Latest news with #16e
India Today
a day ago
- Business
- India Today
iPhone 16e can be yours for around Rs 35,000, but there's a catch
The iPhone 16e is a great option for anyone looking to enter Apple's ecosystem at a relatively affordable price. Launched at a starting price of Rs 59,900, the iPhone 16e is still quite new — just about five months old. Despite that, we've already seen some great deals on Apple's most budget-friendly iPhone. But the current offer is probably the best yet. If you take into account the listed price, ongoing bank offers and exchange discounts, the iPhone 16e can effectively be bought for as low as Rs 35,725. Here's how it 16e available for around Rs 35,000 on AmazonTo get the best deal, head over to Amazon. The phone is currently available with a flat discount of Rs 6,300, which brings the price of the 128GB version down to Rs 53,600. On top of that, using select bank cards — SBI or ICICI credit cards (excluding Amazon Pay) — gets you an additional Rs 4,000 instant discount, making the effective price Rs 49, is also offering an exchange bonus of up to Rs 49,100 on your old smartphone. So if you're looking to upgrade from your current device, now could be the perfect time. For example, exchanging an old iPhone 11 brings an additional discount of Rs 13,875. That means the iPhone 16e could be yours for just Rs 35,725. Even trading in an iPhone SE 3 gives you a Rs 12,100 reduction, bringing the final price to Rs 37,500 — a great deal for a device that only launched a few months course, the final exchange value depends on your phone's condition and model. To check the trade-in value, visit Amazon, select your preferred iPhone 16e model, and enter the details of your old phone. If your device qualifies for a high exchange rate, you could land a very good deal on Apple's latest entry-level should you buy it?Even without the exchange offer, using the bank discount alone gets you the iPhone 16e for Rs 49,600. That makes it a sensible choice for anyone looking to buy an iPhone for under Rs 50,000. Yes, spending a bit more will get you the regular iPhone 16, which is technically better — but if you're on a strict budget, the 16e gives you excellent in mind that the iPhone 16e skips a couple of features — there's no MagSafe support and no ultra-wide-angle camera. But in return, you get a bright OLED display, the Action Button, Apple's custom C1 modem, the high-end A18 chip, 8GB RAM, and Apple Intelligence support. For the price, it delivers quite a recap, the iPhone 16e launched globally on February 19 this year. Pre-orders began on February 21, with open sales starting on February 28.- Ends
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Morning After: Our verdict on the iPhone 16e
First up, an apology. In Tuesday's newsletter, I laid out how to watch (and what to expect from) Amazon's Alexa press event. But aside from unveiling what Alexa+ will be capable of, there was no silly hardware and no upgraded Echos, but lots of demos. We learned Alexa+ will be included with an Amazon Prime subscription, and the company will also offer the enhanced digital assistant separately, for $20 per month. At the moment, Prime costs $15 per month in the US. So that's weird. Meanwhile, Apple's new entry-level iPhone, the 16e, launches online and in stores today. The $599 phone is arguably $100 too expensive, but it packs a processor that can deliver Apple Intelligence to the masses. It has a gorgeous screen, with a notch — if not a Dynamic Island — and a long battery life. Thanks to that A18 chip, it is as powerful as iPhones, which cost several hundred dollars more. This is a phone for people who don't upgrade every year (or two). If you're coming from an older iPhone, say an iPhone 11 (like my mom), you'll be treated to a brighter screen, improved image processing and, heck, 5G. Apple says the newer process will ensure the 16e is 80 percent faster than the iPhone 11. You are going to see the difference. Oh, and you get an action button. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Our biggest concern is the single-camera situation. It's a great camera, but we already miss the versatility of optical zoom that goes beyond the digital cropping that the iPhone 16e uses. Check out our full review right here. And if you're OK not staying with an iPhone, we're moving into the mid-range smartphone season — so stay tuned. — Mat Smith How to get MagSafe charging on an iPhone 16e A $599 iPhone 16e is a cruel joke The biggest tech stories you missed Everything announced at Amazon's Alexa+ AI event EA releases source code for four Command & Conquer games The best laptop you can buy in 2025 Gmail will stop using SMS for two-factor authentication Get this delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe right here! The world's biggest