Apple iPhone 16e hot take

The iPhone SE (2025) iPhone 16e is the first Apple device to launch in 2025 and its arrival left us with several question marks.

What’s up with the price hike?

While it starts at $599 in the U.S., the 16e is disproportionately more expensive across Europe and other key markets. The iPhone 16e is no cheap phone. By the way, the iPhone 15 is still available directly from Apple for $699, which gets you an ultrawide camera, MagSafe and Dynamic Island capabilities.

While most of the coverage deems the 16e as “Apple’s affordable iPhone,” that term is relative only to the rest of the iPhone 16 series. This begs the question…

Who is the target audience?

Older iPhone SE users? Compact phone users (RIP iPhone mini)? The “I just want an iPhone” crowd? We’re not so sure ourselves. Apple is asking upper midrange money for what is essentially a device entirely made with recycled parts from previous generations of iPhones.

Yes, the A18 chip is fairly new, though it's not the exact one used in the iPhone 16 series phones. But at least the 16e boasts a custom 5G modem.

The Apple C1 modem is a milestone for Cupertino

After years of speculation and reports of completely abandoning its in-house modem plans, the stars finally aligned for Apple. The 16e is the first Apple device with an in-house 5G modem and it will lay the foundation for a future of less reliance on Qualcomm.

The hefty $1 billion acquisition of Intel’s modem business may be finally justified if the 16e performs up to par, which remains to be seen.

No MagSafe is a bummer

It’s been a part of every new iPhone (sans the SE models) for the last five years but Apple chose to omit its MagSafe charging and accessory system even though the 16e is reusing the iPhone 14’s body.

Apple confirmed that its new C1 modem is not interfering so we can only see this as just another cost-cutting measure. At least the OLED display, FaceID and Action Button made their way.

Where did the colors go?

We cannot help but draw parallels between the iPhone 16e and the iPhone 5c. When Apple launched the iPhone 5c back in 2013, we got some of the most unique and fun colors on an iPhone to date.

We feel like Cupertino could have applied that same approach with the 16e to boost its appeal, but the only way you’d be able to add some pop is by slapping on a case.

Potential battery champ?

The binned A18 chip, paired with the 6.1-inch OLED screen (60Hz) and that new C1 modem, should deliver some mighty battery endurance. Apple is already promising “the best battery life in an iPhone this size” on the 16e’s official page.

While we don’t have an actual battery capacity to go with, we can only use Apple’s video playback claims, which promise 26 hours on the 16e compared to 22 hours on the iPhone 16. If this holds up, the 16e could become one of the better-performing compact phones in terms of battery endurance.

So long home button and mute switch

The 16e marks the official outing of the home button and mute switch. The pair has been synonymous with the iPhone since day one, and while times have changed and buttons have evolved, we’re left a bit nostalgic.

So long home button and mute switch

The home button, in particular, had an appeal for elderly users and those who prefer tactile feedback. Similar points can be made for the mute switch. On the flip side, the Action Button offers a lot more versatility than the single-purpose mute switch, and the swipe gestures come with added screen real-estate.

Apple iPhone 16e