Following a three-year wait, Apple has finally introduced its latest entry-level iPhone, the iPhone 16e, which succeeds the iPhone SE in the company’s lineup. The new device is modeled after the iPhone 14, but with notable upgrades, including an updated processor that supports Apple Intelligence. Priced at $599, it is the most affordable AI-equipped iPhone, with a price difference of $200 from the next available option.

As predicted by leaks suggested, the fourth-generation iPhone 16e bears a resemblance to the iPhone 14, the company’s 2023 standard model. This marks the first time an entry-level iPhone has adopted the modern full-screen design, featuring Face ID. With a 6.1-inch screen, it is the largest display on an entry-level model to date, surpassing the 2022 iPhone SE‘s 4.7-inch screen. However, it retains the notch at the top of the display, a feature that is only absent in more expensive models with Dynamic Island.

Several external features distinguish the iPhone 16e from the iPhone 14, including a USB-C port instead of Lightning and a single camera lens on the back, similar to older iPhone SE models. The camera, however, boasts a 48MP “2-in-1” lens with integrated 2x zoom capabilities, a significant upgrade from the previous SE model.

The iPhone 16e also features the Action button, a customizable physical shortcut button first introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro. However, it lacks MagSafe charging, supporting only Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W, similar to the iPhone SE it replaces.

The most significant difference lies in the internal specifications, with the iPhone 16e equipped with the A18 chip, the same processor powering the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, although with four GPU cores instead of five. It is also the first iPhone to feature an in-house modem, known as C1, marking a departure from the Qualcomm modems used in previous models. While this results in the loss of ultra-wideband 5G and Wi-Fi 7 support, the iPhone 16e remains compatible with sub-6GHz 5G and Wi-Fi 6.

The A18 chip enables fast and smooth performance, as well as Apple Intelligence, a feature that the company has been activating by default during onboarding. This includes Apple’s generative AI writing tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, Visual Intelligence, ChatGPT integration, and recently tweaked notification summaries, all available on a sub-$600 iPhone.

The iPhone 16e is offered in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options and comes in black and white finishes.

Priced at $599, the 2025 iPhone 16e is positioned competitively with Google’s $499 Pixel 8a and Samsung’s $400 Galaxy A35 for those seeking flagship-like features at a more affordable price. The new iPhone 16e can be pre-ordered starting February 21 at 8AM ET, with shipping scheduled for February 28.

Correction, Feb 19 2025, 3:50PM ET: This story initially stated that the iPhone 16e was the cheapest iPhone with Apple Intelligence by $300. The actual price difference is $200, between the iPhone 16e and the iPhone 16. We apologize for the error.