Apple Launches New iPhone 16e with AI Features at a Lower Price

Apple has produced a new, lower-cost model of its iPhone, the iPhone 16e. The phone is designed to offer some of the enhanced features in more expensive iPhones, including artificial intelligence (AI) software that summarizes text and audio, generates emojis, and improves the Siri assistant. The iPhone 16e also boasts an improved camera and more battery life than earlier models.

Unlike the previous low-cost iPhones like the iPhone SE, the 16e has a larger 6.1-inch display and utilizes facial recognition to unlock the phone, similar to the more expensive iPhones. In spite of the eagerness of Apple to integrate AI technology on its products, it has not been fully utilized yet in some nations like the U.S. and China.

All those upgrades will translate into a higher starting price for an iPhone 16e at $600, a 40% increase from $430 for the last iPhone SE. But iPhone 16e will be more affordable than the cheapest standard iPhone 16 at $800. The new phone will be available in stores Feb. 28, but can be pre-ordered beginning Friday.

Apple is looking to put the iPhone in more hands but in a manner that still makes the high-end versions appealing. Apple stock increased slightly after the announcement, but the company’s stock value remains below its December high.