smartphone event (after iPhone launches, let's be real) returns to Barcelona. While it's no longer the heyday of Mobile World Congress, smartphone challengers from China love to reveal technically accomplished devices, and we're expecting delights from the likes of Xiaomi, Honor, Huawei et al. Except maybe not Oppo — it's done its thing already. At MWC 2022, Nothing's Carl Pei showed off a prototype of the company's first handset, the Nothing Phone 1. It looks like it's ready to reveal its third-gen phone, with the company's usual drip-drip of specs, features and hyperbole already in action. Nothing already revealed the design of one phone, the 3a Pro, in a nearly 11-minute video. Notably, a big ole camera bump to accommodate a periscope telephoto lens. Xiaomi is also teasing some heady camera hardware: Its 15 Ultra will be a photography powerhouse, rumored to pack a 1-inch main sensor and 200-megapixel periscope telephoto lens. Will Samsung show off the slimline Galaxy S25 Edge? Perhaps. It might also be time to reveal an update to its A-series mid-range devices. Perhaps the company will do both. Continue reading. Sony is permanently reducing the price of the PlayStation VR2. Starting in March, the headset will cost $400, down from $500. It still costs more than the Meta Quest 3S, a standalone headset, but is obviously capable of a richer graphic experience. That said, where are the AAA games? Even Sony's own PS VR2 website struggles to offer anything particularly exciting. Continue reading. I have misplaced my Beats Fit Pro buds. Wherever I set them down, I recall thinking, 'you're going to regret not putting them back into the charging case.' And I was right. Two weeks on, I have the charging case, open and ready, but the buds have been translocated to another dimension. I tried Apple's Find My app, which says they're somewhere in my apartment. That doesn't help me enough. I use them for workouts, so I checked jacket pockets, gym shorts, the bathroom, windows, the sides of my couch and even my inner ear canal. But no. I have held out hope for two weeks, but it's time for me to let go. Fortunately, I work here, so I have three standby options for gym listening. But they didn't fit as well as the Beats Fit Pro. I will hold onto the charging case, just in case they magically appear in my detergent box or somewhere else completely arbitrary, but mentally, I know I will never find them again. Goodbye, my waxy, sweaty buds of joy.
USA Today
27-02-2025
- USA Today
iPhone 16e review: I used Apple's newest phone for a week. Here's how it compares.
iPhone 16e review: I used Apple's newest phone for a week. Here's how it compares. Show Caption Hide Caption Apple announces iPhone 16e, with AI features at lower cost Apple has announced the iPhone 16e, a more affordable model featuring AI capabilities and the same A18 chip as the flagship iPhone 16. unbranded - Newsworthy Apple's new iPhone 16e arrived on my doorstep at a critical time in our personal tech world. Prices are higher, consumer demand is lower, and all the 'incremental improvements' companies are pushing to get us to dole out the equivalent of a mortgage payment for the next new thing are, well, quite frankly boring. Especially compared to all the novel breakthroughs of just a few years ago. That's what I'm thinking about when I unbox Apple's latest new smartphone, the lower-priced 'entry' level iPhone 16e. I've had it for a full week now, and overall, it's a genuinely snazzy successor to the 3rd generation iPhone SE that Apple launched in March of 2022. Going from the SE to the 16e is a big step up in all the ways that matter the most: At first glance, it's hard to tell much of a difference between the 16e and the rest of the iPhone 16 family of phones. Gone is the ancient home button of the SE, replaced by Face ID and a 6.1-inch OLED display that brings Apple's entry-level phone into the modern age. The A18 chip inside has the same horsepower as its pricier iPhone 16 sibling, but Apple had to cut a few corners to get there − no MagSafe, no ultra-wide camera, and just two color options − hope you like black or white! Battery life is a half-day (or more) better. (Apple says 26-hours of video playback.) The camera specs are a big leap forward from the last SE. The 16e now offers the big 'Apple Intelligence' (AI) tricks (although many people who currently have newer iPhones don't know how to use most of them yet). So, is the 16e a good deal, or should you buy an iPhone 16? After spending the last week using it, here's what I've found. Since when is $600 considered a 'budget' phone? At a starting price of $599 (can we just say $600 already?!), this is not a 'budget' phone. It's $170 more than the one it replaces. That's led some insiders to speculate that Apple's done trying to offer an 'affordable' phone