Apple has launched a budget-friendly iPhone in its 2025 iPhone 16 series lineup: the iPhone 16e. This is the most affordable new iPhone in the 2025 lineup, starting at PHP 39,990. This new iPhone will compete with rivals like Samsung and Huawei in the mid-range segment.
Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced this new member of the iPhone 16 family on launch event yesterday. Vice President of iPhone marketing, Kaiann Drance, also participated, explaining the key specifications of this phone. Watch the introductory video on the official Apple YouTube channel below.
Previous rumors suggested the phone would be called the iPhone SE (2025), but the company officially named it “iPhone 16e.”

Why the name change? Apple hasn’t commented, but it seems they may have moved away from year-specific names for iPhones (like “iPhone SE 2022”). Their shift to a numerical system aligns with this newer branding strategy. “iPhone 16e” might sound catchier and more modern than “iPhone SE 4th Gen),” appealing more to consumers.
Apple iPhone 16e Specifications
The iPhone 16e features a compact 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with FHD+ 2532 x 1170 resolution at 460 ppi. The display has an oleophobic coating for fingerprint resistance. The display includes a notch, similar to the iPhone XR, housing a 12MP autofocus selfie camera, Face ID, and Retina Flash.

The main camera features a single, 48MP f/1.6 OIS camera system with a telephoto lens. It can record 4K video at 60 frames per second with Dolby Vision HDR and up to 240fps slow-motion video.
Measuring 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.80 mm and weighing 167 grams, the iPhone 16e boasts an aerospace-grade aluminum body and Ceramic Shield glass for durability. It also features an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance (surviving up to 6 meters for 30 minutes).

Powered by a 3nm Apple A18 chip (hexa-core CPU with 2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, 16-core Neural Engine, and a four-core Apple GPU), the phone runs iOS 18 with Apple Intelligence. Memory options include 8GB of RAM and 128GB/256GB/512GB of internal storage; it does not support SD card expansion.
Apple hasn’t disclosed the battery capacity, but claims it offers up to 26 hours of video playback—impressive compared to the iPhone 16’s 22 hours. The phone includes a USB-C port, supports 20W fast charging, and Qi wireless charging.

Connectivity features include the C1 chip (Apple’s first custom-designed modem, shipped from Qualcomm), Wi-Fi, dual SIM (e-SIM support), a satellite connectivity for Emergency SOS, Crash Detection, Roadside Assistance, and satellite messaging.
see the full specs of the iphone 16e
Apple iPhone 16e Price and Availability
The iPhone 16e price starts at PHP 39,990 for the 8GB/128GB model and is now listed on Apple’s website. Pre-orders began February 21, 2025, in 59 countries, including the Philippines. Pricing is as follows:
- 8GB/128GB: PHP 39,990
- 8GB/256GB: PHP 46,990
- 8GB/512GB: PHP 58,990
The iPhone 16e will also be available from well-known retailers in the Philippines such as Beyond the Box, Power Mac Center, and Digital Walker, as well as on Apple’s Lazada flagship store.
Source: Apple Newsroom, Apple Youtube Channel
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