iPhone 16e Wows Europe, Outperforming the iPhone 15 in Surprising Ways
Apple recently launched the iPhone 16e at the end of February 2025, a surprising move, especially since the company had not updated its budget-friendly iPhone SE series since 2022. The demand for a more affordable iPhone appears to be significant, as evidenced by the iPhone 16e quickly entering the top 10 smartphones in Europe, according to the latest data from Counterpoint Research.
Less than a month after its release, the iPhone 16e garnered 2% of all smartphone sales in Europe for March 2025. It surpassed the older iPhone 15 in popularity but fell short of competing with Samsung’s budget models, such as the Galaxy A16 and Galaxy A55.
Interestingly, the entire iPhone 16 family, with the exception of the Plus model, made the top rankings. The iPhone 16 Pro took the lead, followed by the Pro Max, the standard iPhone 16, and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25.
Despite launching with a retail price of $599—considered pricey for a budget phone—the iPhone 16e has been well-received. While not the cheapest option on the market, the success highlights a customer desire for a more wallet-friendly iPhone.
Reports indicate that Apple’s Q1 sales benefited significantly from the iPhone 16e’s performance. Following the iPhone 16e’s successful launch, rumors have surfaced suggesting Apple might turn this model into an annual offering.
Speculation has already arisen about the potential release of the iPhone 17e in May 2026. Though it’s early to predict specific changes, it seems likely that Apple is encouraged to expand its “e” series to capture further market interest.
