Hey, it’s the Panoply Picks crew! Apple just pulled a fast one on us this morning—February 19, 2025—and surprise-dropped the iPhone 16e. It starts at $599, which is a bump from the SE’s old $429 price, but from what we’re seeing so far, it might actually be worth it. We haven’t gotten our hands on one yet (it literally just launched), but we’re already hyped. Here’s what’s caught our attention.
A Fresh Look
Gone are the old-school bezels and that home button. Instead, the iPhone 16e has a sleek 6.06-inch OLED display with a notch for Face ID. It comes in black or white, and honestly, it’s giving serious iPhone 14 energy. Just from the pictures, it looks like it belongs in 2025. We can’t wait to check it out in person.
A Serious Display Upgrade
This is a big one. Apple ditched the SE’s tiny 4.7-inch LCD and went full OLED. That means richer colors, deeper blacks, and an overall better viewing experience. No Dynamic Island here—just a classic notch—but at this price point, we’re not complaining. We’re already picturing how crisp videos and apps will look when we finally get to test it.
Flagship-Level Performance
Here’s the wild part—it’s got the same A18 chip as the iPhone 16. That’s a powerhouse move for a “budget” phone. Whether you’re gaming, multitasking, or messing around with Apple’s new AI features, this thing should fly. Plus, it starts with 128GB of storage—double what the SE offered. Plenty of space for photos, apps, and whatever else we throw at it.
A Surprisingly Capable Camera
It’s just got one rear camera, but don’t let that fool you—it’s a 48-megapixel shooter, which is a massive step up from the SE’s old 12MP lens. Early samples floating around online look sharp, especially in low light. The front-facing camera is 12MP, which should be solid for selfies and video calls. No fancy multi-lens setup here, but we’re excited to see how well it holds up.
Battery That Might Actually Last
Battery life is looking like a sleeper hit. Apple says it outlasts the iPhone 11 by six hours and the 2022 SE by twelve. That’s huge. The A18 chip plus the new C1 modem (yep, 5G-ready) seem to be the secret sauce here. And yes, it’s got USB-C charging—finally. No MagSafe, just 7.5W wireless charging, but for all-day battery life? We’ll take it.
Final Thoughts—For Now
So far, the iPhone 16e sounds like a win. Face ID, a slick OLED display, and a solid camera—all for $599? Not bad. If you’re looking for a full-on flagship experience, check out our iPhone 16 review, but if you want a premium feel without the premium price tag, this might be the one. We’ll drop our full review once we get our hands on it. Stay tuned!
While we’re waiting to test the iPhone 16e, why not grab one of the iPhone 16e cases already out on Amazon? They’re ready to roll for this new phone!
Disclosure
- Compatibility: only for iPhone 16e ; full functionality maintained via precise speaker and port cutouts and easy-press b…
- Stronger Magnetic Lock: powerful built-in magnets with 1,500 g of holding force enable faster, easier place-and-go wirel…
- Military-Grade Drop Protection: rigorously tested to ensure total protection on all sides, with specially designed Air G…
- Compatibility: Designed exclusively for the iPhone 16e, ensuring seamless functionality with precise cutouts for speaker…
- Military-Grade Protection: rigorously tested to ensure 7x total protection on all sides, with high-quality silicone that…
- Stronger Magnetic Lock: powerful array of magnets for a 1,500 g grip, enabling faster, easier wireless charging and a se…
![Temdan for iPhone 16e Case, [Compatible with Magsafe][Anti-Yellow...](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41c02dVGC2L.jpg)
- [Compatibility] Transparent Power Magnetic Attachment only works with iPhone 16E 6.1-inch model.
- [Slim and lightweight] The case is designed to be slim and lightweight, adding minimal bulk to your phone while still of…
- [Strong Magnetic] It is compatible with MagSafe and other wireless chargers, with strong built-in magnets for a secure f…
- Super magnetic charging: This iPhone 16E case has a built-in strong magnet that fits magnetic chargers and other Qi wire…
- Perfect Fit: This clear case is designed for iPhone 16E (6.1 inches), please carefully confirm your phone model before p…
- Yellow Resistance: This transparent iPhone 16E case is made of high-quality Bayer clear hybrid material, allowing it to …
![MOZOTER for iPhone 16E Case Clear 2025 Released,[Non-Slip] Shockp...](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/412UxGiofML.jpg)
- 【Compatiblity】MOZOTER clear case is only compatible with iPhone 16E (2025 new released),not compatible with other models…
- 【Crystal Clear & Anti-Yellowing】Ultra transparent and scratch-resistant back is easy to show the beautiful design and lo…
- 【Screen & Camera Guard】MOZOTER case for iPhone 16E phone case provides 1.5 mm Camera Lips and 1.5 mm Screen Lips, which …
- 【Compatibility】Compatible with iPhone 16E (SE4) for safe and fast wireless charging.
- 【Strong Magnetism】The built-in powerful N52SH magnet has 2400GS of attraction and attaches securely to magnetic accessor…
- 【Translucent Matte Back】The iPhone 16E (SE4) 2025 phone case back is coated with frosted material,comfortable in hand an…
