iPhone 16e Is the 16e really priced that bad?

[jntdroid]

I'm referring mainly to the U.S. and UK where it's consistently $200 / £200 less than the 16. I've heard about the pricing in the EU and other countries where it's much higher and agree that's absurd.

I'm really not trying to troll here. But maybe it was just an expectation issue?

A week ago, the 128gb SE3 was selling for $479. From a cost standpoint, the 16e is an upgrade over the SE3 in every area.

A week ago, the standard 14 was selling for $599. And if you compare the two, here are the losses/gains with the 16e vs. the 14:

• Loss: Magsafe
• Loss: Ultra-wide camera / dual camera setup
• Loss: UWB chip
• Gain: Much better / newest processor
• Gain: More RAM (8gb vs 6gb)
• Gain: Much better battery life
• Gain/Loss? Action button vs. mute switch
• Gain/Loss? X65 modem in the 14 vs. the C1 Modem in the 16e
• Gain/Loss? Apple Intelligence - not a fan myself, but if it does become something useful, the 16e will be able to do it...

I keep hearing people talk about how Magsafe is cheap and easy to add, a UWB chip is cheap and easy to add, etc. etc (I'm not a fan of those being left out either). But by that logic, the fact that they left those out means they aren't actually saving much at all in cost relative to the 14. But one still expects the 16e to be cheaper than the 14 was with all of the newer stuff as well?

It's a 25% price increase over the 128gb SE3, and I don't see how one could argue that it's not 25% better. And it's priced the same as the standard 14, which given cost gains/losses above, I don't see how one could argue it shouldn't be - or at least close.

When I take all of that into account, and the fact that it was just a week ago that Apple had that pricing for the SE3 and 14, I just don't think $600 is that bad of a deal. I know this is a hot topic, and I'm really not trying to troll here. I'm a numbers guy and this is just how my brain analyzes it.

Sidenote: I know the other argument is that a used 15 Pro makes more sense if it's in the same price range. I think that's a valid argument, IF you can find a good one. But the 15 Pro isn't being sold in any official retail capacity any more, so I don't think that should factor into the discussion on how the 16e is being priced in its official retail capacity.

 

[JSRinUK]

For me, it doesn’t matter how much £599 can be “justified”. It’s about the removal of the £429 iPhone.

If not for the iPhone SE, I would never have stepped a foot in the Apple ecosystem. Back then, the iPhone SE was as much as I could afford. Today? I have an iPad Pro, Ultra 2 watch, MacBook Pro, and I’ve ordered a Mac Studio with 128GB RAM.

That one single “affordable” iPhone has netted Apple several thousands of pounds from me - more with Apple Care and other purchases.

If there had only ever been a £599 iPhone and nothing cheaper, Apple would have got nothing out of me and I’d still be using Windows and Android.

So it’s not about what the 16e is worth, it’s about the removal of an affordable iPhone from their product range.

But that’s just my gripe. I get it that others don’t see that.

 

[RRC]

For me, it doesn’t matter how much £599 can be “justified”. It’s about the removal of the £429 iPhone.

If not for the iPhone SE, I would never have stepped a foot in the Apple ecosystem. Back then, the iPhone SE was as much as I could afford. Today? I have an iPad Pro, Ultra 2 watch, MacBook Pro, and I’ve ordered a Mac Studio with 128GB RAM.

That one single “affordable” iPhone has netted Apple several thousands of pounds from me - more with Apple Care and other purchases.

If there had only ever been a £599 iPhone and nothing cheaper, Apple would have got nothing out of me and I’d still be using Windows and Android.

So it’s not about what the 16e is worth, it’s about the removal of an affordable iPhone from their product range.

But that’s just my gripe. I get it that others don’t see that.

But the £429 SE had 64GB which shouldn't even be allowed to be a starting storage option in 2025. So with that in mind, the 128GB SE was how much? Not that far off what the 16e is being sold for considering that model replaced both the SE and the 14 from the available devices so a middle ground between the two IMO is acceptable, especially since the 17 series will likely see a price increase as rumoured which would then make the "e" models going forward fall in line to the same pricing differences.

 

[jntdroid]

For me, it doesn’t matter how much £599 can be “justified”. It’s about the removal of the £429 iPhone.

If not for the iPhone SE, I would never have stepped a foot in the Apple ecosystem. Back then, the iPhone SE was as much as I could afford. Today? I have an iPad Pro, Ultra 2 watch, MacBook Pro, and I’ve ordered a Mac Studio with 128GB RAM.

That one single “affordable” iPhone has netted Apple several thousands of pounds from me - more with Apple Care and other purchases.

