Really think they needed to hit 500 starting MSRP not 600 starting MSRP as a budget phone target. I do not think this will sell as well as some think because of that 100 dollar difference.
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iPhone 16e Why does Apple think anyone will buy the iPhone 16e?
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Yeah I know what you mean - the plain 16 is only a bit more expensive with a er month charge than the 16e.
But if you want to buy a phone outright it kinda mirrors apple’s ‘for just $100 more you could get … and so on’ strategy.
I suspect that the 16e is more of a long term play and we’ll see sweeter deals in time.
I am sure some users have been relying on MagSafe for charging or attaching accessories since its introduction in 2020, and they may see its absence as a drawback. However, if its not needed then this is an ok phone and those that want the extra features can buy a better or older model etc. The same thing applies to a users with varying camera needs.
Those AT&T "deals" require a trade-in. The $215.64 price I mentioned doesn't require any trade-in.
At all? Not every carrier requires 36 months but you find having to stick with a carrier an extra 12 months that bad? I think most people stick with the same carrier at least that long. How often do you normally switch carriers?
I have a four year old iPhone 12 mini and the battery is dying again. I replaced the battery two years ago and now I have the choice to replace the battery again for 100 Euros or buy a new iPhone 16 for 950 Euros. I will never ever pay this much for a phone, especially with all those feature that I never used like the macro camera, 3D recording, magsafe charging and whatever.
So for me the 16e for 699 is perfect. Same great screen as my 12 mini, but faster CPU, more storage, better camera, double the battery capacity, AI support some day... I don't need more.
I guess for people upgrading from a X, 12 or even the 13 the 16e is perfect if you don't want to pay almost as much as a MacBook Air. And if you wait for the Amazon Spring Offers you may even pay less than the 699 Euros.
It’s not really free, because mobile plans would be cheaper if they didn’t need to subsidize smartphones. Do you think Apple is supplying the carriers with gratis 16es?
Not all the deals require trade-in.
The problem with AT&T is the phone is network locked until it's paid off. Three years is a pretty long time and I'm going to need the phone unlocked by December for overseas travel.
Verizon's not so bad since they unlock in 60 days. Alas, their deals usually require new line. It's pretty much free to get either 16 or 16e with new line (with either no trade in or any iPhone trade in) so might as well go for the 16 unless the camera bump is really bothersome.
Like I mentioned earlier, I'm waiting to see if I can get the 16e for a good discount on a prepaid deal with enough time to unlock prior to our trip. Otherwise, I'd rather get an unlocked 16 or 17 on Apple monthly installment.
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Not all AT&T deals require trade-in but you were specifically talking about "iPhone 16 and 16 Pro for $0-10/mo with the same 36 months bill credit/lock in on AT&T." I am only seeing AT&T 16 and 16 Pro offers that have "with eligible trade-in" requirement tied to them.
The 16e price I quoted didn't require a trade. Where can I get a 16 Pro for $0-$10/month from AT&T that also doesn't require a trade?
This. I left AT&T years ago to go with Cricket (AT&T network) and have saved tons of money. It really depends on your situation, number of lines, etc. but people thinking they’re getting free phone is hilarious.
At least for me the price (€709) is the only downside, but hopefully down the road the prices will drop.
Yes, which is twice the price of the 16e without trade. However, my last question was about the 16 Pro.
You had previously said $215.64 for the 16e "didn't seem worth it" because you can get the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro for $0-10/month with the same 36 months bill credit/lock in on AT&T. How is that comparable when the 16e deal doesn’t require a trade and I assume the 16 and 16 Pro for $0-$10/month deals do? You never answered that question. Don't the 16 and 16 Pro (not talking about the 16 Plus) deals from AT&T require a trade??
The 16 Pro does require trade-in. I have an iPhone 12 I can get rid of anyway so for me, they're the same price.
