SEOUL – Apple has announced the release of its new entry-level smartphone, the iPhone 16e, formerly known as the iPhone SE 4th generation. The device boasts performance comparable to the flagship iPhone 16 and includes artificial intelligence (AI) features.

Starting February 28th, Apple will roll out the iPhone 16e series sequentially by region. South Korea is among the first countries to launch the device. The iPhone 16e is the successor to the iPhone SE 3rd generation released in 2022. However, starting with this generation, the company has dropped the "SE" moniker in favor of "e," positioning it as a powerful new member of the iPhone 16 family.

Unlike previous SE models that used older chipsets, the iPhone 16e is equipped with the same A18 mobile application processor (AP) found in the iPhone 16, narrowing the performance gap. While it has the same number of CPU cores (6), it features one less GPU core (4). It also packs 8 gigabytes (GB) of RAM and Apple's first in-house developed C1 modem chip. With significantly improved basic performance, the device supports Apple Intelligence, enabling users to leverage AI-powered features for image generation, spell checking, and camera functions. Although it doesn't introduce groundbreaking innovations, the fact that AI intelligence is available in an entry-level model is noteworthy.

Consequently, the price is not exactly budget-friendly, starting at $599 in the United States. While it's $200 lower than the base model of the iPhone 16 ($799), it's $170 more expensive than the entry-level model released three years ago ($429). The increased base price, coupled with the high exchange rate, pushes the starting price in South Korea to 990,000 won. This has led the market to anticipate that the device will compete with Samsung Electronics' Galaxy FE series, which is comparable to the Galaxy flagship model, rather than the Galaxy A series in the mid-range market.

An industry insider predicts that the iPhone 16e will appeal to existing iPhone users with limited budgets, such as college students and young people, who are looking to upgrade their devices. The device offers flagship-level specifications at a lower price point, potentially stimulating new product purchases among those who often seek older models in the secondhand market.