Apple has announced its latest iPhone 16e model, which is set to be the smaller, less expensive smartphone in the range to replace the 2022 iPhone SE - the last remaining model with a home button.
The new phone will go on sale on 28 February and comes in black and white, with pricing starting at A$999 (US$599).
After 18 years, Apple has officially discontinued the home button from its range, instead, the new iPhone 16e uses Apple’s FaceID scanner and sensor notch at the top of the screen.
Apple said in a statement that the 16e utilises many of the unique features from the main range of iPhone 16 models, with the exception of a few features to provide a similar product for a much lower cost “[bringing] the iPhone experience to even more people.”
The new low-cost iPhone comes as sales have been mixed in recent quarters, as the company seeks growth for its most important product category.
In the last quarter, Apple’s overall iPhone sales were down 1% on an annual basis, while the company still sold more than US$69 billion of phones in the period alone.
“iPhone 16e packs in the features our users love about the iPhone 16 lineup, including breakthrough battery life, fast performance powered by the latest-generation A18 chip, an innovative 2-in-1 camera system, and Apple Intelligence,” said Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing, Kaiann Drance.
A key feature of Apple’s latest iPhones is the introduction of Apple intelligence which the company says has been designed to assist in communication, productivity and creativity.
Apple says its AI model is a step forward for privacy in AI and is designed to protect users’ privacy with on-device processing, meaning that many of the models that power Apple Intelligence are not run externally.
The tech giant is joining competitors like Google's Pixel 8A and Samsung's Galaxy S24 FE which cost less and both pack AI-powered tools, along with various other lower-priced Android phones.
Apple joins the competition with its supercharged, budget-friendly device only helps to expand AI's approachability and attainability.
A report from CNET said that the iPhone 16E stands apart from its more expensive counterparts as Apple’s focus is now on delivering a solid baseline product, as Apple Intelligence becomes a core component of the iPhone, whether you're spending $1000 or $2000.
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