iPhone 16e struggles to match SE legacy in Europe’s competitive midrange market

Apple’s attempt to reshape its midrange strategy with the iPhone 16e is off to a measured start in Europe. Introduced in February as a fresh alternative to the long-running SE line, the 16e has made an appearance on bestseller lists — but early sales figures suggest it’s falling short of the momentum seen by earlier budget-friendly iPhones.

According to Counterpoint Research, the iPhone 16e secured a spot among the top 10 smartphones sold in Europe in March. However, its share of Apple’s total iPhone sales in the region — and its overall impact on the market — was noticeably lower than previous launches. In contrast, the iPhone SE models of 2020 and 2022 ranked higher and drove stronger regional sales out of the gate.

Much of the drop-off appears to stem from pricing. The 16e starts at around €699 in most European markets — significantly more than the €519 and €479 price points of the 2022 and 2020 SE models, respectively. That gap has proven a hurdle in an increasingly price-sensitive landscape, where buyers are gravitating toward used or refurbished iPhones instead of brand-new, mid-tier options.

The challenge for Apple lies in the evolving definition of value. While the 16e offers a cleaner design and modern feature set compared to the SE, its higher cost may have pushed it out of reach for many buyers seeking affordability over aesthetics.

For now, the 16e’s performance signals a cautious reception rather than a breakout success. As Apple rethinks its place in the midrange space, the question remains whether premium branding alone can carry a product that’s priced like a flagship, but expected to perform like a bargain.