Apple on Wednesday unveiled the iPhone 16e, a redesigned device positioned to bring flagship features, including Apple Intelligence, to more users at a lower price.
The successor to the iPhone SE shares the same shape as the mainline iPhone 16 series and features a 6.1-inch (15.5cm) screen, on a par with the base iPhone 16, but with a notch instead of Dynamic Island and, most notably, without the home button, one of Apple's signature hardware features that housed its Touch ID biometric technology.
The home button was hugely popular as it was a convenient way to unlock iPhones, replace password inputs and authorise transactions such as Apple Pay. When it was removed from the iPhone X in 2017, a good segment of the Apple user base still favoured it over Face ID – which is the iPhone 16e's security and authentication method.
The iPhone 16e utilises Apple's in-house A18 processor, which is also used in the current-generation iPhone 16. Its battery will last up to 12 hours longer than the iPhone SE models, Apple said.
The company also added a new C1 chip, the first modem designed by Apple that brings faster 5G connectivity and more power efficiency, according to Apple.
The device will come in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB models, with prices starting at Dh2,599. For comparison, the base iPhone 16, also with 128GB of storage, starts at Dh3,399. The UAE will be among 59 countries that can start ordering the devices on Friday, and its general release will be on February 28.
Other top-tier features on the iPhone 16e include a 48MP camera sensor, which Apple has been using since the iPhone 14 Pro, and the Action Button, which can be customised to trigger a specific function, including Apple Intelligence. The new device does not have the Camera Control side button introduced in the iPhone 16 series.
Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 16e puts it among a handful of Apple devices where the generative AI platform is available. These include the iPhone 15 Pro models and the entire iPhone 16 series.
The California-based company also said it will be expanding Apple Intelligence's language support to 10 more by April – Simplified Chinese, India English, Singapore English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Brazil Portuguese and Spanish.
“The SE series [now e] has long served as an affordable entry point into the Apple ecosystem, helping expand iPhone adoption,” Varun Mishra, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research, said ahead of the launch.
The iPhone SE has been particularly popular in Japan and the prepaid segment in the US, the Hong Kong-based research firm said.
“With its compact design and lower price point, it appeals to users who prefer smaller devices without top-tier specifications … helping Apple broaden its user base while driving service revenue growth and cross-selling Apple Watch, AirPods and other accessories,” Mr Mishra said.
The first iPhone SE was introduced in 2016 alongside the iPhone 6s, and spawned two more iterations in 2020 and 2022. It received generally favourable reviews thanks to its performance at a lower cost.
The home button's removal is also a full-circle moment: the original iPhone SE, along with the iPhone 6s, were the last devices to feature the 3.5mm headphone jack.
With the rise of generative AI, smartphone manufacturers are scrambling to incorporate the latest technologies to entice a wider consumer base. Apple partnered with ChatGPT maker OpenAI last year and eventually launched Apple Intelligence to throw its hat into the generative AI arena.
That put it in a head-to-head battle with Samsung Electronics, the world's biggest mobile phone manufacturer, which introduced its Galaxy AI last year and partnered with Google at the launch of the Galaxy S25 series earlier this year.
Apple remains a favoured brand among consumers. The iPhone 15 was the world's top-selling smartphone in 2024, continuing a streak since 2018 and outclassing competition that is largely focused on capitalising on the steady rise of generative AI in mobile devices, Counterpoint said in a report this month.
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Result
Qualifier: Islamabad United beat Karachi Kings by eight wickets
Fixtures
Tuesday, Lahore: Eliminator 1 - Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators
Wednesday, Lahore: Eliminator 2 – Karachi Kings v Winner of Eliminator 1
Sunday, Karachi: Final – Islamabad United v Winner of Eliminator 2
CHINESE GRAND PRIX STARTING GRID
1st row
Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
2nd row
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-GP)
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
3rd row
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing)
4th row
Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
Sergio Perez (Force India)
5th row
Carlos Sainz Jr (Renault)
Romain Grosjean (Haas)
6th row
Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
Esteban Ocon (Force India)
7th row
Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren)
8th row
Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso)
Sergey Sirotkin (Williams)
9th row
Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)
Lance Stroll (Williams)
10th row
Charles Leclerc (Sauber)
arcus Ericsson (Sauber)
Apple%20Mac%20through%20the%20years
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Power: 169bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh54,500
On sale: now
The Travel Diaries of Albert Einstein The Far East, Palestine, and Spain, 1922 – 1923
Editor Ze’ev Rosenkranz
Princeton
The%20Woman%20King%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Gina%20Prince-Bythewood%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Viola%20Davis%2C%20Thuso%20Mbedu%2C%20Sheila%20Atim%2C%20Lashana%20Lynch%2C%20John%20Boyega%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.8-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C200rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%20from%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh111%2C195%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
