Source: in-cyprus.philenews.com
Apple Inc unveiled its iPhone 16e, a lower-cost smartphone featuring the company’s first in-house modem chip, as the tech giant seeks to revive sales in its budget segment.
The $599 device, which replaces the iPhone SE, incorporates the same A18 processor used in the flagship iPhone 16 series and introduces Apple’s C1 modem, marking a significant shift away from Qualcomm’s technology.
The new model adopts a modern design, removing the home button and fingerprint sensor in favour of Face ID technology, though it retains a single main camera compared to multiple lenses on premium models.
The launch comes as Apple grapples with declining iPhone sales, which fell 1% to $69 billion in the latest quarter. The company is betting on expanded artificial intelligence capabilities, branded as Apple Intelligence, to drive growth.
“Get ready to meet the newest member of the family”, CEO Tim Cook posted on social media, marking a departure from Apple’s traditional product launch events.
The iPhone SE, which accounted for 10% of iPhone sales in 2016, saw its market share drop to 1% in 2023, according to Counterpoint Research. The 16e represents Apple’s most affordable entry point for customers seeking access to its AI features.
The iPhone 16e could help Apple capture price-sensitive consumers, but analysts remain cautious about whether AI features alone can significantly boost sales.
The device will be available later this month, with Apple continuing its recent strategy of announcing new products through press releases and online announcements rather than large-scale live events.
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