a new "Action Button" on the side of the smartphone, which can be customized to perform various functions. After setup, the Action Button can quickly open the camera or flashlight, toggle between ring and silent modes, identify music using Shazam, activate voice reminders, focus, translation, use a magnifier, and more. It can also launch app functions, such as the camera in Snapchat or unlocking car doors via FordPass. The device does not have the Camera Control button, which was introduced in the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup last year.

Additionally, Apple has replaced the Lightning port with USB-C, in compliance with the European Union's regulations for standardizing charging interfaces for mobile devices.

Apple will begin accepting pre-orders for the iPhone 16e on February 21. In the U.S., the smartphone starts at $599. It will be available in black and white, with storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.