Is iPhone 16e Cheaper In India When Compared To US, UAE, More Countries? Find Out

Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e will begin on February 21, with official sales and deliveries set to commence on February 28.

iPhone 16e runs on Apple's A18 chip, the same as iPhone 16.

Source : Apple

Apple has expanded its iPhone lineup in India with the introduction of the iPhone 16e. Interestingly, this launch coincides with the removal of the iPhone SE from Apple's official store, suggesting the company may have phased out its budget-friendly SE series. Instead of unveiling a fourth-generation iPhone SE, Apple has chosen to add a more affordable model to the iPhone 16 series.

iPhone 16e Price in India, Availability

The starting price of the iPhone 16e in India is Rs 59,900 for the base model with 128GB storage. Customers who require additional storage can opt for the 256GB variant at Rs 69,900 or the 512GB model, which is priced at Rs 89,900.

Comparatively, the standard iPhone 16 starts at Rs 79,900, making the iPhone 16e a more budget-conscious alternative with a price difference of Rs 20,000. 

Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e will begin on February 21, with official sales and deliveries set to commence on February 28.

iPhone 16e Price Across Major Countries

In Japan, the iPhone 16e costs 99,800 yen (including tax, or Rs 57,540.92 at the time of writing) or 4,158 yen per month for 24 months.

In the UAE, the starting price is AED 2,599 (Rs 61,472.04).

In the US, it is available from $599 (Rs 52,028.69) or $24.95 per month for 24 months.

In the UK, the price starts at £599 (Rs 65,496.46) or £24.96 per month for 24 months.

So, as you can see, iPhone 16e price in India is largely costlier than rest of the leading markets, except for UAE and UK. 

iPhone 16e Specifications, Features

The device is equipped with a 6.1-inch OLED display featuring a notch that houses Apple’s Face ID system. Unlike previous budget models, the iPhone 16e comes with an Action button, replacing the mute switch, allowing users to assign quick-access functions such as launching the camera or activating Do Not Disturb mode. Additionally, Apple has transitioned to a USB-C port for this model, following the trend set by its higher-end counterparts.

Under the hood, the iPhone 16e runs on Apple's A18 chip, offering significant performance upgrades. Apple claims the 6-core CPU provides up to 80% faster speeds than the A13 Bionic chip that powered the iPhone 11. The chipset also integrates a 4-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, enhancing AI-driven tasks. According to Apple, the Neural Engine processes AI models up to six times faster than its predecessor, enabling smoother performance for machine learning applications.

The device also supports Apple Intelligence, a collection of AI-powered tools such as Genmoji and Writing Tools, alongside integration with ChatGPT.

The iPhone 16e features a 48MP Fusion rear camera capable of capturing high-resolution images with improved clarity. It includes a 2x Telephoto zoom option while maintaining image quality. By default, the device captures 24MP photos, but users can switch to full 48MP resolution for higher detail. Other camera features include Portrait mode, Night mode, and HDR support for better performance in various lighting conditions.

On the front, Apple has incorporated a 12MP True Depth camera with autofocus. The device is also capable of recording 4K videos at up to 60 frames per second, with Dolby Vision support for enhanced video quality.

Apple states that the iPhone 16e can deliver up to 26 hours of video playback on a single charge. It supports wireless charging and includes satellite-based features like Messages via Satellite and Emergency SOS, aimed at assisting users in areas with limited cellular connectivity. Additionally, the Crash Detection feature can automatically alert emergency services in case of a severe accident. However, there is no official confirmation on whether the Emergency SOS feature will be available in India or remain exclusive to the US market.

With its competitive pricing and a mix of premium and budget-friendly features, the iPhone 16e is expected to attract consumers looking for a cost-effective iPhone experience without compromising on performance and essential functionalities.