Apple’s expanded its iPhone 16 line-up with the new iPhone 16e. It offers some of the best iPhone features but at a lower price. Including the stunning Super Retina XDR display and crystal-clear 48MP Fusion camera. Plus, the latest A18 chip built for Apple Intelligence.
Let’s get you up to speed with everything Apple’s most affordable new iPhone can do…
iPhone 16e specs and features
Before we look at the iPhone 16e’s coolest specs in detail, here's how it stacks up against the other models in the current iPhone range:
| Specifications | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.7" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.3" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.9" Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Operating System | iOS 18 | iOS 18 | iOS 18 | iOS 18 | iOS 18 |
| Chip | A18 | A18 | A18 | A18 Pro | A18 Pro |
| Capacity | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Main Camera | 2‑in‑1 camera system (48MP Fusion) | Advanced dual‑camera system (48MP Fusion and 12MP Ultra Wide) | Advanced dual‑camera system (48MP Fusion and 12MP Ultra Wide) | Pro camera system (48MP Fusion, 48MP Ultra Wide, and 12MP Telephoto) | Pro camera system (48MP Fusion, 48MP Ultra Wide, and 12MP Telephoto) |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth | 12MP TrueDepth | 12MP TrueDepth | 12MP TrueDepth | 12MP TrueDepth |
| Video Playback | Up to 26 hours | Up to 22 hours | Up to 27 hours | Up to 27 hours | Up to 33 hours |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Connector | USB-C, supports USB 2 | USB-C, supports USB 2 | USB-C, supports USB 2 | USB-C, supports USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s) | USB-C, supports USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s) |
| Charging | Qi wireless charging | MagSafe, Qi2, and Qi wireless charging | MagSafe, Qi2, and Qi wireless charging | MagSafe, Qi2, and Qi wireless charging | MagSafe, Qi2, and Qi wireless charging |
| Weight | 167 grams | 170 grams | 199 grams | 199 grams | 227 grams |
| Colours | White and Black | Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, and Black | Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, and Black | Desert, Natural, White, and Black Titanium | Desert, Natural, White, and Black Titanium |
Super Retina XDR display, robust design
The iPhone 16e fits right in with the rest of the iPhone 16 family. You get the same edge-to-edge 6.1” Super Retina XDR OLED screen found on the standard Apple iPhone 16. And while it can’t reach quite the same level of brightness, it still provides amazing contrast and crisp detail.
You won’t have to worry about that dazzling display getting damaged either. The iPhone 16e has a Ceramic Shield front which Apple say is “tougher than any smartphone glass”. And with an aerospace‑grade aluminium frame, plus an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, the 16e is one tough cookie. Accidental drops and splashes should be no problem.
Two timeless colours
Apple’s iPhone 16e comes in black or white, both with a modern matte finish. And you can always change up the colour with one of our stylish iPhone cases. It’ll add even more protection too.
A big boost in battery life
The new 16e delivers the best battery life ever in a 6.1” iPhone. It’ll last for up to 12 hours longer than the previous iPhone SE — the handset the 16e has essentially replaced. And you can binge movies and boxsets with up to a whopping 26 hours of video playback. That’s four hours more than even the iPhone 16.
When the battery’s low, USB-C fast charging can get the iPhone 16e up to 50% in just 30 minutes. As long as you’re using a 20W or higher adapter. And it also supports Qi wireless charging, so you don’t have to fumble around with cables and can use one charger to top up your devices.
2-in-1 camera system
Whether you’re a content creator or just love capturing everyday moments, the iPhone 16e’s 48MP Fusion camera will help you snap incredible photos. Its main 48MP sensor provides up to four times the resolution of older devices (even as recent as the iPhone 14) for superb detail. And it can take sharp and balanced images when things get dark too, thanks to Night mode.
Plus with the integrated 2x Telephoto lens, you can zoom in with optical quality to get closer to your subject and frame your shots perfectly. Then there’s the front-facing 12MP TrueDepth cam with autofocus — just what you need when it’s selfie time! This also enables Face ID, so you can securely unlock the phone and sign into apps with just a glance.
You get the latest HDR generation with 16e too, which brings people and backgrounds to life with accurate skin tones, vibrant highlights, and deep shadows. And to top it off, you can record in 4K with Dolby Vision and immersive Spatial Audio.
Action button
The 16e also has the handy Action button introduced on the iPhone 16, which gives you quick access to whatever your favourite feature is. It’s basically a shortcut that saves you time menu diving — located just above the volume controls.
You can configure this button to instantly open the Camera app, so you’ll never miss that perfect shot. Or set it up to call your best mate with a single click. It’s faster than speed dial!
A18 chip and Apple Intelligence
The iPhone 16e packs Apple’s latest-gen chip. It makes everything from browsing through your photo gallery to playing demanding mobile games feel smooth. But it’s also geared up to run Apple Intelligence — a family of amazing Ai features that help you write, create, and be more productive. Here are some of the highlights:
Writing Tools: Proofreads your text, rewrites it until the tone’s just right, and can even summarise large blocks of text for you. You can fire up this feature almost everywhere, even in third‑party apps.
Clean Up: Removes background distractions in your photos with just a tap. Perfect for getting rid of photobombers!
Image Playground: Creates fun and original images in seconds, based on a description, concept, or a person from your Photos gallery. You can experiment with different styles too, including animated and illustrated.
Image Wand: Turns a rough sketch into a polished image in the Notes app. Just draw a circle around your drawing or an empty space, and this feature will analyse the surrounding content to create a complementary visual.
Genmoji: Generates a custom emoji to match any conversation. All you have to do is enter a description in the keyboard. You can even create a Genmoji that looks like someone in your Photos library.
Priority messages in Mail app: Moves the most time-sensitive messages to the top of your inbox so you never miss a beat. Like an invite with today’s RSVP, or a check-in reminder for an upcoming flight.
Search for photos and videos: Find a special memory by describing what you’re looking for in the Photos app. No need to spend ages scrolling through hundreds of pics and clips anymore…
Siri’s even smarter too, thanks to Apple Intelligence. If you stumble over your words, Siri will still understand and even maintain context between requests. Plus, Siri can answer thousands of questions about Apple features and settings. Helping you learn how to do things like take a screen recording or schedule a text message with step-by-step instructions.
FAQs
What is the Apple iPhone 16e UK release date?
The iPhone 16e arrives on 28 February 2025. It was announced on 19 February 2025, with pre-orders made available a couple of days later. You can buy the iPhone 16e from Currys right now.
What is the iPhone 16e price?
iPhone 16e starts from £599 for the 128GB model. If you want double the storage, the 256GB version comes in at £699. While the 512GB 16e costs £899 if you need even more space.
Does the iPhone 16e have MagSafe?
No, the iPhone 16e doesn’t have MagSafe support for magnetic accessories. But it does have Qi wireless charging, so you can still power up your device without needing a cable.
Is the iPhone 16e water resistant?
Yes, the iPhone 16e has an IP68 water resistance rating. This means it can handle splashes and short dips in water (a maximum depth of six metres up to 30 minutes).
Any more questions?
Now that you’re clued up on the latest iPhone, how about learning a little more about Apple Intelligence? It’s Apple’s Ai tech that’s only going to get smarter. Or check out our list of the best phones of 2025 for extra shopping advice.
