iPhone 16e has been available for roughly 5 months, and early sales analytics suggest that the entry-level model is already performing better than the iPhone SE once did. A report from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) reveals that during its initial complete quarter of availability, the iPhone 16e captured an impressive 11% of iPhone sales in the U.S. Conversely, the iPhone SE accounted for merely 5% of new iPhone sales in the same quarter of 2024.
Although both devices were marketed as budget-friendly iPhone alternatives, there must be a rationale behind the iPhone 16e’s greater appeal compared to the iPhone SE. The phenomenon becomes even more intriguing as the iPhone 16e is priced at $100 higher than the launch price of the iPhone SE.
A potential reason might be that the iPhone SE was simply too compact for numerous users. While I have always favored a smaller device, many consumers today seek a larger screen. Furthermore, as gadgets have become a bit lighter, the era of carrying around a bulky and weighty iPhone is largely behind us—unless, of course, one chooses an iPhone Pro Max.
