If you've been rocking an older iPhone or even an SE for the last few years, the 16e is well worth the upgrade. Here's why. For reference, the iPhone 16e is basically the body of an iPhone 14 with some newer stuff inside of it. Here's how that all shakes out.

Three years have passed between the release of the third-generation iPhone SE and the iPhone 16E, Apple's latest budget phone. That's a relatively long time for mobile developments to evolve -- and for the sticker price to rise alongside those improvements.

The iPhone 16e replaces the iPhone SE as Apple's cheapest iPhone. So, is it an easy decision to upgrade or does the big price hike a deal-breaker?

The iPhone 16e doesn't have massive bezels like the iPhone SE, but it doesn't have Dynamic Island, either. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable Apple's most affordable iPhone 16 is pretty great when compared to other members of the iPhone 16 family.

He swiped around for a second and said, “Oh. It’s just like my phone.” It is just like his phone — a six-year-old iPhone XR — only updated with a few essential improvements (a faster processor, nicer screen,

Before the iPhone 16e’s arrival, the best budget iPhone option was the SE, which had a decade-plus-old design and a tiny IPS screen with a lower resolution and an IPS panel. Replacing the SE with a product with modern design, top-tier specs, and Apple Intelligence is a major leap forward for Apple’s entry-level smartphone.

A rumor from some weeks back is suddenly gathering steam, suggesting a different iPhone is on the brink of release.

Going from the 3rd generation SE to the 16e is a big step up. But is it worth the money? Here's what you need to know.

Apple delivered its latest budget handset, the $599 iPhone 16e, without pomp. There was no big event in person, nor was there one online. No journalists