Apple marketed the iPhone 16e as budget-friendly, but Its expensive says SellCell!

The iPhone 16e has been out for a few weeks now, and as the excitement settles, one thing is becoming clear: most people think it’s overpriced.

Apple positioned the iPhone 16e as a more budget-friendly option, but a recent survey by SellCell, which polled over 3,500 Apple users, suggests otherwise. An overwhelming 90% of respondents believe the phone is too expensive for what it offers.

A Price Hike That’s Hard to Ignore

Before launch, many expected Apple’s latest "affordable" iPhone to be priced around $500 / £500 / AU$800. However, Apple surprised everyone by setting the base price at $599 / £599 / AU$999—a significant jump from the previous iPhone SE, which cost $429 / £429 / AU$719 at launch in 2022.

While the iPhone 16e does come with some solid upgrades—including the powerful A18 chip, 8GB of RAM, and Apple Intelligence support—users aren’t convinced it justifies the price. The survey found that:

72.7% of respondents think the iPhone 16e should have been priced at $500.

More than 70% are unimpressed with the phone overall.

Over 50% won’t consider it due to its single-camera setup.

34% prefer to invest in a high-end iPhone instead.

16.1% dislike the lack of MagSafe support.

Tough Competition at a High Price

Compared to its rivals, the iPhone 16e’s price tag is even harder to justify. The Google Pixel 8a ($499 / £499 / AU$849) and the Nothing Phone 3a Pro ($459 / £449 / AU$849) offer similar, if not better, specs for a lower cost. Plus, with just a 60Hz display and a notch design, some users feel the iPhone 16e already looks outdated.

The Bottom Line

While the iPhone 16e is technically more affordable than the iPhone 16 ($799 / £799 / AU$1,399), many believe it doesn't offer enough value for the price. The $170 / £170 / AU$280 price jump from the iPhone SE 2022 is tough to swallow, and for those looking for the best bang for their buck, the standard iPhone 16 may be the better option.

What do you think? Is the iPhone 16e worth the price, or has Apple miscalculated? Let us know in the comments!

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