Apple unveils new low-cost iPhone 16e

The phone is groundbreaking in one way that users might not notice: It has an in-house cellular modem chip called the C1 that replaces a component from Qualcomm. The device kicks off a broader transition away from Qualcomm, a longtime supplier. Apple plans to bring its own modem to the skinnier iPhone planned for this year, and the part will go into Pro models in 2026, Bloomberg News has reported.

The new modem doesn’t include mmWave technology, a type of 5G connection that allows for much faster downloads in some major metropolitan areas. But it should help improve battery life compared with previous lower-end models. The company says the 16e has up to 26 hours of video playback, compared with only 15 hours on the third-generation iPhone SE.

The device comes in options with 128, 256 and 512 gigabytes of storage, as well as white and black colours. Bloomberg News first reported earlier this month that the product was imminent and earlier wrote about its features. The 256 gigabyte version is priced at $1199, while the top-end model will cost $1549. That makes it nearly the same price as an entry-level iPhone 16 Pro.

The USB-C charging standard allows Apple to sell the device in the EU again. Rules in that region require device makers to use that kind of port, and the prior iPhone SE had a Lightning connector.

The new hardware specifications also can support Apple Intelligence, and the company is making that technology central to its marketing pitch. But Apple’s AI tools have been slow to catch on with consumers. New writing features and capabilities like Genmoji — custom AI-created emoji — haven’t inspired as many iPhone upgrades as anticipated.

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The new iPhone 16e includes a customisable Action button like recent high-end models, as well as the ability to connect to satellite networks for off-the-grid texting and accessing emergency services.

The California-based company is planning a software update in April that will bring Apple Intelligence to more countries and add support for additional languages. It’s also racing to bring Apple Intelligence to China, Bloomberg News reported last week.

Apple is looking to introduce new iPads and Macs in the coming months as well, including a MacBook Air with an M4 chip. And in addition to the iPhone overhaul later in the year, the company will debut a new Apple Watch Ultra 3 with off-the-grid satellite capabilities.