Apple introduces the iPhone 16e: The latest powerhouse joining the iPhone 16 squad.

Apple has unveiled the iPhone 16e, a long-awaited refresh of the iPhone SE, dropping the SE branding to align it with the flagship models. Starting at $599, it will ship on February 28.

A key feature is Apple Intelligence, which competes with services like ChatGPT and Gemini. It allows on-device generation of text summaries, letters, and images. The 16e is part of the iPhone 16 series and iPhone 15 Pro in supporting Apple Intelligence, thanks to the A18 chip. It also offers free access to ChatGPT via Siri, no OpenAI account needed.

The 16e is the first to feature Apple’s in-house modem, the C1, reducing dependence on third-party chips like Qualcomm and Intel. It ditches the Touch ID home button for Face ID and replaces the Lightning port with USB-C.

With a 6.1-inch OLED display, the 16e offers improved battery life up to 12 more hours than previous SE models. The rear camera is a 48-megapixel lens with 2x zoom, and the front houses Apple’s TrueDepth camera for Face ID.

The launch comes at a crucial time, as Apple faces an 11% market share drop in China. The company is working on localizing Apple Intelligence for China, with partnerships like Alibaba. The new 16e, priced $100 higher than the previous SE, aims to help Apple regain market share in key regions like China and India.

Preorders start February 21, with shipments beginning February 28.