The iPhone 16e is a crucial experiment for Apple

The iPhone 16e represents a huge change from the third-gen iPhone SE it replaces. A modern design, OLED screen, Face ID, latest(ish) A18 chip, Apple Intelligence, 48MP camera sensor, 26-hour battery, USB-C, C1 modem, and more. But there’s one other huge difference, and it’s this one which I think makes the latest entry-level iPhone a crucial experiment for the Cupertino company … The price tag. The iPhone SE 3 started at $429, while the iPhone 16e starts at $599. Of course, you’re getting a lot more phone for your money, and it’s entirely possible to make the case that the latest model represents better value. But what’s notable is that Apple didn’t add the iPhone 16e to the line-up; it replaced the budget model altogether. There’s no iPhone SE 4 as such, and the 3rd-gen model is no longer on the company’s website. Right now, if you want to buy a brand new iPhone direct from Apple, $599 is the new starting price. $600 is a lot of money when compared to an awful lot of mid-range A ... Read full article.