The new iPhone 16e is selling better than its predecessor SE and even 15 Plus

In the first quarter of 2025, CIRP (Consumer Intelligence Research Partners) analysts recorded an increase in the popularity of the iPhone 16e, Apple's new budget smartphone. It gained 7% of all iPhone sales in the US, while the iPhone SE 2022 had only 5% in the same period a year earlier.

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In 2025, the SE's share fell to 1%, with users choosing this model less and less.

The iPhone 16e also proved to be more popular than some other Apple models. For example, the iPhone 15 Plus showed a 3% share, and the 14 Plus - only 2%. Even with the simplified configuration without MagSafe, UWB for AirTag pinpointing or all GPU cores, the model demonstrates stable demand. The success is attributed to its attractive design, similar to the iPhone 14, and the new A18 processor, which gives it a performance advantage.

The iPhone 14 is still ahead of the 16e with an 8% market share, likely due to the lower price of refurbished versions - currently available for $338. However, the 16e model is more up-to-date and has a more modern chip.

Among all the new iPhone 16s in 2025, the iPhone 16 Pro Max was chosen by the most buyers - 21% of sales. This is followed by the basic iPhone 16 with 20%, iPhone 16 Pro with 17%, and 16 Plus with 9%.

Thus, the iPhone 16e has become the least popular among the new models, but still has better sales than its predecessor and some older devices.

As a reminder, the success of the MacBook Air allowed Apple to become the leader in PC sales growth in the global market in Q1 2025

Source: CIRP