and will now focus on a slightly downscaled model of its current flagship lineup instead. The 16e is $200 less than the lowest price 16, but it used to be a $400 difference. It begs the question: If you're already paying $600 for a phone, why not pay the additional $200 − especially if that comes down to $8 on a two-year installment plan − and get the whole enchilada? The 16e is a good enough phone, but is it good enough value? iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 16: Key features and differences for Apple's latest smartphones It's not MagSafe compatible The 16e does not support MagSafe accessories. I didn't realize how big of a bummer this would be until I watched it slide off the dashboard holder in my car. You can still charge it wirelessly, but only with the older, slower Qi way of doing things, and it's noticeably slower to charge up than my iPhone 16 Pro. Just remember, it won't stick to anything without the help of a third-party MagSafe case like the ESR for iPhone 16e case ($12.57) on Amazon or another attachment like PopSocket's Adaptor Rings ($35+). There's only one camera The new camera specs on the 16e are significantly better than those on the last SE, but there's still just one lens peeping out the back of the device. Apple calls the upgraded 48-megapixel camera a "2-in-1 Fusion Camera." That's fancy branding for how the phone uses one high-resolution sensor to simulate multiple focal lengths. Still, it's not a complete replacement for the triple-camera systems found on the iPhone 16 Pro models. The 16e's primary 48MP sensor captures high-quality standard shots, but the selfies aren't as good as the ones I shoot on my 16 Pro. Also, instead of a dedicated telephoto lens, the camera digitally crops into the 48MP sensor to create an optical-quality 2x zoom, effectively giving you a second focal length without adding a physical lens. In other words, Apple uses high-resolution sensor cropping to simulate a telephoto lens while maintaining detail, which is a smart way to offer zoom without adding extra hardware. But can one camera work the same iPhonography-magic as the higher-end models? No. Not without the ultra-wide lens and a dedicated telephoto zoom lens beyond 2x, which you get on the Pro models. If you mostly shoot at 1x or 2x, the 16e's camera will feel just as capable. But for true photography enthusiasts, the extra lenses on the Pro models make a giant difference. Is the 16e the right new phone for you? OK, back to the pros: The iPhone 16e bridges the gap between the classic simplicity of the iPhone SE and the modern aesthetic and performance of the flagship iPhone 16 models. Its updated design offers a smooth transition into today's smartphone standards and Apple's ecosystem without a giant learning curve or an even bigger budget-blowing price tag. The aluminum build feels sturdy, and while the black-and-white color options won't win any awards for creativity, they signal Apple's focus on simplicity and durability. The switch to USB-C charging brings the device in line with Apple's latest models, a welcome change for anyone tired of juggling different cables. The 16e also doesn't skimp on speed. Apps launch quickly; multitasking feels seamless, and even intensive games run smoothly. Battery life is another bright spot. Apple claims up to 26 hours of video playback. I haven't put it to that specific test, but if you're upgrading from an SE, it feels like you get weeks more battery life than previous models. You don't. While it's a massive improvement, I still get down to about 30% by about 2:00 in the afternoon. Admittedly, I'm much harder on my phones than the average person, but still, I cannot imagine this little gadget staying awake as long − or working as hard − as I do. (Smart Data mode helps extend that life by automatically switching to LTE when 5G isn't necessary.) AI and Apple Intelligence: Worth the hype? The iPhone 16e supports Apple Intelligence, the company's AI-driven software suite designed to make the iPhone more intuitive. Features like Visual Look Up, which lets you identify objects through the camera, are genuinely helpful, not just gimmicks. However, it's worth noting that this software is still evolving, and so is most people's general understanding of how to use it to make life easier (I'm looking at you, Mom). Siri is just as hit-or-miss on the SE as it is on my 16 Pro, which means it does what I want it to do about half the time. I'm still hoping for better performance on all the models. Why the iPhone 16e matters Apple's decision to phase out the iPhone SE and replace it with the 16e reflects broader changes in consumer expectations. The market for small, low-cost smartphones is shrinking, and users now demand more from their devices − bigger screens, better cameras, and faster