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The MacRumors Show: iPhone 16e Announced!

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we unpack Apple's announcement of the all-new iPhone 16e.


The iPhone 16e is the newest member of the iPhone lineup, offering a massive upgrade over the now-discontinued third-generation iPhone SE. It features a 6.1-inch OLED display with a notch for Face ID, a Ceramic Shield front cover, a USB-C port, and an Action button, and much more.

It is powered by an A18 chip, enabling support for Apple Intelligence features, such as notification summaries and Genmoji for creating custom emoji. It also supports Visual Intelligence.

In the iPhone 16e, the A18 chip has a 6-core CPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, but a binned 4-core GPU, making it slightly less powerful than the iPhone 16 and ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus. It also has IP68-rated water resistance, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3.

The device is equipped with an Apple-designed 5G modem called the C1, whereas other iPhones have a Qualcomm modem. Apple says its own modem is so power efficient that the iPhone 16e offers the longest battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone model ever at up to 26 hours.

On the back of the iPhone 16e is a single 48-megapixel Fusion camera, which provides a 2x "optical-quality" Telephoto option, according to Apple. On the front, there is a 12-megapixel camera with autofocus. The device does not have the Camera Control button that was introduced across the rest of the ‌iPhone 16‌ lineup last year. It also lacks MagSafe.

iPhone 16e supports Apple's satellite features. When outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, the iPhone 16e supports Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My via satellite.

The device is available in white or black, and with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage capacities. In the U.S., pricing starts at $599.

We talk through how the iPhone 16e compares to the iPhone 15 and ‌iPhone 16‌, which sit at $699 and $799, respectively. We also contemplate what the discontinuation of the iPhone SE line means for the rumored third-generation Apple Watch SE, which is rumored to launch later this year. The MacRumors Show has its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips.

You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player.


If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about the imminent Apple product "launch" that is widely expected to be the fourth-generation iPhone SE.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Kevin Nether, Jon Prosser, Luke Miani, Matthew Cassinelli, Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Sam Kohl, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

‌The MacRumors Show‌ is on X @MacRumorsShow, so be sure to give us a follow to keep up with the podcast. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the podcast, and let us know what subjects and guests you would like to see in the future.

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Top Rated Comments

Compote Avatar
14 months ago

How are the reactions in Europe and UK ?
I feel personnally insulted by the offering. I have an iPhone 11 with 128GB with 4GB or Ram.
I see no reason to "upgrade", as my 11 from 2019 has UW1, ultrawide angle and works "fine".

There is no reason for this "new" phone to not have UW1, two cameras. Other iphones were the cheaper option for years, like the 12, the 13, the 14 and they had all basic features, will be OK for another half a decade.

This is the iPhone Apple wants you to have, at the price it wants you to pay, NOT the best value it could offer.

Apple is scaling back quality on purpose because it wants to give value to the real base iPhone.
This product is made to let you say "wow, this is ****" and upgrade to a 16.
And, for suckers who will be deluded they are getting a bargain, the overpriced device will make a huge buck for Apple.

It's literrally an abusive relationship at this point, but Apple's been doing that since 2017 and the worst iPad ever, then the worst watch ever, etc.

People will notice. I've noticed.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mr.steevo Avatar
14 months ago
Last week the iPhone SE 2022 was $579 in my country. The iPhone 16e is over $300 more expensive at $899.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
notmyemail Avatar
14 months ago

When discussing the AI feature to erase things in photos, Hartley admitted that he has no idea how much better Samsung does it as he has not seen it as he has never used Android. He has stated in the past about his complete lack of Android experience.

Hartley .... you lose a lot of credibility as you have no idea or personal experience what Apples competitors are doing. You keep stating that you are a "tech enthusiast" but that is BS. Based on your actions, you are simply an Apple enthusiast.

You have a lot of potential but you have to explore other platforms so you can speak with more concrete knowledge.
1. This is not a ratings/comparison website. It's an Apple rumors/products website. You're welcome to wander lost on YouTube among the clickbaiters any time.
2. Please don't use the word 'competition' in a sentence about anything Google-related.
3. Dan gives plenty of airtime to non-Apple tech, and thus often relies on Hartley's detailed memory and understanding of Apple tech. They make a good team for that reason.
4. Your comment "You have a lot of potential but you have to explore other platforms so you can speak with more concrete knowledge" sounds like an insecure school teacher damning the report card of a talented pupil.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
everlast3434 Avatar
14 months ago
Im impressed they found a way to talk about this mid phone for 37 mins!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
14 months ago

How are the reactions in Europe and UK ?
Meh… it’s from € 719 here. There are so much better offerings these days from other brands. Don’t think it will sell like hot cakes here.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
14 months ago

How are the reactions in Europe and UK ?
Too expensive for what it is.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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