February 19, 2025
PRESS RELEASE
Apple Introduces iPhone 16e: A Strong New Addition to the iPhone 16 Family
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA – Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 16e, a powerful new member of the iPhone 16 lineup that delivers exceptional performance at a more accessible price point. The iPhone 16e is equipped with the advanced A18 chip, the new Apple C1 cellular modem, remarkable battery longevity, and an impressive 48MP dual-camera system, all designed to provide outstanding value to customers.
With the efficiency of the A18 chip and Apple’s innovative cellular technology, iPhone 16e ensures users experience fast, seamless performance and exceptional battery life. Built for Apple Intelligence, the iPhone 16e is designed to enhance user privacy while providing relevant, personalized insights. Its 48MP Fusion camera captures stunning images and videos, complemented by a 2x Telephoto lens for enhanced zoom capabilities, allowing users to achieve optical-quality close-ups. In areas lacking cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, Apple’s cutting-edge satellite features—including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My—help keep users connected and safe when it matters most.
The iPhone 16e will come in two stylish matte finishes, black and white, with an array of colorful cases for personalization. Pre-orders begin on Friday, February 21, followed by availability starting on February 28.
“iPhone 16e combines the beloved features of the iPhone 16 series—outstanding battery life, high-speed performance powered by the A18 chip, a unique dual-camera system, and Apple Intelligence—into a powerful, budget-friendly option,” said Kaiann Drance, Apple’s Vice President of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing. “We are thrilled to introduce iPhone 16e, expanding access to the iPhone experience for even more customers.”
Stunning Design and Exceptional Battery Life
The iPhone 16e boasts a robust design with an IP68 rating for splash, water, and dust resistance, along with a Ceramic Shield front cover that is stronger than any smartphone glass currently available. Its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, utilizing OLED technology, offers an edge-to-edge experience that enhances everything from HDR video playback to gaming and reading.
Offering the best battery life ever on a 6.1-inch iPhone, the iPhone 16e lasts up to six hours longer than the iPhone 11 and up to 12 hours longer than all previous generations of iPhone SE. With Face ID enabled by the TrueDepth camera system, users can securely unlock their device, authenticate purchases, and access apps seamlessly. The iPhone 16e supports both wireless charging and USB-C for versatile connectivity.
Unmatched Performance and Connectivity
Powered by the latest A18 chip, the iPhone 16e ensures rapid performance and remarkable energy efficiency. The 6-core CPU runs up to 80 percent faster than the A13 Bionic chip found in the iPhone 11, effortlessly handling both casual tasks and more demanding applications. The 4-core GPU supports stunning graphics, enabling a new level of mobile gaming, including advanced AAA titles and ray tracing for enhanced realism. Additionally, the 16-core Neural Engine facilitates machine learning tasks up to six times faster compared to the A13 Bionic.
The groundbreaking C1 modem, Apple’s first cellular modem, delivers unparalleled 5G connectivity while maximizing power efficiency, contributing to the iPhone 16e’s impressive battery life.
Designed for Apple Intelligence
iPhone 16e is optimized for Apple Intelligence, offering exciting capabilities that make the iPhone even more user-friendly. Features like the Clean Up tool simplify the removal of distracting elements from photos, while natural language search allows users to easily find specific images by describing them.
Additionally, users can get creative with tools such as Image Playground and Genmoji or enhance their writing with new Writing Tools. Siri can now follow conversations more naturally, maintaining context and providing answers about Apple product features. Access to ChatGPT through Writing Tools and Siri allows users to tap into expertise without switching between applications, all while protecting privacy.
Apple Intelligence prioritizes user privacy with on-device processing, ensuring that many functions run directly on the device. For tasks that require larger models, the innovative Private Cloud Compute extends this privacy to the cloud, utilizing user data solely to fulfill requests without storing or sharing it.
Personalized Access with the Action Button
The new Action button on the iPhone 16e grants users instant access to various functions with a simple press. Configurable in the settings, it can quickly open the camera, switch between modes, activate Voice Memos, or utilize Shortcuts for effortless usability. Users can even engage with in-app functions like launching Snapchat’s camera or unlocking a Ford vehicle.
