It was one of the most awaited announcements of this start of the year on the Western telephony market. Last week, Tim Cook already increased mayonnaise by announcing the presentation of a “New family member” February 19. Promise hold: Apple has unveiled the iPhone 16th, the most “affordable” iPhone on the market. Apple being what it is, its notion of affordable product is located in years that of consumers. Also, she was not going to deprive herself to free up generous margins while prices tend to fly away.
The almost successor of the iPhone SE 3 is therefore offered at a much higher price than its predecessor: count 719 euros for the most accessible model (128 GB), 849 euros for the intermediate version (256 GB) and up to 1,099 euros for the most muscular iPhone 16th (512 GB). For comparison, the iPhone SE 3 was offered at a rate of 579 euros in its 128 GB version, or 140 euros difference. But it was another era. Today, the smartphone segment at less than 500 euros is by far the most competitive.
Samsung and Apple share the biggest part of the cake on premium and ultra-premium segments. Their rivals therefore focus on volume products, with lower margins. Apple could very well have released an affordable iPhone in this price segment and release a sufficient market share to continue to fill its cash reserve. But maybe not important enough to satisfy shareholders.
But at Apple, the almost bankruptcy of the late 90s left traces. Cash is the assurance of dealing with rout, error or delay. For example, this security has made it possible to finance a electric car project with billions. He finally abandoned last year to focus on Apple Intelligence, the home AI which accuses a serious delay.
When it was necessary to design an affordable new iPhone, it was essential to leave no room for your competitors. Mission accomplished, Since the iPhone 16E is almost alone in this price segment. The iPhone 15, still in the catalog, costs 150 euros more and cannot accommodate Apple Intelligence (when it arrives). In addition, serious competitors are absent subscribers: only Samsung offers a FE model from its Premium Galaxy S range.
In order to justify this positioning, Apple had to build its proposal. When it was launched, the iPhone SE 3 had disappointed fans and observers when it was launched. The apple was therefore not entitled to error. The most technophiles will have a lot to criticize the very bad techno-prix of the iPhone 16th (and they will be right).
But we cannot withdraw from Apple to have known how to find an almost magical formula, combining recent technologies and components of another age. It should be effective enough to reach the very general public. Well played the artist.
Yes, the iPhone 16th is too expensive …
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Let’s dwell on the new arrival for a few moments, starting with its strengths. First, it has the A18 chip, almost the same as the whole iPhone 16 range (that of the 16th is amputated with a GPU heart). Above all, it allows the iPhone 16th to welcome Apple Intelligence, whose French landing was postponed (once again) next April.
The iPhone 16th also inaugurates Apple C1, the first house modem Supporting 5G and WiFi 6. According to Bloombergthis chip would have cost billions of dollars in R&D. This debauchery of means is justified by the desire to reduce the electricity consumption of the iPhone. SElon Apple, the iPhone 16th is the most enduring model in history. Collateral benefit, this chip lays the basics of an even more efficient house modem – and above all cheaper because developed internally – for future models.
Finally, the most affordable iPhone adopts an OLED panel larger as well as a more modern design. The removal of Touch ID reduces the black borders surrounding the screen. The iPhone 16th is also waterproof, more solid and should have a lifespan of at least 6 years if Apple sticks to its usual update calendar.
Add to this compatibility with wireless load, the integration of a USB-C port (compulsory in Europe) as well as the same photo sensor as the iPhone 16. On paper, all these technologies for 719 euros, C is the affair of the century.
This is how Apple presents the iPhone 16th. On its official website, you can read the slogan: “The latest iPhone, at the best price”. Yes … but no.
The iPhone 16th has only one photo sensor. Users must do without ultra-angle and telephoto lens, equipment yet present on models sold half cheaper. Apple will always be able to claim that the general public does not use these focal lengths little. This is not what INSEE figures say. Photographic equipment is in fact classified in fourth position of the main purchase criteriabehind autonomy, bone and storage.
Another unpleasant surprise: the wireless load is limited to the Qi standard (7.5 W), ultra-listed. No Magsafe, yet can be expensive to integrate, nor Qi 2. USB-C is also a discount version, the brightness of the screen is low, the refresh frequency caps at 60 Hz (like the iPhone 16 ). Finally, the chassis and the notch are components borrowed from the iPhone 14, therefore dated.
From a purely technical point of view, The iPhone 16th therefore displays an uncompetitive techno-prix report. Smartphones sold less than 500 euros offer more recent technologies offering a much more attractive experience. For example, we think of the Pixel 8A (soon a 9a pixel), sold around 500 euros or at the Galaxy A of Samsung.
… but he will sell out by pallets
Any expert in new technologies, somewhat objective, will not be able to refute the excessive price of the iPhone 16th. Yet, Apple may well make its bestseller in 2025. Because being satisfied with a price/technology comparison would be ignored what makes the iPhone successful.
Apple has built a solid reputation on the market, a brand image that no other manufacturer managed to reproduce in almost twenty years. The iPhone remains the iPhone. The market shares bear witness to this appetite for its star product.
For several years now, “the iPhone last year” has occupied the first 3 places in the best world sales. In the top 10, there are 7 iPhone! The iPhone 16th meets the expectations of buyer profiles as varied as teens, the very general public, seniors or households in finances modest.
Moreover, Half of smartphones sales are still made in operators Thanks to subsidies when subscribing to a subscription. The iPhone 16th is the ideal candidate for fitting with arm wraps with an ultra-competitive call price. Apple can therefore count on its partners to offer its iPhone 16th at a very attractive price from the launch.
Ultimately, the iPhone 16th meets the main purchase criteria: Endurance, simplicity of use substantial storage and effective camera for sharing life momnets on social networks. With the added bonus, the power of the A18 chip which guarantees use for at least 5 years, while the renewal frequency is around 3 years.
Whatever you think, Apple’s strategy is running. The iPhone 16th will undoubtedly sell out of pallets, enough for the manufacturer to continue to fill its cash reserve. No offense to haters, the Apple recipe is always a success.
