Apple has officially introduced the iPhone 16e, marking a significant upgrade over the previous iPhone SE model. While the device retains a familiar design, it brings several hardware improvements, including 8GB of RAM, an A18 chip with a binned GPU, Apple’s first in-house C1 5G modem, and enhanced battery life.
Apple never publicly discloses the amount of RAM in its iPhones, but it has been confirmed that the iPhone 16e is equipped with 8GB of RAM. MacRumors verified this detail using Apple’s developer tool Xcode. The RAM upgrade is essential for supporting Apple Intelligence, as 8GB is the minimum memory requirement for the new AI-powered features. This is a notable improvement over the previous iPhone SE model, which had only 4GB of RAM. The upgrade brings the iPhone 16e in line with the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup, including the standard and Pro models, all of which also feature 8GB of RAM.
While the iPhone 16e shares the same A18 chip as the iPhone 16, Apple has opted for a binned version of the chipset with a reduced 4-core GPU, compared to the iPhone 16’s 5-core GPU and the iPhone 16 Pro’s 6-core GPU. Binned chips typically have deactivated cores that were deemed faulty during production but are still functional and efficient. For everyday tasks, the reduced GPU core count is unlikely to cause a noticeable difference. However, users who engage in gaming or intensive tasks like video editing may see a minor dip in performance compared to the standard iPhone 16. Despite this, Apple’s optimizations ensure smooth overall performance, and with 8GB of RAM, the device offers solid multitasking capabilities.
The iPhone 16e brings a significant display upgrade, featuring a 6.1-inch OLED panel with a 60Hz refresh rate. Unlike the iPhone SE, which used Gorilla Glass, the iPhone 16e’s screen is protected by Apple’s Ceramic Shield, offering better durability. Apple has also introduced the customizable Action button, previously exclusive to the Pro models, allowing users to trigger shortcuts, launch apps, or activate system functions with a press. In the camera department, the iPhone 16e now features a 48MP wide-angle main sensor, a major leap from the iPhone SE’s 12MP camera. The device also boasts an IP68 rating, making it more resistant to dust and water damage.
One of the standout additions is the Apple-designed C1 modem for 5G connectivity. This is the company’s first in-house modem, replacing Qualcomm’s modems in select models. Apple’s C1 modem is expected to offer improved power efficiency and optimized performance. In certain regions, it also enables satellite communication features, such as Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, and Messages via satellite.
The iPhone 16e starts at $599 for the base model with 128GB of storage, offering more capacity than the previous iPhone SE, which started at 64GB. Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e begin on February 21 at 5 a.m. PT, with official availability starting on February 28 in 59 countries and regions.