If there had only ever been a £599 iPhone and nothing cheaper, Apple would have got nothing out of me and I’d still be using Windows and Android.

So it’s not about what the 16e is worth, it’s about the removal of an affordable iPhone from their product range.

But that’s just my gripe. I get it that others don’t see that.

This is a valid point IMO and honestly I wish they had kept the SE3 around as the cheapest entry-point option. I guess I'm mainly speaking to those that think the 16e itself is priced too high.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I think many here are overreacting to the price, which is typical MR. I don't find the price egregious.

 

[webkit]

I find the 16e to be a pretty good entry iPhone value at $599 versus the comparatively much smaller and archaic SE3. Based on how Apple and other phone makers price phones, the increased storage (+$50) and size (+$100) over the $429 SE3 alone would bring the price to $579. For just $20 more (bringing the price to $599), you are also getting increased RAM, better camera setup, better chip, better modem, better battery, increased max brightness, super retina XDR display, Apple Intelligence, emergency SOS via satellite, roadside assistance via satellite, Messages via satellite, crash detection, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, ceramic shield, greater water resistance, etc.

I think some of the complaints are less about the 16e price and more about the lack of a sub-$500 iPhone in the lineup. I happen to think Apple, as a "premium" brand, should stay out of the low end of the market.

 

[Arctic Moose]

As @JSRinUK already touched upon, I think the issue is not value for money, but rather that the price is far too high for a truly entry-level phone.

I cannot go to apple.com and put a phone that I'd be comfortable giving my kids (or my parents for that matter) in my cart because there simply is no option for around $350.

Plastic case, LCD, iPad Air Touch ID instead of Face ID, no wireless charging and a much simpler camera would go a long way, and the haptic engine and most of the sensors could probably go too without impacting the expected users much. It is possible to cut lots of features without making it a crappy, slow and unenjoyable product.

 

[stanza.richi]

In US dollar maybe not, but in € in Italy it is: 729 for 16e 128 gb IS overpriced.

 

[1rottenapple]

I was disappointed since I wanted to but them based on perceived rumors. Guess ill buy another model perhaps this September.

 

[Paddle1]

I'm referring mainly to the U.S. and UK where it's consistently $200 / £200 less than the 16. I've heard about the pricing in the EU and other countries where it's much higher and agree that's absurd.

I'm really not trying to troll here. But maybe it was just an expectation issue?

A week ago, the 128gb SE3 was selling for $479. From a cost standpoint, the 16e is an upgrade over the SE3 in every area.

A week ago, the standard 14 was selling for $599. And if you compare the two, here are the losses/gains with the 16e vs. the 14:

• Loss: Magsafe
• Loss: Ultra-wide camera / dual camera setup
• Loss: UWB chip
• Gain: Much better / newest processor
• Gain: Twice the RAM
• Gain: Much better battery life
• Gain/Loss? Action button vs. mute switch
• Gain/Loss? X65 modem in the 14 vs. the C1 Modem in the 16e
• Gain/Loss? Apple Intelligence - not a fan myself, but if it does become something useful, the 16e will be able to do it...

I keep hearing people talk about how Magsafe is cheap and easy to add, a UWB chip is cheap and easy to add, etc. etc (I'm not a fan of those being left out either). But by that logic, the fact that they left those out means they aren't actually saving much at all in cost relative to the 14. But one still expects the 16e to be cheaper than the 14 was with all of the newer stuff as well?

It's a 25% price increase over the 128gb SE3, and I don't see how one could argue that it's not 25% better. And it's priced the same as the standard 14, which given cost gains/losses above, I don't see how one could argue it shouldn't be - or at least close.

When I take all of that into account, and the fact that it was just a week ago that Apple had that pricing for the SE3 and 14, I just don't think $600 is that bad of a deal. I know this is a hot topic, and I'm really not trying to troll here. I'm a numbers guy and this is just how my brain analyzes it.

Sidenote: I know the other argument is that a used 15 Pro makes more sense if it's in the same price range. I think that's a valid argument, IF you can find a good one. But the 15 Pro isn't being sold in any official retail capacity any more, so I don't think that should factor into the discussion on how the 16e is being priced in its official retail capacity.

One little thing off in your comparison, the 16e doesn't have twice the RAM of the 14.

 

[john g.]

I'm referring mainly to the U.S. and UK where it's consistently $200 / £200 less than the 16. I've heard about the pricing in the EU and other countries where it's much higher and agree that's absurd.

I'm really not trying to troll here. But maybe it was just an expectation issue?

A week ago, the 128gb SE3 was selling for $479. From a cost standpoint, the 16e is an upgrade over the SE3 in every area.

