iPhone 16e goes on sale today: Should you buy it?

In India, the price of the iPhone 16e starts at Rs 59,900 for the 128GB variant, while the 256GB and 512GB models are priced at Rs 69,900 and Rs 89,900, respectively.

In Short

• The iPhone 16e is now available for purchase starting today, February 28
• The phone is powered by the 3nm A18 Pro chip and has 8GB RAM
• One of the standout features of this phone is its support for Apple Intelligence

The iPhone 16e, the latest addition to Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup, is now available for purchase starting today, February 28. Launched on February 21, the phone has been up for pre-orders since then and is now hitting both online and offline stores. With this launch, the iPhone 16 family is now complete, offering a total of five models to choose from. The iPhone 16e brings some notable features, including a 6.1-inch OLED display, the Action Button, the A18 chip with 8GB RAM, and support for Apple Intelligence. In India, the phone starts at Rs 59,900 for the 128GB variant, while the 256GB and 512GB models are priced at Rs 69,900 and Rs 89,900, respectively.

How to get the best deal on the iPhone 16e

If you’re looking to grab the iPhone 16e at the best possible price, Amazon is the place to go. While the phone is listed at Rs 59,900, there are ways to bring the price down significantly. For starters, if you have an ICICI Bank credit card (excluding Amazon Pay credit card) or Kotak Bank credit card, you can get an additional discount of Rs 4,000, reducing the effective price to Rs 55,900. On top of this, Amazon is offering attractive exchange deals that can further slash the price. Depending on the device you trade in, you could save up to Rs 48,900.

For example, trading in an iPhone SE 3 could get you an additional discount of Rs 9,850, bringing the final price down to Rs 46,050. Similarly, exchanging an older iPhone 11 could fetch you up to Rs 11,850 off, making the effective price Rs 44,050. The exact discount you receive will depend on the condition and model of your current device. To check the best offer for your phone, head over to Amazon, select the iPhone 16e in your preferred colour, and enter the details of your trade-in device. If your phone qualifies for the highest exchange value, you could walk away with an incredible deal.

Is the iPhone 16e worth buying?

Even without an exchange offer, the iPhone 16e starts at an effective price of Rs 55,900 after the bank discount, making it an excellent option for anyone looking to step into the Apple ecosystem. While the iPhone 16 might seem like a better deal for a slightly higher price, the iPhone 16e holds its own, especially if your budget is capped at Rs 60,000. Compared to other Apple models in this price range, the iPhone 16e offers a lot of value.

That said, the iPhone 16e does have a few limitations. It doesn’t support MagSafe accessories, and it lacks an ultra-wide-angle camera lens. However, it makes up for these shortcomings with its vibrant OLED display, the inclusion of the Action Button, support for Visual Intelligence, Apple’s custom C1 modem chip, the powerful A18 processor, 8GB RAM, and, of course, compatibility with Apple Intelligence.

When compared to older models like the iPhone 14 or even the iPhone 15, the iPhone 16e stands out as a better deal. The iPhone 15, for instance, usually costs between Rs 55,000 and Rs 60,000 but runs on the older A16 Bionic chip and doesn’t support Apple Intelligence features. The iPhone 16e, on the other hand, brings the latest technology and features at a competitive price point.

We’ll be putting the iPhone 16e through its paces in a detailed review soon, so stay tuned to our website for more insights.