Want to save even more on a new iPhone 16e? Don't miss these top Australian preorder offers

The iPhone 16E, with a black colourway and a white colourway model behind a view of the device's screen

(Image credit: Future)

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FAQ
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Specs comparison

After months of rumours and excitement, the iPhone SE 4 is finally here – and it's not an iPhone SE at all. Proving the majority of rumours wrong, Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e, expanding the iPhone 16 family to five with a AU$999 smartphone powerful enough to handle Apple Intelligence, and preorders went live at 12:00am AEDT on Saturday February 22. The device will become available on February 28, so you've still got plenty of time to get the early-bird deals that are available.

Powered by the same 3-nanometer A18 chip that motors the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, the iPhone 16e offers a more affordable route to a near-flagship Apple experience. Of course, the drastically cut costs have seen the iPhone 16e fall short of its mainline siblings in some key areas – namely a single 48MP 2-in-1 camera and the return of the notch featuring a 12MP TrueDepth camera as opposed to the dynamic island we've gotten used to.

However, the best cheap phones offer a near-premium experience despite those cost-cutting efforts, and Apple's new affordable smartphone looks to do just that with its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, aluminium build and IP68 durability. It even has the iPhone 16's Action Button, wireless charging and a supposed 26 hours of video playback on a single charge thanks to the additional power efficiency provided by Apple's all-new C1 modem chip, which is massively impressive for a sub AU$1000 smartphone.

If you're ensconced in the Apple family, but have been putting off upgrading due to high costs of even older iPhone models, the iPhone 16e offers a much more affordable option just as previous generations of iPhone SE have done – though it has dropped the SE's exciting colours, coming only in Black and White

As with any big release from a major phone manufacturer, the top Australian Telcos like Vodafone and Optus, and key retailers like Apple, JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys are all in on the action, with some enticing deals to boot. Whether you're looking for the best price, trade-in deal or the best iPhone 16e plan, we've got everything you need below.

Best iPhone 16e preorder deals

iPhone 16e (128GB) | AU$10 plan discount plus double data

Vodafone is offering the best SIM plan between Australia's big three telcos by far right now, and that doesn't change for the iPhone 16e. On all three of its plans, you get double data and a AU$10 discount over the first 12 months, making this the best option for value hunters and data munchers alike. The Small plan costs only AU$80.62 over the first 12 months, before it spikes to AU$90.62 – which is still AU$3 cheaper than Optus' offering. Plus you get three free months of Binge!

FAQ

When do iPhone 16e preorders go live?

The iPhone 16e on an orange background — (Image credit: Apple / Future)

With the iPhone 16e went live for preorder at 12:00am AEDT, Saturday February 22 from Apple and the retailers above. As for when it will become available properly, Apple's new affordability-focused iPhone will be available for regular purchase on February 28.

iPhone 16e: key information

We know… everything! Well, everything we can know without having it in our hands – but be sure to keep an eye on our phones coverage so you get our thoughts as soon as we go hands-on to see if it's a contender for our best phones list. We're still musing about what the 'e' in iPhone 16e actually means, though.

Interested in upgrading to what we were sure was going to be the iPhone SE 4? Here's everything you need to know about the iPhone 16e, how it differs to its iPhone 16 family, and whether it's the right iPhone for you.

The iPhone 16e is basically this generation's iPhone SE, but its AU$999 price point is much more expensive than the AU$719 launch price of the iPhone SE 2022. In fact, it's a lot closer in price to what you'll find an iPhone 14 for in 2025 – so it comes as no surprise that the iPhone 14 has been discontinued by Apple at the same time.

Now, if the 6.1-inch display of the iPhone 16e and iPhone 16 is smaller than you're willing to go for, the cheapest iPhone you can buy with a large display, from Apple at least, is the AU$1,399 iPhone 15 Plus.

Crucially, and what makes it capable of powering Apple Intelligence when even the iPhone 15 cannot, is that the iPhone 16e sports the same 3-nanometer A18 processor boasted by the iPhone 16. It also steals the iPhone 16's Action Button, along with being able to run Visual Intelligence – letting you point the camera at animals, plants, restaurants and even event flyers to get information.

That's about where the similarities between the mainline family and its affordable sibling end. And the price difference is most obvious in the 16e's camera offerings, with just a singular 48MP camera that shoots at 24MP by default (and up to 4K 60fps video), compared to the iPhone 16 dual array of the iPhone 16.

One positive is the 16e's Super Retina XDR display, which is nice to have at an affordable price point. However, for many users, this screen is quickly tarnished by the notch featuring a 12MP TrueDepth camera, as opposed to the Dynamic Island feature introduced by the iPhone 14 Pro. It does, however, enable Face ID.

On top of that, the iPhone 16e boasts a notable technological update – Apple's C1 chip, its first homegrown cellular modem. We don't know much about it, but Apple claims its added power efficiency provides up to 26 hours of video playback on a single charge – four hours more than the iPhone 16.

As for its build, Apple has armoured the display with a ceramic shield and the device itself is made with pace-grade aluminium, and it also offers an IP68 rating that matches the durability of the entire iPhone 16 family.

What's new?

While it might not be the iPhone SE 4 we thought it was going to be (well, not explicitly), there are a few key things to know about the all-new iPhone 16e.

AU$999 starting price
Apple's C1 chip, its first homegrown cellular modem
Action Button programmable to run Visual Intelligence
2-in-1 fusion 48MP camera

iPhone 16e: specs comparison

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Row 0 - Cell 0	iPhone 16e	iPhone 15	iPhone 16	iPhone 16 Pro
Starting price	AU$999	AU$1,249	AU$1,399	AU$1,799
Dimensions	146.7 x 71.5 x 7.80mm	147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80mm	147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8mm	149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25mm
Weight	167g	171g	170g	199g
Display	6.1-inch OLED	6.1-inch OLED	6.1-inch OLED	6.3-inch OLED
Resolution	2532 x 1170 pixels	2556 x 1179 pixels	2556 x 1179 pixels	2622 x 1206 pixels
Refresh rate	60Hz	60Hz	60Hz	Adaptive 1-120Hz
Chip	A18	A16	A18	A18 Pro
Rear cameras	48MP fusion	48MP main, 12MP ultrawide	48MP main,12MP ultra-wide	48MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom
Front camera	12MP	12MP	12MP	12MP
Storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

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A Digital Content Writer for the Australian TechRadar team, Max covers all things tech and lifestyle and is keen on using tech to make life easier. A 2023 journalism graduate, Max has written across sports, entertainment and business for brands like Zero Digital Media and Valnet.Inc, but found his love for tech in his time at GadgetUser. At home when covering everything from the latest deal and coupon code to the most recent streaming service output, phone or smartwatch, Max excels at using his research, experience and writing ability give you more time to use your tech, not waste time finding it.

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