A week ago, the standard 14 was selling for $599. And if you compare the two, here are the losses/gains with the 16e vs. the 14:

• Loss: Magsafe
• Loss: Ultra-wide camera / dual camera setup
• Loss: UWB chip
• Gain: Much better / newest processor
• Gain: Twice the RAM
• Gain: Much better battery life
• Gain/Loss? Action button vs. mute switch
• Gain/Loss? X65 modem in the 14 vs. the C1 Modem in the 16e
• Gain/Loss? Apple Intelligence - not a fan myself, but if it does become something useful, the 16e will be able to do it...

I keep hearing people talk about how Magsafe is cheap and easy to add, a UWB chip is cheap and easy to add, etc. etc (I'm not a fan of those being left out either). But by that logic, the fact that they left those out means they aren't actually saving much at all in cost relative to the 14. But one still expects the 16e to be cheaper than the 14 was with all of the newer stuff as well?

It's a 25% price increase over the 128gb SE3, and I don't see how one could argue that it's not 25% better. And it's priced the same as the standard 14, which given cost gains/losses above, I don't see how one could argue it shouldn't be - or at least close.

When I take all of that into account, and the fact that it was just a week ago that Apple had that pricing for the SE3 and 14, I just don't think $600 is that bad of a deal. I know this is a hot topic, and I'm really not trying to troll here. I'm a numbers guy and this is just how my brain analyzes it.

Sidenote: I know the other argument is that a used 15 Pro makes more sense if it's in the same price range. I think that's a valid argument, IF you can find a good one. But the 15 Pro isn't being sold in any official retail capacity any more, so I don't think that should factor into the discussion on how the 16e is being priced in its official retail capacity.

I pretty much agree with your post, having one in my hand and I am pleased with it.
As you noted, it is quite the upgrade from the SE3.
Comparing it to a 14 that's in my family, the 16e also wins out except for the camera.
Even though it has more megapixels, the stabilization is optical and not sensor-shift.
I do notice a difference with camera shake.
Not enough to be a dealbreaker but that's the one thing that I wish it had.
I don't care so much about magsafe or the UWB chip.
Overall, I really like the 16e and I think I'm going to keep it. Thanks for the balanced post!

 

[jntdroid]

One little thing off in your comparison, the 16e doesn't have twice the RAM of the 14.

Thank you

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

For the audience it serves, it is a good value. It is comparatively cheaper than the first few generation iPhones, yet delivers massive features and value. People are just whiney.

PS - Typing this in my iPhone 15 Pro Max. The SE’s and now 16e are not for me. But they have their place.

 

[brofkand]

It dramatically raised the price of entry into the iOS ecosystem. Which is a bad thing.

Overall it's not a bad phone. It definitely broke with the "we don't build products to meet a price point" that Steve used to preach. But then nothing about Steve's Apple is still here anyway, it's a totally different company today.

 

[1rottenapple]

I saw one at the store and I have to say, the small things that add up such as camera thickness is nice! I approve. I hope this trickles down to the main line up.

 

[webkit]

In US dollar maybe not, but in € in Italy it is: 729 for 16e 128 gb IS overpriced.

Although the USD has weakened (or the euro has strengthened) a bit in the past week or so, the Italy price converted to USD is still fairly similar to the U.S. price.

The pre-VAT starting price in Italy is €591 which is currently around $640 USD (it was $614 USD a week ago) compared to pre-sales tax price of $599 for same phone in the U.S. Slightly higher but don't phones in the EU get additional warranty coverage? That could account for some of the price difference.

However, it is Italy's (and other European countries') high VAT that is responsible for much of the price differences. I hope you and/or your fellow citizens are at least able to get decent benefits from it.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

As @JSRinUK already touched upon, I think the issue is not value for money, but rather that the price is far too high for a truly entry-level phone.

I cannot go to apple.com and put a phone that I'd be comfortable giving my kids (or my parents for that matter) in my cart because there simply is no option for around $350.

Plastic case, LCD, iPad Air Touch ID instead of Face ID, no wireless charging and a much simpler camera would go a long way, and the haptic engine and most of the sensors could probably go too without impacting the expected users much. It is possible to cut lots of features without making it a crappy, slow and unenjoyable product.

The problem is that all of those things have to be developed, which costs money.
People think it’s just as simple as swapping out the back glass for plastic and using the same iPad Touch ID buttons… but it’s not.
A completely new plastic design has to be developed, tested, if any internal changes need to be made that’s more development, completely new assembly lines have to be created for this new plastic phone.
Which brings us to the LCD, Apple doesn’t currently make a phone with an LCD so they’d have to either go back to the 750P displays of the XR and 11 (and at this point those assembly lines have been probably shut down for several years) or develop a completely new LCD with a completely new higher resolution, and that costs money.
We have seen all of this before, the iPhone 5C was exactly this…
And it’s biggest problem? The price. It was a very expensive phone, even with its plastic case and several colors, because those things had to be developed.
Sure, on a two year contract it was affordable, but off contract it was $549 for 16GB or $649 for 32, and the basically better in every single way 5S was only $100 more.

