Apple today unveiled the iPhone 16e, the newest and “most affordable” model in the iPhone 16 lineup it says. Pricing-wise, it’s much more expensive in Canada compared to the iPhone SE 3’s launch three years ago.
It features the A18 chip, Apple’s first-ever C1 modem for improved 5G, and Apple Intelligence. The 48MP 2-in-1 camera system offers high-resolution shots with 2x ‘optical’ zoom. The phone has up to 26 hours of video playback, USB-C charging, and Face ID (RIP Touch ID), which is four hours more than an iPhone 16. We now have a larger 6.1-inch screen instead of the 4.7-inch display on the iPhone SE.
The Action button now includes visual intelligence, allowing users to identify objects, add events to calendars, and search online (but no Camera Control?!). The iPhone 16e is water and dust-resistant and has a Ceramic Shield display on its 6.1-inch display.
Below is Apple’s full 12-minute presentation detailing the iPhone 16e. It’s clear the entry pricing for an iPhone has now jumped to $899 in Canada:
iPhone 16e Features and Specs and Pricing
Design & Display
- 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display
- Tough Ceramic Shield front cover
- IP68-rated splash, water, and dust resistance
- Available in matte black and matte white finishes
Performance & Battery Life
- Powered by the A18 chip for fast, smooth performance
- 6-core CPU (80% faster than A13 Bionic) and 4-core GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
- C1 modem – Apple’s first custom-designed cellular modem for fast, power-efficient 5G connectivity
- Best battery life on a 6.1-inch iPhone – up to 6 hours longer than iPhone 11 and 12 hours longer than iPhone SE
- USB-C charging and wireless charging
Camera System
- 48MP Fusion camera with advanced computational photography
- 2-in-1 Camera System – includes a built-in 2x Telephoto zoom for optical-quality zoom
- Night Mode, Portrait Mode, and Smart HDR for detailed and vibrant photos in any lighting
- TrueDepth front camera for sharp selfies and video calls
- 4K Dolby Vision video recording up to 60fps
- Spatial Audio recording for immersive sound playback
Apple Intelligence & Smart Features
- Apple Intelligence built-in – personalized AI features for efficiency and privacy
- Clean Up tool – remove unwanted elements from photos
- Image Playground – create fun and unique images with customizable themes
- Genmoji – AI-powered emoji creation
- Writing Tools – proofread and refine text with AI assistance
- Siri upgrades – now more conversational and can integrate with ChatGPT for smarter responses
- Visual Intelligence – identify objects, summarize text, translate languages, and more using the camera
Action Button & Accessibility
- Customizable Action Button for quick access to camera, flashlight, Siri, Focus modes, and more
- In-app shortcuts – launch Snapchat camera, unlock car doors, track sleep schedules, and more
Safety & Connectivity
- Emergency SOS via satellite – send messages without Wi-Fi or cellular signal
- Find My via satellite – update your location when off the grid
- Crash Detection – automatically contacts emergency services in case of a severe car accident
Sustainability & Environmental Impact
- Designed with over 30% recycled materials
- 100% recycled cobalt & lithium in the battery
- 100% fiber-based packaging, moving towards Apple’s plastic-free packaging goal
- Apple facilities powered by 100% renewable energy
Pricing & Availability
- Starts at $899 CAD or $37.46 CAD per month (24 months, 0% APR)
- Available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options
- Pre-orders start February 21 – Available February 28
- Trade-in offers available – Get up to $220 CAD credit for older iPhone models
Accessories & AppleCare+
- iPhone 16e Silicone Case available in Winter Blue, Fuchsia, Lake Green, Black, and White ($55 CAD)