This Action button enables a new visual intelligence experience that enhances learning about various objects and places. It allows users to summarize text, translate languages, identify wildlife, and search for product availability—all while ensuring user control over data usage and sharing.
Premium Camera Capabilities
Equipped with a powerful 2-in-1 camera system, the iPhone 16e excels in capturing everyday moments and special events, including Night mode and Portrait mode functionality. The 48MP Fusion camera utilizes computational photography for high-resolution images, while the integrated 2x Telephoto lens offers optical-quality zoom for close-ups. The front-facing TrueDepth camera also features autofocus, resulting in sharper selfies and group photos.
With the capability to record stunning 4K videos up to 60 fps with Dolby Vision, users can start and stop recordings as needed for flexibility. The iPhone 16e also incorporates Spatial Audio recording for an immersive sound experience, coupled with advanced editing options to enhance video audio quality.
Enhanced Safety and Communication Features
The iPhone 16e ensures users stay connected and can receive help when necessary, utilizing Apple’s satellite capabilities to send messages and access emergency services without cellular coverage. This includes sending groups of messages, connecting to emergency responders, and finding roadside assistance. The Find My app allows location sharing via satellite, ensuring loved ones can track users while traveling. Additionally, Crash Detection can identify severe car accidents and automatically alert emergency services if users are incapacitated.
Featuring iOS 18
With iOS 18, users benefit from enhanced personalization and communication tools. The revamped interface allows for more customization of apps and widgets, while privacy enhancements enable locking and hiding sensitive applications. New features in Messages bring text to life with effects, and users can now schedule messages, improving communication flexibility.
Environmentally Conscious Design
Apple is committed to sustainability, working towards its goal of being carbon neutral by 2030. The company is transitioning to renewable energy for manufacturing, utilizing recycled materials, and designing products to reduce their overall carbon footprint. The iPhone 16e includes over 30 percent recycled content and features various sustainably sourced elements, including recycled cobalt and lithium in its battery.
Pricing and Availability
The iPhone 16e will come in colors white and black, available in storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, starting at a price of $599 (U.S.) or $24.95 (U.S.) per month for 24 months.
Apple also provides various savings and upgrade options. With Apple Trade In, customers can receive up to $120 (U.S.) in credit for trading in an iPhone 11 and up to $170 (U.S.) for an iPhone 12. For carrier offers, trade-ins could yield up to $400 (U.S.) or $599 (U.S.), respectively, for use towards the iPhone 16e. More details can be found in the Apple Store online or at a local Apple Store location.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e will begin at 5 a.m. PST on February 21 across 59 countries, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, and the U.S., with general availability commencing on February 28.
Apple Intelligence will be available in localized English for select regions, with additional language support coming in April and throughout the year.
The iPhone 16e Silicone Case will be available in five colors for $39 (U.S.).
AppleCare+ provides unmatched service and support for iPhone users, offering coverage for accidental damages and 24/7 assistance. Learn more at apple.com/support/products/iphone.
iCloud+ subscriptions start at $0.99 (U.S.) per month, providing up to 12TB of storage for safe cloud access across devices, alongside premium features like Family Sharing and advanced privacy protections.
New iPhone 16e customers may receive three months of complimentary access to Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and Apple Fitness+, subject to regional limitations.
About Apple
Apple changed the personal technology landscape with the launch of the Macintosh in 1984 and continues to lead with innovative products like iPhone, iPad, Mac, and more. The company’s six software platforms create seamless experiences, empowering users with tools such as the App Store, Apple Music, and iCloud. With over 150,000 employees, Apple is dedicated to delivering exceptional products while enhancing the world around us.
Apple’s satellite features are included for free for the first two years following the activation of a new iPhone 14 or later. For more information on availability and service details, please visit support.apple.com.
Press Contacts
Blair Ranger
Apple
blair_ranger@apple.com
Alex Kirschner
Apple
alexkirschner@apple.com
Apple Media Helpline
media.help@apple.com