With the financial climate we are currently in, on top of all of the development that would need to be done for a plastic LCD new iPhone in the end it would probably end up at the same $599 as the 16e.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

It dramatically raised the price of entry into the iOS ecosystem. Which is a bad thing.

No, it dramatically raised the price of entry of an iPhone. Not the Apple ecosystem.
Sure, you said iOS, but even then I’m not counting differences between iOS and iPadOS, they are basically the same just for different form factors.
And the iPad 11 still starts at $349, with double the storage in fact.
Even the iPad mini could be found now at Best Buy very frequently for $399.
And if we are talking the Mac well… Prices have literally never been better.
M4 Mini for $499 on the education store, the M4 MacBook Air for $899.
You can even get older Mac Mini’s for like $300 now refurbished

 

[brofkand]

No, it dramatically raised the price of entry of an iPhone. Not the Apple ecosystem.
Sure, you said iOS, but even then I’m not counting differences between iOS and iPadOS, they are basically the same just for different form factors.
And the iPad 11 still starts at $349, with double the storage in fact.
Even the iPad mini could be found now at Best Buy very frequently for $399.
And if we are talking the Mac well… Prices have literally never been better.
M4 Mini for $499 on the education store, the M4 MacBook Air for $899.
You can even get older Mac Mini’s for like $300 now refurbished

And yet none of those devices run iOS. Reading is fundamental.

 

[Fyrus]

The 16e just makes it painfully obvious how overpriced Apple’s latest phones are compared to the current market.

I mean even the biggest Apple loving tech Youtubers are pointing out how the latest cheap Nothing Phone is nearly half the price of the 16e and offering a lot for that price.

Apple doesn’t really know what to do with the iPhone to justify it’s high price: Action button, Dynamic Island and that New Camera control button are desperate attempts to make the iPhone stand out. While for most they don’t add anything meaningfull to the iPhone experience.

About the EU pricing, just ordered an iPhone 16 on contract way cheaper than the 16e is available right now, the difference between these 2 models in pricing is simply nearly non existend at this moment.

and finally theres just the point of the iPhone 16e missing features the nearly 5 year old iPhone 12 does have. It’s absurd to me how that’s even a thing.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

And yet none of those devices run iOS. Reading is fundamental.

The iPad runs iOS, saying it doesn’t is only really true when it comes to the marketing name.
When it comes to everything else, including the version number, iOS and iPadOS are always the same.
In fact, internally, Apple doesn’t even call it iOS, they call it iPhoneOS.

 

[brofkand]

The iPad runs iOS, saying it doesn’t is only really true when it comes to the marketing name.
When it comes to everything else, including the version number, iOS and iPadOS are always the same.

Final reply. Where's the Phone app on your iPad? Isn't it the same as iOS? Surely there's a Phone app then. Where's the stylus support on iOS? Isn't it the same as iPadOS?

 

[Philip1]

To follow @Arctic Moose, most of the market is for phones that capably make calls, send messages, access banking etc apps, take casual snaps and, for youngsters and politicians, do social media, for which there's plenty of choice SIM-free for under £100. Much of that market would also like to have the Apple ease of use/ecosystem but £500 extra up-front is a steep premium.

On other other hand with a handset-included 2-year contract the 16e vs. SE3 would be £25 vs £18/mo on top of the data. My guess is that Apple's analysis showed that networks are very good at making that type of increase appear smaller, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

 

[ab2c4]

In the US I think it is priced just fine for what you get.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Final reply. Where's the Phone app on your iPad? Isn't it the same as iOS? Surely there's a Phone app then. Where's the stylus support on iOS? Isn't it the same as iPadOS?

Ridiculous argument, I could also ask “where is the Proraw option on your 16e”?
Also, Apple Pencil support isn’t software. It’s partially software, but it’s hardware as well.
As for the phone app, you are just being uselessly pedantic.
As I said, Apple doesn’t even call the operating system that runs on the iPhone “iOS” internally, so literally the only actual difference between iOS and iPadOS other than the form factor differences is… The marketing name.
If you purchase an iPad, it’s still the iOS experience. Just ask a Mac fan boy why they can’t use one, they’ll tell you. They will absolutely tell you, and they will not stop telling you.