Apple simply introduced the iPhone 16e, offering a much-needed improve over the extremely outdated iPhone SE. Whereas the 16e is costlier than the cellphone it is changing, it is nonetheless less expensive than the Galaxy S25 and Pixel 9. All whereas managing to supply about 90% of the identical expertise that you’d get with the usual iPhone 16.
Usually, I do not pay shut consideration to when Apple or Samsung launch these cheaper alternate options. The fee-cutting measures which can be taken often make for telephones that simply aren’t all that interesting. Nevertheless, the iPhone 16e is the primary time that I’ve taken a second have a look at the press launch.
For one, Apple has lastly ditched the Residence Button and rounded body for good, offering a funds choice that truly seems fashionable. Positive, we sacrificed the Residence Button for the notch, however hey, beggars cannot be choosers.
We even have all the anticipated variations, such because the iPhone 16e solely being geared up with a single wide-angle rear digicam, restricted to a 2x optical zoom. MagSafe is not built-in, however give case makers a number of weeks and that downside will swiftly be remedied. Nevertheless, we will not assist however marvel why Apple would not embrace MagSafe on a cellphone that shares the design because the one which launched it.
What I wasn’t anticipating was for the iPhone 16e to have the ability to take full benefit of Apple Intelligence. This contains the addition of the Motion Button, permitting you to ask ChatGPT about life’s most vital questions. Or, I do not know, level the cellphone at one thing, hit the Motion Button, and revel in Apple’s model of Google Lens.
All of that is made potential because of Apple’s A18 processor, which is one other apparent inclusion with the iPhone 16e. Nevertheless, when Apple’s “Evaluate iPhone Fashions” web page, there’s one (seemingly) tiny distinction because the 16e is utilizing a “binned” model of the A18.
As a substitute of getting a 6-core CPU paired with a 5-core GPU just like the iPhone 16, the A18 within the 16e “solely” features a 4-core GPU. This is not something ground-breaking, as firms have been doing this for years, together with Apple.
What makes it attention-grabbing is that that is the most affordable cellphone that has built-in AI capabilities. Each Google’s Pixel 9 and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 retail for $799, whereas the iPhone 16e is available in at simply $599. And sure, I do know there are cheaper telephones on the market and you’ll simply obtain Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude, or no matter different AI app.
The distinction is that Apple Intelligence is not simply the ChatGPT integration with Siri. Apple can also be bringing its different AI options to its most cost-effective iPhone, equivalent to Clear Up for images, Picture Playground for AI-generated pictures, and extra. That is built-in integration that you just simply will not discover on any of the alternate options. Properly, a minimum of not but.
Google’s Pixel 9a could possibly be proper across the nook, with current rumors pointing to a mid-March launch. It is anticipated to easily be a less expensive model of the Pixel 9, powered by the Tensor G4 and the 9a is outwardly set to share the identical RAM and storage configurations.
In the meantime, we do not know if Samsung is planning to launch a Galaxy S25 FE, though it will come as a little bit of a shock if it does not. As we have seen with the Galaxy S24 FE and the Tab S10 collection, Samsung is not afraid of utilizing a MediaTek chip. That means that it would not be fully on par with its flagship brethren, because the S25 depends on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite.
That being stated, Samsung proved that it may nonetheless present a superb AI expertise even with the change to MediaTek. Rumors are already suggesting that the S25 FE could possibly be powered by the Dimensity 9400. Which, based mostly on our current comparability, may not be the flagship equal of Qualcomm that we have been hoping for.
Once more, there’s one vital issue to think about, and that is the value. Assuming that Google and Samsung preserve costs the identical, this implies the Pixel 9a will are available in at $499, undercutting the iPhone 16e. Whereas the Galaxy S25 FE would set you again $649, about $150 greater than the 16e.
Though I will not be choosing up an iPhone 16e for myself, I’m inquisitive about how nicely it should carry out these AI-powered duties. If it is in a position to sustain with the iPhone 16, then Apple has but once more put some immense stress on each Google and Samsung.
