Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, a new entry-level smartphone that replaces the aging iPhone SE line. Starting at $599, the device brings several premium features to a more affordable price point, though it comes at a significant markup compared to the $429 iPhone SE it replaces.

The iPhone 16e sports a 6.1-inch OLED display with a notch, marking the end of the Home button era for Apple's smartphone lineup. Face ID now comes standard, replacing the Touch ID fingerprint sensor found on previous SE models. Under the hood, the device is powered by Apple's A18 chip, enabling support for the company's latest AI features like notification summaries and custom emoji generation.

Photography gets a boost with a new 48-megapixel main camera, which Apple claims offers a 2x "optical-quality" zoom option. The company has also equipped the iPhone 16e with its own 5G modem design, moving away from Qualcomm chips used in other iPhone models. Apple touts improved power efficiency from this in-house modem, claiming the iPhone 16e offers "the longest battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone model ever."

Other notable changes include the addition of an Action button in place of the traditional mute switch, and a shift to USB-C charging to comply with EU regulations. However, the iPhone 16e lacks the new Camera Control button found on higher-end iPhone 16 models launched last year.

The move to a higher starting price may raise eyebrows, especially given Apple's previous positioning of the SE line as a budget-friendly option. The $599 base model comes with 128GB of storage, with 256GB and 512GB variants priced at $699 and $899 respectively. This pricing strategy places the iPhone 16e closer to Apple's main iPhone lineup, potentially blurring the lines between its entry-level and mid-range offerings.

Apple will begin taking pre-orders for the iPhone 16e on February 21st, with availability likely to follow shortly after. The launch of this new model also marks the discontinuation of the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, further streamlining Apple's smartphone portfolio as it heads into the latter half of 2025.