iPhone 16e available for pre-order today: Release date, price, key features, what to know
Key points
- Apple’s new iPhone 16e is available for pre-order Friday. The smartphone will be available in stores on Feb. 28.
- The iPhone 16e starts at $599.
- The new smartphone features a 6.1-inch OLED screen, 48-megapixel rear camera, upgraded emergency features and Apple Intelligence.
Apple’s new budget smartphone is available for preorder starting Friday.
Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, the fourth edition of the company’s most affordable smartphone lineup, after CEO Tim Cook announced the launch a week earlier. The iPhone 16e has a larger display, uses Face ID, has USB-C charging ports and includes a 48-megapixel rear camera. The smartphone also introduces Apple’s first cellular modem, the Apple C1.
Here’s what you need to know about the new iPhone 16e and when you can get it.
What time do iPhone 16e preorders open? When is the release date?
The iPhone 16e is available for preorder on Apple’s website, starting at 8 a.m. EST Friday.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY daily crossword puzzle.
The smartphone will be available in stores on February 28.
How much does the iPhone 16e cost?
Here are the details of the iPhone 16e pricing, based on storage space:
- $599 for 128 gigabytes
- $699 for 256 gigabytes
- $899 for 512 gigabytes
What colors are available?
The iPhone 16e is available in Matte Black and Matte White. The Apple iPhone 16e silicone cases are available in Winter Blue, Fuchsia, Sea Green, Black, and White.
Display and design
The iPhone 16 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina OLED display and a notch, a small black area at the top of the screen that houses the front-facing camera, top-firing speaker, and Face ID.
Add Face ID
The iPhone 16e is the first budget smartphone to feature Apple’s Face ID, allowing users to unlock their phone using facial recognition. Previously, Apple used Touch ID, which allowed users to unlock their phone with their fingerprint.
Improved rear and front cameras
The iPhone 16e features a 48-megapixel rear camera and a 12-megapixel front camera. The rear camera includes a 2x telephoto lens. Both the rear and front cameras have Night and Portrait modes.
The iPhone 16e has the ability to capture 4K video at up to 60 frames per second and uses spatial audio.
Enhanced emergency features
The iPhone 16e includes a crash detection feature that Apple says “detects a serious car accident and automatically contacts emergency services if the user is unconscious or unable to access their iPhone.”
The iPhone 16e comes with several new safety features:
- Satellite Emergency SOS: Make an emergency call without phone service
- Collision Detection: Apple automatically makes an emergency call when the device detects that the owner has been involved in a serious collision.
- Satellite Roadside Assistance: Contact a satellite roadside service provider, even when you’re out of range
- Satellite Messaging: Send text messages when you’re out of range of phone service
- Find My via Satellite: Use Find My apps without phone service
Apple Intelligence
The iPhone 16th is powered by Apple’s A18 chip, which enables Apple Intelligence. Here are some of the popular Apple Intelligence features that will be available on the new smartphone:
- Cleanup Tool: Remove items from photos in the Photos app.
- Natural Language Search: Search for photos and videos in the Photos app with a description.
- Photo Playground: Create images from descriptions, concepts, or people in the Photos app.
- Genmoji: Create custom emojis.
Siri Update: Write messages to Siri, which can also understand when users stumble over words. - GPT Chat: AI software integrated into phone typing tools and Siri for free
Add an external action button
The iPhone 16e features an external action button, allowing users to access multiple tools with a single tap. The button can be customized in the Settings app, allowing users to use features like the camera or flashlight. The action button also allows users to switch between Ring and Silent Notifications modes and enable Voice Memos, Focus, Translate, Magnifier, and Shazam.
Universal charging port
The iPhone 16e features a USB-C charging port, compared to Apple’s previous Lightning port. This is legally required by EU law.
Battery life
The iPhone 16e supports up to 26 hours of video playback and up to 90 hours of audio playback – an additional 11 hours of video playback are supported by the iPhone SE, the third generation of budget smartphones.
