Apple has just announced the iPhone 16e, a more affordable option in the iPhone 16 series. Starting at Dh2,599, it’s a lot cheaper than the standard iPhone 16, which starts at Dh3,399. The 16e comes in two sleek matte finishes — black and white — with storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.

Pre-orders kick off on Friday, February 21, and the phone officially hits stores on Friday, February 28.

What’s New in the iPhone 16e?

The 16e delivers fast performance and impressive battery life, all thanks to the A18 chip and the brand-new Apple C1, Apple’s first-ever in-house cellular modem. Plus, it’s designed to work seamlessly with Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI system introduced last year.

Features to Get Excited About

• 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display – OLED tech for a crisp, bright screen.
• 48MP Fusion camera – Takes stunning photos and videos, with a built-in 2x Telephoto system for optical zoom.
• Satellite features – Stay connected in emergencies with Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, and Find My via satellite.
• Durability – IP68-rated water and dust resistance, plus Ceramic Shield front glass that Apple says is tougher than any other smartphone glass.
• Long battery life – Lasts up to 6 hours longer than the iPhone 11 and 12 hours longer than any iPhone SE model.
• Face ID & Charging – TrueDepth camera for secure Face ID unlock, plus wireless charging and USB-C support.

Apple Intelligence & AI Features

Apple Intelligence brings a bunch of new AI-powered tools, including:

• Clean Up – An image-editing tool that removes unwanted objects from photos.
• Natural language search in Photos.
• Image Playground & Genmoji – Fun tools to create custom images and emojis.
• Smarter Siri – Now more conversational and able to follow up on requests. Bonus: ChatGPT integration for quick AI assistance.

There’s also a new Action button, letting you quickly access the camera, flashlight, or other functions. Plus, Visual Intelligence helps identify objects, translate text, and recognize animals.

With all these features at a lower price, the iPhone 16e looks like a solid choice for those wanting a high-end iPhone experience without breaking the bank.

(Image courtesy apple.com)