performance. The 16e delivers on all fronts without reaching flagship pricing levels. At $599, it's a significant jump from the SE, but for most people, the extra investment will be worth it. The added screen size, modern design, improved camera, and support for Apple's latest AI features make this more than just a minor upgrade. The bottom line: Should you buy it? If you're still holding onto an iPhone that's 5 years old or older or thinking about switching from Android, the iPhone 16e is the best entry point into Apple's ecosystem in years. It offers the core features of the iPhone 16 at a more palatable price and doesn't feel like a stripped-down version of a flagship model. It's a 'good enough' phone for a decent-ish price. If you're paying for the device upfront, $200 is a big deal. But if you go with an installment plan, it's more like an additional $8 per month on a two-year contract plan, which makes it hurt a little less. Or just wait for the iPhone 17. The bottom line? While the SE's price jump may turn off some budget-conscious buyers, those willing to spend a bit more will get a phone that feels anything but entry-level. Pre-orders started on Feb. 21, with the official launch on Feb. 28. Jennifer Jolly is an Emmy Award-winning consumer tech columnist and on-air contributor for "The Today Show.' The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. Contact her at JJ@ or follow her @JennJolly in Instagram. This article contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
iPhone 16e review: I used Apple's newest phone for a week. Here's how it compares.
Apple's new iPhone 16e arrived on my doorstep at a critical time in our personal tech world. Prices are higher, consumer demand is lower, and all the 'incremental improvements' companies are pushing to get us to dole out the equivalent of a mortgage payment for the next new thing are, well, quite frankly boring. Especially compared to all the novel breakthroughs of just a few years ago. That's what I'm thinking about when I unbox Apple's latest new smartphone, the lower-priced 'entry' level iPhone 16e. I've had it for a full week now, and overall, it's a genuinely snazzy successor to the 3rd generation iPhone SE that Apple launched in March of 2022. Going from the SE to the 16e is a big step up in all the ways that matter the most: At first glance, it's hard to tell much of a difference between the 16e and the rest of the iPhone 16 family of phones. Gone is the ancient home button of the SE, replaced by Face ID and a 6.1-inch OLED display that brings Apple's entry-level phone into the modern age. The A18 chip inside has the same horsepower as its pricier iPhone 16 sibling, but Apple had to cut a few corners to get there − no MagSafe, no ultra-wide camera, and just two color options − hope you like black or white! Battery life is a half-day (or more) better. (Apple says 26-hours of video playback.) The camera specs are a big leap forward from the last SE. The 16e now offers the big 'Apple Intelligence' (AI) tricks (although many people who currently have newer iPhones don't know how to use most of them yet). So, is the 16e a good deal, or should you buy an iPhone 16? After spending the last week using it, here's what I've found. At a starting price of $599 (can we just say $600 already?!), this is not a 'budget' phone. It's $170 more than the one it replaces. That's led some insiders to speculate that Apple's done trying to offer an 'affordable' phone and will now focus on a slightly downscaled model of its current flagship lineup instead. The 16e is $200 less than the lowest price 16, but it used to be a $400 difference. It begs the question: If you're already paying $600 for a phone, why not pay the additional $200 − especially if that comes down to $8 on a two-year installment plan − and get the whole enchilada? The 16e is a good enough phone, but is it good enough value? iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 16: Key features and differences for Apple's latest smartphones The 16e does not support MagSafe accessories. I didn't realize how big of a bummer this would be until I watched it slide off the dashboard holder in my car. You can still charge it wirelessly, but only with the older, slower Qi way of doing things, and it's noticeably slower to charge up than my iPhone 16 Pro. Just remember, it won't stick to anything without the help of a third-party MagSafe case like the ESR for iPhone 16e case ($12.57) on Amazon or another attachment like PopSocket's Adaptor Rings ($35+). The new camera specs on the 16e are significantly better than those on the last SE, but there's still just one lens peeping out the back of the device. Apple calls the upgraded 48-megapixel camera a "2-in-1 Fusion Camera." That's fancy branding for how the phone uses one high-resolution sensor to