Everything you need to know about Apple’s new iPhone 16e

A quick guide to the brand new iPhone 16e from Apple, complete with breakthrough battery life, a Ceramic Shield front cover, a 48MP two-in-one fusion camera system, and more. 

As the clock struck midnight signalling the start of 20 February in Malaysia, Apple surprised its fans worldwide with the latest addition to the iPhone 16 family: iPhone 16e. Developed as the more affordable member of the series, the new device promises smooth and powerful performance at the hands of the A18 chip alongside the new C1 5G modem. As expected, the phone comes with Apple Intelligence capabilities, which means users will have full access to the suite of AI-driven functions. Let’s waste no time—here is everything you need to know about Apple’s iPhone 16e. 

DESIGN AND DURABILITY

Keeping things simple, iPhone 16e will be available in two elegant finishes: matte white and matte black. It was built to last, coming in with an IP68 rating for splash, water, and dust resistance. The iconic Ceramic Shield front cover is also matched with the toughest back glass seen on a smartphone. All this protection means iPhone 16e will stand up to much of what may be thrown at it—though let’s not get too excessive here. As for visuals, it comes with a Super Retina XDR display with OLED technology and an edge-to-edge design for seamless viewing. 

BATTERY LIFE

Those who spend long days out with their phone will appreciate the battery life on iPhone 16e. According to Apple, it has the best-ever battery life seen on a 6.1-inch iPhone, lasting up to six hours longer than iPhone 11 and supporting up to 26 hours of local video playback. Also, the Lightning cable has officially bid farewell to the iPhone line as the iPhone 16e is fitted with a USB-C port as well as wireless charging capabilities.

PERFORMANCE AND CONNECTIVITY

Behind the iPhone 16e’s incredible battery life is the duo of the A18 chip and C1 modem. The former enables speedy and smooth performance, Apple Intelligence functions, and the phone’s overall efficiency. It is the exact same chip you’d get in iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. Meanwhile, C1 is Apple’s first-ever modem and it comes in as the most power-efficient one ever seen on an iPhone. It delivers fast and reliable 5G cellular connectivity, so the iPhone won’t have to expend too much power on ensuring you stay connected. 

CAMERA

The camera system on iPhone 16e is perfect for capturing moments in your day-to-day life with Night mode and Portrait mode capabilities. The 48MP two-in-one camera system takes super-high-resolution photos, sharpened using computational photography. It comes with a 2x telephoto lens, so users can zoom in on their subjects without compromising on quality. The TrueDepth front camera also allows for sharp selfies and close-ups. As for videos, iPhone 16e can record in 4K with Dolby Vision up to 60 fps as well as Spatial Audio.

APPLE INTELLIGENCE CAPABILITIES

As with the latest slew of Apple products launched in 2024, iPhone 16e comes with Apple Intelligence compatibility. With this, you’ll be able to take advantage of the extensive suite of functions, including Clean Up, Writing Tools, Image Playground, and Genmoji. Find out more about Apple Intelligence here. 

ACTION BUTTON

The customisable Action button makes an appearance on iPhone 16e, offering users easy access to a wide range of functions with a single press. Users can select from a range of functions including switching between ring and silent modes, accessing the camera, opening accessibility features like Magnifier, or engaging Shortcuts for even more options.

You can also use the Action button to launch in-app functions like accessing the camera in Snapchat. Those who rely on Apple Intelligence can use the Action button to unleash a new visual intelligence experience to help them learn about objects and places, summarise or translate texts, user ChatGPT’s problem-solving skills identify an animal, and so much more. 

iOS 18 AND MORE

Each iPhone 16e will come equipped with the latest generation of Apple software, iOS 18. With it comes an arsenal of intelligent and convenient features. You can customise your home page and Control Centre, use text effects on Messages, and so much more. Its safety and communication features like Crash Detection and satellite messaging are also worth mentioning, keeping users safe and connected to loved ones at all times. Learn more about what iOS 18 has to offer here. 

iPHONE 16E AVAILABILITY AND PRICING

The iPhone 16e will be available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage capacities with prices starting at RM2,999. Pre-orders start on 21 February with availability beginning 28 February.

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