Apple's Cheapest iPhone Now Starts at $599

Ahead of the launch of the iPhone 16e, rumors suggested that Apple would target a price point at or below $500 to stay within the range of prior low-cost iPhone options and to encourage sales, but Apple opted for a higher starting cost.

iphone 16e
The ‌iPhone 16e‌ is priced starting at $599 for 128GB of storage, and it is now Apple's cheapest ‌iPhone‌ option, even in countries like India where more affordable iPhones often sell well.

The now-discontinued ‌iPhone‌ SE started at $429, so it has become $170 more expensive to get an entry-level ‌iPhone‌.

Apple raised the price of the ‌iPhone 16e‌ because it has a modern design, more expensive A18 chip with Apple Intelligence support, an Action Button, Face ID, and a higher starting storage. The increase in cost will improve Apple's average ‌iPhone‌ selling price, but it could put the device out of range of some customers.

Here is Apple's new pricing lineup, with the ‌iPhone 16e‌ included:

  • ‌iPhone 16e‌ - Starting at $599
  • ‌iPhone‌ 15 - Starting at $699
  • ‌iPhone‌ 15 Plus - Starting at $799
  • iPhone 16 - Starting at $799
  • ‌iPhone 16‌ Plus - Starting at $899
  • ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro - Starting at $999
  • ‌iPhone 16‌ Pro Max - Starting at $1,199

The ‌iPhone 16e‌ is available for pre-order on Friday, with a launch to follow on February 28.

Related Roundup: iPhone 16e
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 16e (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...
apple store down feature

Here's Why the Apple Store is Going Down

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:01 pm PST by
Apple's online store is going down for a few hours on a rolling country-by-country basis right now, but do not get your hopes up for new products. Apple takes its online store down for a few hours ahead of Black Friday every year to tease/prepare for its annual gift card offer with the purchase of select products. The store already went down and came back online in Australia and New Zealand, ...
streaming black friday 2025

Best Black Friday Streaming Deals - Save Big on Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:14 pm PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
iphone air camera

iPhone Air Flop Sparks Industry Retreat From Ultra-Thin Phones

Thursday November 27, 2025 3:14 am PST by
Apple's disappointing iPhone Air sales are causing major Chinese mobile vendors to scrap or freeze their own ultra-thin phone projects, according to reports coming out of Asia. Since the ‌iPhone Air‌ launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales and manufacturing cuts, while Apple's supply chain has scaled back shipments and production. Apple supplier Foxconn has...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: Apple's Big Plans for iPad Mini 8

Friday November 28, 2025 8:39 am PST by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through the latest rumors about Apple's upcoming iPad mini 8. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos The next-generation version of the iPad mini is expected to feature an OLED display, as part of Apple's plan to expand the display technology across many more of its devices. Apple's first OLED device was the Apple...
Cyber Monday Deals 2025

Best Cyber Monday Apple Deals Include Big Discounts on AirPods, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 30, 2025 7:33 am PST by
Now that Black Friday is in the rearview mirror, Cyber Monday discounts have begun appearing online, and you can find popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more at all-time low prices. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may ...

Top Rated Comments

CaféPicasso Avatar
10 months ago
"e" for embarrassing
I mean 599,00.. really?
I'm sorry for anyone who buys this
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
10 months ago
Cheap is the right word

[S]$100[/S] $170 price hike from the SE and no MagSafe on a brand new model in 2025...

A new low for Tim

Also, compared to the SE3, it's heavier, taller, wider and thicker


(edited price hike # - thank you @Electroni )
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Electroni Avatar
10 months ago

Cheap is the right word

$100 price hike from the SE and no MagSafe on a brand new model in 2025...

A new low for Tim

Also, compared to the SE3, it's heavier, taller, wider and thicker
Actually, it’s a $170 over the previous base “budget” model. That’s a 40% increase. Ridiculous doesn’t begin to describe it.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iPay Avatar
10 months ago

Apple raised the price of the iPhone 16e because it has a modern design, more expensive A18 chip with Apple Intelligence support, an Action Button, Face ID, and a higher starting storage.
Or just because $$$
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Veinticinco Avatar
10 months ago
Calling it now. This iPhone 16e will go the same way as the iPhone 5c.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
d5aqoëp Avatar
10 months ago
This is an extremely poor choice compared to regular 16 which has "far superior" Qualcomm modem and just better all-round specs. The display is also junk tier slow-motion 60hz. Here in India, the regular 16 is many times offered for same price as 16E with various discounts. For me this is a "product launch pricing" fail !
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)