Budget iPhone 16e Lacks This Key Location-Finding Feature
Apple's latest budget-friendly iPhone 16e won't support Precision Finding features, because the device lacks Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology found in other iPhone 16 models.
The omission of UWB technology means iPhone 16e users won't be able to take advantage of precise location tracking features that have become increasingly useful in Apple devices. This includes the inability to use Precision Finding with AirPods Pro 2, locate other iPhone users with pinpoint accuracy, or enjoy quick pairing with a HomePod mini.
Apple's decision to exclude UWB is likely to be part of a broader strategy to differentiate the iPhone 16e from its premium peers while keeping costs down.
The iPhone 16e's feature reductions extend beyond UWB, as the device also lacks MagSafe charging capabilities and Thread radio support, the relatively new smart home connectivity standard. It's worth keeping these omissions in mind if you are weighing up the budget model as an alternative the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup.
iPhone 16e pre-orders open this Friday at 5 a.m. Pacific Time in nearly 60 countries, and the device launches on Friday, February 28.
Popular Stories
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026.
"I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April.
Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014.
This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld.
The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld.
Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do.
The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up.
Upgraded Architecture
The next-generation...