simulate multiple focal lengths. Still, it's not a complete replacement for the triple-camera systems found on the iPhone 16 Pro models. The 16e's primary 48MP sensor captures high-quality standard shots, but the selfies aren't as good as the ones I shoot on my 16 Pro. Also, instead of a dedicated telephoto lens, the camera digitally crops into the 48MP sensor to create an optical-quality 2x zoom, effectively giving you a second focal length without adding a physical lens. In other words, Apple uses high-resolution sensor cropping to simulate a telephoto lens while maintaining detail, which is a smart way to offer zoom without adding extra hardware. But can one camera work the same iPhonography-magic as the higher-end models? No. Not without the ultra-wide lens and a dedicated telephoto zoom lens beyond 2x, which you get on the Pro models. If you mostly shoot at 1x or 2x, the 16e's camera will feel just as capable. But for true photography enthusiasts, the extra lenses on the Pro models make a giant difference. OK, back to the pros: The iPhone 16e bridges the gap between the classic simplicity of the iPhone SE and the modern aesthetic and performance of the flagship iPhone 16 models. Its updated design offers a smooth transition into today's smartphone standards and Apple's ecosystem without a giant learning curve or an even bigger budget-blowing price tag. The aluminum build feels sturdy, and while the black-and-white color options won't win any awards for creativity, they signal Apple's focus on simplicity and durability. The switch to USB-C charging brings the device in line with Apple's latest models, a welcome change for anyone tired of juggling different cables. The 16e also doesn't skimp on speed. Apps launch quickly; multitasking feels seamless, and even intensive games run smoothly. Battery life is another bright spot. Apple claims up to 26 hours of video playback. I haven't put it to that specific test, but if you're upgrading from an SE, it feels like you get weeks more battery life than previous models. You don't. While it's a massive improvement, I still get down to about 30% by about 2:00 in the afternoon. Admittedly, I'm much harder on my phones than the average person, but still, I cannot imagine this little gadget staying awake as long − or working as hard − as I do. (Smart Data mode helps extend that life by automatically switching to LTE when 5G isn't necessary.) The iPhone 16e supports Apple Intelligence, the company's AI-driven software suite designed to make the iPhone more intuitive. Features like Visual Look Up, which lets you identify objects through the camera, are genuinely helpful, not just gimmicks. However, it's worth noting that this software is still evolving, and so is most people's general understanding of how to use it to make life easier (I'm looking at you, Mom). Siri is just as hit-or-miss on the SE as it is on my 16 Pro, which means it does what I want it to do about half the time. I'm still hoping for better performance on all the models. Apple's decision to phase out the iPhone SE and replace it with the 16e reflects broader changes in consumer expectations. The market for small, low-cost smartphones is shrinking, and users now demand more from their devices − bigger screens, better cameras, and faster performance. The 16e delivers on all fronts without reaching flagship pricing levels. At $599, it's a significant jump from the SE, but for most people, the extra investment will be worth it. The added screen size, modern design, improved camera, and support for Apple's latest AI features make this more than just a minor upgrade. If you're still holding onto an iPhone that's 5 years old or older or thinking about switching from Android, the iPhone 16e is the best entry point into Apple's ecosystem in years. It offers the core features of the iPhone 16 at a more palatable price and doesn't feel like a stripped-down version of a flagship model. It's a 'good enough' phone for a decent-ish price. If you're paying for the device upfront, $200 is a big deal. But if you go with an installment plan, it's more like an additional $8 per month on a two-year contract plan, which makes it hurt a little less. Or just wait for the iPhone 17. The bottom line? While the SE's price jump may turn off some budget-conscious buyers, those willing to spend a bit more will get a phone that feels anything but entry-level. Pre-orders started on Feb. 21, with the official launch on Feb. 28. Jennifer Jolly is an Emmy Award-winning consumer tech columnist and on-air contributor for "The Today Show.' The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. Contact her at JJ@ or follow her @JennJolly in Instagram. This article contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Apple's latest iPhone: Should you buy the $600 iPhone 16e?
