The iPhone 16e: A Forgotten Promise?
Does anyone still remember the iPhone 16e? Once touted as the gateway to “affordable Apple Intelligence in the palm of your hand,” this device, launched earlier this year shortly after the Galaxy S25, seems to have faded into obscurity.
According to Phone Arena, the iPhone 16e is an oddity—a mere months-old device that feels like a relic from another era. What caused this rapid decline into irrelevance?
The Abandoned Smartphone
The iPhone 16e’s A18 chip promised much but delivered little.
Apple once declared that its AI features would require at least an A17 chip with Neural Engine. To democratize Apple Intelligence, the company swiftly upgraded its entry-level lineup, equipping the iPhone 16e with the promising A18 processor.
However, despite repeated assurances, the anticipated AI updates were delayed time and again. The flagship update, “The One,” originally slated for March 2025, has been postponed indefinitely—possibly until 2026.
Without its AI allure, the iPhone 16e is now just a budget iPhone released in an awkward cycle between the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17. This positioning is particularly unfortunate, given the explosive launch of the iPhone 17.
The iPhone 17’s upgrades, the iPhone 17 Pro’s hardware innovations, the revolutionary iPadOS 26, and the groundbreaking Liquid Glass technology all overshadow the vague promise of “great AI” on the iPhone 16e.
The iPhone 16e struggles to find its place in a crowded market.
By late 2025, the lineup includes the iPhone 17, Air, Pro, and Pro Max, followed by the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, with the 16e trailing behind. Third-party retailers are still clearing out older models like the 16 Pro and even the iPhone 14 Plus.
In this crowded field, the iPhone 16e lacks appeal. It offers only two colors, retains the outdated thick bezels and mute switch, lacks Camera Control, and features a dated 60 Hz display with a large notch. With no standout features and just a single camera, it fails to impress.
Why pay $600 for the iPhone 16e when the superior iPhone 16 is available at a similar or even lower price during sales? Scoring an iPhone 16 or even an iPhone 15 Pro at that price feels like a steal, while settling for a black or white 16e feels like a compromise.
Can the iPhone 16e Be Revived?
Apple’s AI dreams may not be over yet.
Reports suggest Apple is negotiating with Google to license Gemini AI for Siri, at a cost of around $1 billion annually. However, by the time this AI update arrives, the iPhone 16e’s moment may have passed.
Will Apple attempt to revive the line with an iPhone 17e? Recent reports indicate Apple is reevaluating its iPhone release schedule. In September 2026, the company may launch only the iPhone 18 Pro and a foldable iPhone, with the iPhone 18 and 18e rumored for spring 2027.
In Vietnam, the iPhone 16e’s price has dropped by approximately 2 million VND since its launch, yet it remains one of Apple’s hardest-to-sell models. A promotional offer reduces the price to 12.5 million VND with a carrier plan, but compared to similarly priced devices, the 16e still falls short in both specs and design.
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