Apple’s iPhone 16e Faces Major Backlash Over Pricing and Features

06 March 2025 – Apple’s latest addition to its smartphone alignment, the iPhone 16e, has sparked controversy among consumers, especially those who have previously opted for the iPhone SE for the budget. While the new device has an impressive life battery ​and solid performance, a new report suggests that Apple takes an important bet by introducing ​the 16th as a ​replacement for the SE. The main ​concern? Prices.

i The owners of Phone SE are reluctant to update

According to the ​latest Consumer Intelligence ​Research Partners ​(CIRP) report, the typical iPhone SE owner has always ​promoted accessibility for premium features. The data show that an amazing 45% of SE buyers previously had a standard iPhone Model ‘number’ before choosing to decline to an ​SE due to cost considerations. Even more, 26% of SE buyers simply ​updated to another SE ​when the time came, rather than switching to a more expensive device.

Michael Levin and Josh ​Lowitz, CIRP analysts, explain the trend:

“In general, it seems that iPhone SE buyers were ​left with a ​low-priced phone, low capacity, ​rather than updating an iPhone SE to more ​expensive models.”

This poses a major challenge for Apple as the iPhone 16e starts at $599 – a significant leap from the price ​tag $429 of the old SE model. With this pricing strategy, Apple risks alienating its price-conscious customers, who can now look elsewhere ​for their next smartphone.

Why iPhone 16’s pricing strategy could go back

Apple has positioned ​iPhone 16th as the new entry level model, but it is not clear whether budget-conscious buyers will accept the change. The ​price increase of nearly $200 can push customers to cheaper Android alternatives or ​even renewed iPhones, which remain popular with cost-sensitive users.

The iPhone SE was widely seen as the ​option to go ​to ​consumers who wanted a ​simple and reliable Apple device without the ​high-end price. ​With the ​SE, buyers are now faced with a difficult option:

• Pay the extra $170 for the iPhone 16e
• Consider switching to a budget Android phone
• Opt for an older or refurbished iPhone at a lower price

As the CIRP indicates, the ​probability that former SE users will voluntarily pay for the most expensive 16th is small. ​This could result ​in a decrease in ​Apple’s market share in the lower price segment, which has long been an entry point for many iPhone users for ​the ​first time.

iPhone 16th vs iPhone ​SE: Breaking Key Differences

Although the iPhone ​16e has ​several improvements ​on the SE, some of the key outlets that ​made the SE attractive are missing. This is how they compare:

• Design: The iPhone 16e follows the modern iPhone 14 aesthetic with a glass back and aluminum frame, whereas the SE ​retained the older iPhone 8-style design with a home button.
• Display: The 16e features a 6.1-inch OLED screen, an upgrade from ​the SE’s smaller LCD panel.
• Performance: With ​the A18 chip, the ​16e performs on par with the iPhone 16, but SE owners may not prioritize cutting-edge speed.
• Battery Life: The iPhone 16e offers the best battery life ​of any 6.1-inch iPhone, thanks in part to Apple’s custom-built C1 modem.
• Camera: The 16e features a single 48MP ​camera, lacking the ultra-wide and telephoto options found on more premium models.

Although these improvements are remarkable, they may not be sufficient to justify price increases, particularly for users who were satisfied with the functionality of SE no-frills.

The absence of MagSafe: A ​step back?

One of the most surprising omissions of the iPhone 16e is the MagSafe wireless charge. As Macworld ​pointed out, this exclusion is particularly ​frustrating for users accustomed ​to the comfort of MagSafe accessories.

“The arrival ​of the free iPhone 16e from MagSafe was taken to remind me how essential and brilliant the functionality is, and it’s really an English key to returning to the old way of doing things. “

Apple’s reasoning for this decision ​is unclear, although speculation suggests that it can be a strategic move to differentiate 16th from iPhone 16 ​and encourage ​improvements. However, removing MagSafe may eventually ​alienate users ​rather than try to spend more.

Will iPhone owners buy iPhone 16e?

The main question remains: Will iPhone users ​jump to ​iPhone 16e? ​Many analysts ​believe the answer is no.

Although the 16th is undeniably a ​more powerful device than the SE, its price makes it a ​difficult sale for a demography that favours accessibility. In addition, Apple’s assumption that these users will remain loyal despite higher ​prices can be a costly calculation.

Some industry experts ​claim that Apple is gradually moving away from the entire budget of conscious consumers, choosing instead ​to focus ​on higher-level products. However, leaving the ​segment at ​a lower cost ​could have long-term consequences, especially if ​potential customers are defeated to rival brands.

In the end, Apple’s decision to replace SE with the most expensive iPhone 16 is a calculated risk. If you pay, it remains to be ​seen, but one thing ​is ​true: Apple’s budget-conscious users are now facing an uncertain future.