CNN
21-02-2025
- Business
- CNN
Can a budget phone help Apple overtake Huawei in China?
Apple offered the latest version of its budget friendly phone for pre-sale in key markets on Friday, in an effort to woo price-sensitive customers in countries like China and India. The launch of the iPhone 16e, which costs $599 and is equipped with artificial intelligence, came in the same week that Chinese rival Huawei rolled out its flagship trifold phone in a rare overseas launch event. Apple's iPhone 16 starts at $799. Analysts said the mid-range pricing strategy and earlier-than-expected release reflects Apple's effort to boost adoption in lower-end markets. The new handset replaces the SE series and is Apple's first lower-price model since 2022. 'The 16e is a big step up from the SE and aligns more closely with market demand in that upper mid-end segment but China is hyper competitive, especially in that price range,' Archie Zhang, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, a market analysis firm, told CNN. In China, Apple's second most-largest market, homegrown giant Huawei has made a stunning comeback after being pummeled by American sanctions since 2019. According to data from Canalys, a market research firm, Huawei overtook the Cupertino-based tech giant last year with 16% market share, compared to Apple's 15%. In 2023, Apple was comfortably ahead with 19% market share, compared to Huawei's 12%. Last year, the iPhone maker introduced its Apple Intelligence, which has so far released its AI service to limited English-speaking markets, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Chinese tech giant Alibaba said last week that Apple had chosen to work with it in rolling out its AI features in China, though the release date remains unclear. Besides the slow rollout of AI features and fierce competition from Chinese brands like Oppo, Huawei and Vivo, which often offer higher specs at lower prices, Apple also faces challenges like greater patriotism among Chinese consumers, according to Lori Chang, a senior analyst at market research company Isaiah Research. Globally, Apple is increasingly facing an uphill battle in luring new customers. Its smartphone sales have declined since peaking in 2022, and its global shipment share has fallen from 19.3% in 2023 to 18.2% last year, according to Counterpoint Research. On Tuesday, Huawei released its trifold smartphone, the Mate XT, in the Malaysian capital, marking one of its largest overseas smartphone launches since it was hit by export restrictions imposed by US President Donald Trump during his first term in 2019. 'The significance of XT's overseas launch is to show how far we could go,' a Huawei spokeswoman told CNN. The world's first commercial trifold phone, which folds around two hinges and expands like a tablet, was first launched at home in China in September, just hours after Apple introduced its iPhone 16. But its steep price tag, at $3,673 outside China, positions it as a luxury device. Huawei's high-profile outside China has symbolic importance as it's another sign of its revival. However, its overseas phone sales are unlikely to skyrocket in the near future, as it relies on a domestic chipmaker for advanced semiconductors, which has struggled to boost production under US restrictions, Chang added. In 2018, before the ban, Huawei sold nearly half of its smartphones outside of China. But its global phone sales plunged after Trump choked off its access to critical technologies like semiconductor chips in 2019. Its global smartphone shipment share stood at just 4.1% last year. 'In the next two years, Huawei will likely focus on strengthening its market position domestically as it works to stabilize the output in chip production to ensure sufficient smartphone production before they can scale further,' Chang said.
