Tech Desk 
Apr 21, 2025
Despite doubts expressed by critics and tech reviewers, Apple’s iPhone 16e has unexpectedly become the company’s best-selling iPhone model.
It was launched in February, and for its costly price tag of $599, it met with confusion due to not-so-high-end specs.
The latest iPhone 16 model features a single camera, a lack of MagSafe, and an older notch design, but the market received it warmly, proving that most consumers value affordability over high-end features.
The iPhone 16e’s success has played a key role in Apple’s strong first-quarter performance. According to Counterpoint Research, Apple topped global smartphone shipments in Q1, with its sales rising by 4% on a year-on-year basis, an impressive milestone during a time which is usually dominated by Android releases.
One of the major reasons for the 16e’s popularity is its name. With “16” in the title, buyers see it as a new model, and at $200 less than the standard iPhone 16, it’s an appealing option.
Most users don’t miss extras like a telephoto lens or Dynamic Island, and prefer a device that simply works.
Especially popular among users upgrading from much older models, the iPhone 16e is powered by the A18 chip and runs iOS 18 smoothly, delivering strong performance at a lower cost.