For my situation, I need unlocked so even the 16 Pro at ~$200 with monthly bill credit doesn't really interest me. The current 16e deals just aren't attractive enough for me. 🤷♀️
For my situation, I need unlocked so even the 16 Pro at ~$200 with monthly bill credit doesn't really interest me. The current 16e deals just aren't attractive enough for me. 🤷♀️
I am upgrading from the 13 to the 16e. I will be trading in my old phone for it.
All of the hate for the 16e is from people that don't want it, but also lack the ability to view the device from someone else's perspective.
I know it's not for me, but I can easily see why other people will want it. If nothing else, it's the new SE offering when there hasn't been one in a couple of years. Plenty of people have signed up for that line of phones and will buy this one without thinking about any of the details that are being stewed over in these threads.
I know it's not for me, but I can easily see why other people will want it. If nothing else, it's the new SE offering when there hasn't been one in a couple of years. Plenty of people have signed up for that line of phones and will buy this one without thinking about any of the details that are being stewed over in these threads.
T-mobile giving $500 trade in my old iPhone 13 for the 16e. Just ordered one at Sams club for my nephews birthday. It's -$500(% off every month for 2 years) + Sams gave me a $75 gift card for upgrading.
Nephew is 10 will be getting it for his 11th birthday
Nephew is 10 will be getting it for his 11th birthday
I’ll be paying the same monthly fee whether I upgrade or not, so yes, it’s free in exchange for me keeping my plan for another 24 months.
If people bought based on "good enough" they would buy iPhone 14 for $599 or iPhone 15 for $699.
People don't buy based on "good enough" because they want the best camera system and the largest display they can afford.
16e customers will be very similar to SE2/SE3 owners. Those who can't afford the better models and those who don't care enough about camera quality. Also mid-range Android switchers who want to try iPhone.
iPhone SE2 owner checking in.
I wanted two fundamental things out of the iPhone 16e: USB-C + Touch ID (either like the iPad Air's sleep/wake button or traditional Home Button config or something novel like Android's in-screen placement).
MagSafe would've been a nice-to-have bonus, but not a dealbreaker.
Disappointed that in 2025 an iPhone with Touch ID + USB-C doesn't exist and won't exist.
I reject Face ID as a good authentication solution when Touch ID exists. Touch ID by itself would've likely lowered the price of the 16e too.
For me, the appeal of SE is not about price or budget. I truly dislike Face ID and argue it's among Apple's worst-ever innovations. If you love Face ID, good for you, but we should have a choice. In a platform duopoly environment, Apple should recognize their power and offer a choice. Touch ID happily exists across other Apple devices, and I find it strange the iPhone has been removed from the list.
Now, Apple won't get my money and I'm thinking about riding SE2 as long as possible to maintain my deep Apple ecosystem integration, while dualing an Android phone on the side, a first for me.
I wanted two fundamental things out of the iPhone 16e: USB-C + Touch ID (either like the iPad Air's sleep/wake button or traditional Home Button config or something novel like Android's in-screen placement).
MagSafe would've been a nice-to-have bonus, but not a dealbreaker.
Disappointed that in 2025 an iPhone with Touch ID + USB-C doesn't exist and won't exist.
I reject Face ID as a good authentication solution when Touch ID exists. Touch ID by itself would've likely lowered the price of the 16e too.
For me, the appeal of SE is not about price or budget. I truly dislike Face ID and argue it's among Apple's worst-ever innovations. If you love Face ID, good for you, but we should have a choice. In a platform duopoly environment, Apple should recognize their power and offer a choice. Touch ID happily exists across other Apple devices, and I find it strange the iPhone has been removed from the list.
Now, Apple won't get my money and I'm thinking about riding SE2 as long as possible to maintain my deep Apple ecosystem integration, while dualing an Android phone on the side, a first for me.
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I don't hate the 16e per se. What I dislike is the MSRP.
I just found it for $360 ($300 phone + $60 1-month service, 60 day unlock) so I'm buying one now to replace my mom's SE3 which needs to be charged 3 times a day.
