Sorry, but the new iPhone 16e is not for broke people

I was a fan of the iPhone SE series, Apple’s budget range for those who do not want to spend a ton of money on regular iPhone models. And I was so looking forward to the iPhone SE 2025 (4th Generation) which has now been released as the iPhone 16e. The problem with the iPhone 16e is that it is a totally different kettle of fish from the SE range that it is replacing.

For starters, it is not budget. Costing from $600 for the 128GB base storage variant, the iPhone 16e is only roughly $100 cheaper than the vanilla iPhone 16. And in European Union (EU) countries, the pricing is even worse – starting from €699 for the same base storage variant. Gone is the allure of picking this model because one does not want to spend a boatload of money to own an iPhone.

Secondly, it is no longer as compact as the SE range was. With a 6.1-inch display, it has the same screen size as, and similar dimensions to, the vanilla iPhone 16. The iPhone SE 2022 which I owned, had a 4.7-inch display and was an extremely compact smartphone that I enjoyed using. The iPhone 16e could have been blessed with anything from 5 inches to 5.5 inches of screen size. But then, remember that the mini range of phones was scrapped by Apple not too long ago.

The new iPhone 16e is neither as compact nor as affordable as the phone we fans of the SE range were all expecting. And so we come to the question: what is the attraction of a model that is the same size as the vanilla model but missing all the exciting features while costing just $100 less? I can’t figure it out. Can anyone help me?

As it is, there isn’t a clear distinction of what the iPhone 16e stands for. It is better to add $100 and buy the regular iPhone 16 instead of this. You will get so much more for that extra $100.

What is missing on the iPhone 16e that you will get on the 16? A more versatile rear camera setup. MagSafe support. Reverse wireless charging. Reverse charging. And more colour options (the 16e is available in only black and white colour options).

Also, you could spend the same amount of money that the iPhone 16e costs in getting the year-old vanilla iPhone 15 and still enjoy much better value. You might actually get the iPhone 15 for even less, if you look in the right places.

Personally, I had been looking forward to the iPhone SE 4th Generation after my experience with the SE 3rd Gen. I am not so excited about the idea any longer. I wanted an iPhone for broke people, but this 16e does not appear to qualify. Apple has refused to let broke people breathe. I bought my iPhone Se 2022 for around ₦250,000 only. Factoring in both the price increase and the current exchange rate, the iPhone 16e will cost anything upwards of ₦900,000 here in Nigeria. Babu wahala. Tears. Where is Hauwa when you need someone to help you with a rant?

Anyway, if you understand Apple’s game plan with the iPhone 16e, do leave a comment below to enlighten us. The iPhone SE range is dead; long live the new iPhone ‘e’ range.