Apple’s new iPhone 16e has been met with surprise and skepticism from iPhone SE owners, who are hesitant to upgrade due to its higher price point of $599. A recent survey of buying habits among Apple customers, particularly iPhone SE buyers, reveals a significant challenge for the company.
According to the CIRP report, iPhone SE owners have shown little interest in premium iPhone offerings. When asked about their previous device, 45% of SE buyers stated they had previously owned a “number” model iPhone and effectively traded down. This indicates that even users who had experienced more advanced iPhones were swayed by price to downgrade to an SE.
The new iPhone 16e’s starting price is significantly higher than the $429 price point of its predecessor, making it less appealing to budget-conscious iPhone SE owners. Carrier deals can help lower the entry price, but it remains uncertain whether these discounts will be enough to entice iPhone SE buyers to upgrade.
This raises concerns for Apple, as abandoning the budget smartphone market may not yield the desired results. The company’s strategy depends on convincing iPhone SE owners to choose more expensive models over cheaper alternatives. Only time will tell if this risk pays off.
Source: https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/06/iphone-16e-is-a-big-risk-for-apple-and-this-survey-shows-exactly-why