CNET

The iPhone 16e Big Feature isn’t AI — It’s Battery

Getting you to finally upgrade that old iPhone takes more than new AI software. CNET’s Bridget Carey looks at how Apple shifts its strategy for the budget-choice iPhone 16e, how it differs from the iPhone 16, and what it tells you about the next stage of iPhone evolution (it’s all about the battery, baby). 0:00…

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Getting you to finally upgrade that old iPhone takes more than new AI software. CNET’s Bridget Carey looks at how Apple shifts its strategy for the budget-choice iPhone 16e, how it differs from the iPhone 16, and what it tells you about the next stage of iPhone evolution (it’s all about the battery, baby).

0:00 Intro
1:14 RIP iPhone SE, Hello iPhone 16e
3:11 Action Button and Apple Intelligence
3:40 2-in-1 48MP Fusion Camera
4:08 USB-C and Charging
4:39 A18 Chip
5:09 Battery Life and Apple C1 Modem
5:56 Safety Features
6:14 Final Thoughts

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25 Comments

  1. @seekprateek8

    February 21, 2025 at 5:03 pm

    Cheaper for rich people who wants to gift their janitors a new phone.

  2. @henrybiemba4301

    February 21, 2025 at 5:08 pm

    Please give this woman 2 mics. Love it ❤

  3. @parshakamarsh

    February 21, 2025 at 5:30 pm

    It’s easy to have good battery life when you take half the features out

  4. @swami539

    February 21, 2025 at 5:31 pm

    Correction apple still has iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 does not have apple intelligence only 15 pro and pro max have it so cnet your wrong there not everyone iPhone sold by apple has access to apple intelligence

  5. @sunnygogna5097

    February 21, 2025 at 5:43 pm

    Bridget! I was patiently waiting for your video to this.

  6. @jean5416

    February 21, 2025 at 5:49 pm

    iPhone 16e price in France is : 719€ !!!!!!
    Very very expensive for SE iPhone .
    The price is crazy.
    For this price we can buy iPhone 14 or 15.
    Apple is drunk ????
    719€ for iPhone SE 4.
    Nobody are going to buy this in France .
    iPhone 13 new sealed is 500€.

  7. @jerrycaddie838

    February 21, 2025 at 5:50 pm

    I tried going from a mini to a 16. it made me dizzy and nauseas….Also the mini fits my hand and thumb reach perfectly

  8. @wshyangify

    February 21, 2025 at 6:02 pm

    The E here actually means expensive.

  9. @panjak323

    February 21, 2025 at 6:08 pm

    There isn’t any optical zoom. You take 48mp fake resolution and crop 0.5x on each axis in the middle thus getting 48 * 0.25 = 12mp.

    It’s nowhere near native 12mp image with 2x lens, because of how the bayer grid is layed out. You get 3mp equivalent image at best.

  10. @kingkea3451

    February 21, 2025 at 6:12 pm

    I was hoping for a new SE and instead we get this. More expensive than an SE, worse than a 16… Still has a 60Hz display and they ditched magsafe (which is a dealbreaker IMO)

    I was thinking of getting an iPhone and airpod pros this year to jump back to Apple, but it looks like I’m sticking with Samsung and gonna probably get an S25 and their buds pro 3 as well. Cheaper, better than apple at the price point (things like a 120Hz display for example)

  11. @Earendil_1510

    February 21, 2025 at 6:15 pm

    Only idiots will buy this phone. Wait a few months and you’ll get the 16 around 650-680 in deals. Why would anyone pay 600 for a phone with a notch and no magsafe and no ultrawide, the chip has lesser cores too. Plus the new modem is not tested in real world. This phone is such a waste of money.

  12. @septillionsuns

    February 21, 2025 at 6:23 pm

    Influencers trying to sell this dumpster fire. Just buy puts in Apple stock instead and use your profits to buy an 17 Pro Max.

  13. @hman1801

    February 21, 2025 at 6:26 pm

    I’d be wary of reviews claiming great battery life. My experience with the 15 plus as a casual user was trash even though everyone said it was incredible. It seems to vary with apple processors from generation to generation.

  14. @gao1812

    February 21, 2025 at 6:37 pm

    $600 for 60Hz and 128gb 😂😂😂

  15. @dirkvoskes2099

    February 21, 2025 at 6:37 pm

    It is a rip off as usual….even cheap Androids haven 90 to 120hz screens, this one still got 60hz…not going to buy it….ill go for the iPhone 15 instead, dont need AI.

  16. @FrankNadar

    February 21, 2025 at 6:45 pm

    E- End of Economical Phones

  17. @i-vernsimphonique3012

    February 21, 2025 at 6:51 pm

    I noticed that while many people commented or lamented about Apple not releasing any smaller iPhones, has anyone lamented on the fact that there’s no longer any product red iPhones and accessories? Is there an internal dispute within Apple such that product red is no longer in existence? Would there be an offering of 3 colours instead of 2 if product red is still available? Just wondering…😄

  18. @BhadManKAZMO

    February 21, 2025 at 6:53 pm

    iPhone 16e❌
    iPhone 16 eXPENSIVE✅

  19. @ShdwftheSuN

    February 21, 2025 at 7:08 pm

    I was sour at first, but now I think this is a really solid phone. Yes, this was effectively a price increase on all iPhones because Apple finally got rid of all their older, cheaper models, but now they are ALSO unifying everyone under the same AI software, ensuring you can get new features for less $$$ than the base 16. Plus, SE fans who upgrade to this will be getting USB-C, a faster processor, and a much better camera, with amazing battery life. Considering all this… what is there to hate, exactly? 🤔

  20. @anglenghong

    February 21, 2025 at 7:08 pm

    E for eDiot?😅

  21. @rosariodagosto6484

    February 21, 2025 at 7:35 pm

    Not. As. Cheap. As. Your. Channel.

  22. @donaldcrawfordiii554

    February 21, 2025 at 7:37 pm

    How about a manual on how to use ll those goodies in I phone!

  23. @barrydraper

    February 21, 2025 at 7:59 pm

    No thank you!

  24. @GGori_99

    February 21, 2025 at 8:22 pm

    This is ridiculous.. last year iphone 15 is worth the wait after all.. for the same price and double the storage.. come on Apple.. people are gettin smarter than their phones these days..

  25. @zyphbehr

    February 21, 2025 at 8:28 pm

    Honestly, I’m thinking it stands for expensive. I have someone in my life that uses an iPhone 8 and even without iOS updates, they refuse to update because it’s too costly. I was hoping that if the new SE one was still under $500 I could convince them to get a new device along the SE route, with some money help, but with it being $600 to start, and 256GB running at $700, it’s not going to happen and I have a feeling they may be going to Android when the phone dies. They are on a BYOD carrier to save money, so they won’t be getting carrier help either. What a shame, I like having all my Apple devices, that is what got them to get the iPhone 8, but going forward might mean I won’t be able to use the tools and features I use with them now. 😢

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