Recently, Apple unveiled its entry-level product 'iPhone 16e' after three years, promoting it as 'a remarkable value.' However, criticism that it is a product that sacrifices cost-performance ratio (value for money) is spreading among consumers. There were expectations that Apple would enhance its price competitiveness by equipping it with its own modem chip, rather than Qualcomm's chipset for the first time, but the launch price was set at around 1 million won, which is 400,000 won higher than the previous model (iPhone SE3). This is in contrast to Samsung Electronics, which equipped all of its new models with the higher-priced Qualcomm chipset compared to last year but froze the prices of the previous models.
◇ Apple presents 'a remarkable value'… price is 'a remarkable mistake'
According to industry sources on the 21st, negative evaluations regarding the product price have poured in from IT influencers since Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e, the successor to the entry-level model 'iPhone SE3' on the 20th. IT YouTuber 'ITSub' with 2.65 million subscribers stated in a video titled 'A crazy price that even Apple fans might want to cut ties' that 'the entry-level iPhone has now lost its price merit.'
The official launch price of the iPhone 16e in Korea starts from 990,000 won (128GB). While it is 260,000 won cheaper than the iPhone 16 (starting at 1,250,000 won) released in the second half of last year, it is 400,000 won more expensive than the iPhone SE3 (starting at 590,000 won). While Apple promoted the iPhone 16e through its website as a product with 'a remarkable value,' criticisms calling the price 'a remarkable mistake' are emerging in online communities. The price difference between the iPhone SE3 and the iPhone SE2 (starting at 539,000 won) was only 51,000 won.
An industry official noted, 'Although the iPhone 16e comes equipped with Apple's self-developed mobile application processor (AP) and modem chipset (C1), which could allow for price reductions, the price has been set high.' They also mentioned, 'Even considering the high exchange rate, the increase is too large.' Industry insiders estimate that Apple set the domestic launch price of the iPhone based on an exchange rate of 1,502 won per dollar. The exchange rate on the day of the iPhone 16e's announcement, the 20th, was 1,436 won per dollar.
◇ Removed 'SE' and named it 'iPhone 16', but performance difference is significant
Apple had used the name 'iPhone SE' for its third-generation entry-level products but changed the name to iPhone 16e this time. Although it carries the name iPhone 16, there is a significant difference in performance. While the same mobile AP chipset (A18) is used in the iPhone 16e, a closer look at the specifications shows there is a difference in the number of GPU cores. The AP of the iPhone 16 contains a 5-core GPU, while the iPhone 16e is equipped with a 4-core GPU.
In terms of wireless charging performance, the iPhone 16 is overwhelmingly faster. The iPhone 16 supports up to 25W of fast wireless charging, whereas the iPhone 16e can only handle up to 7.5W of wireless charging. Additionally, the magnetic attachment technology for wireless charging and accessory consolidation, MagSafe, is not supported on the iPhone 16e. The ultra-wide camera is also absent from the iPhone 16e.
IT YouTuber 'Juyun', who has 720,000 subscribers, commented, 'I think it might be better to spend an additional 260,000 won to buy the iPhone 16' and added, 'The Galaxy S25 is currently priced at 1,080,000 won based on Coupang's discounted price, so it might be difficult for it to receive good reviews in Korea.'
◇ AI Korean support to start in April… 'With this money, it's better to buy the Galaxy S25'
Apple emphasized that even though the iPhone 16e is an entry-level product, it offers artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. However, in Korea, AI services will only be available in Korean starting from April. For domestic consumers, where AI features are significant, interest in the immediately available Galaxy S25 may inevitably grow over the iPhone 16e, which will have its AI features rolled out late.
The price is also expected to play a significant role. The price difference between the Galaxy S25 (256GB, 1,155,000 won) and the iPhone 16e (256GB, 1,140,000 won) is only 15,000 won. While the iPhone 16e is an entry-level model, the Galaxy S25 is a flagship model, which is another point of difference. A representative from a telecommunications distribution point noted, 'There have been many inquiries about pre-ordering the iPhone 16e, but many customers think it is more advantageous to buy a Galaxy S25 or an iPhone 16 with this money.'