iPhone 16e Sales Lag Behind SE Models Despite Bestseller Status

[MacRumors]

The iPhone 16e is one of Europe's top-selling smartphones, yet its early sales figures still lagged significantly behind those of Apple's previous mid-tier models, according to Counterpoint Research.

iPhone 16e launched in February, marking the company's first attempt in recent years to redefine its mid-range offerings with a product distinct from its "SE" branding. Despite debuting on Europe's Top 10 smartphones list in its first full month of availability, the model failed to match the initial traction of its predecessors.

Counterpoint Research finds that the iPhone 16e was the ninth best-selling smartphone in Europe in March, representing 8% of Apple's total iPhone sales in the region and 2% of the broader smartphone market. In Western Europe, the device performed slightly better, securing the seventh position overall.

However, the iPhone 16e's early performance marks a clear departure from the success of the iPhone SE models that preceded it. The third-generation iPhone SE from 2022 ranked sixth on the same European bestseller list during its first month and accounted for 12% of Apple's regional iPhone sales.

The second-generation iPhone SE from 2020 performed even more strongly, achieving third place overall and making up 19% of Apple's European iPhone sales in its debut month. Compared to these benchmarks, iPhone 16e sales were down 17% versus the iPhone SE (2022) and down 20% compared to the iPhone SE (2020), according to Counterpoint.

Unsurprisingly, the primary reason identified for the iPhone 16e's weaker debut is its higher launch price. The iPhone 16e generally starts at €699 in Europe. This is a significant increase over the iPhone SE (2022), which debuted at €519, and the iPhone SE (2020), which launched at €479.

Additionally, the mid-tier smartphone market in Europe is increasingly price-sensitive; consumers are showing increased interest in refurbished and second-hand iPhones, which further complicates Apple's efforts to drive volume through new mid-range hardware.

Article Link: iPhone 16e Sales Lag Behind SE Models Despite Bestseller Status

 

[sniffies]

I'm sure iPhone 26e will fix that.

 

[MacUserFella]

Is this really a surprise? Apple launched a “budget” iPhone at $599

 

[titanium69]

Apple should pull out of europe…
Ohh Wait.. sorry… mistake.. I’m so used to just writing I didn’t even think it might not make sense

 

[TechRunner]

The majority of people I know don't care about specs and mainly shop price. When I start blathering on about the spec sheet, their eyes glaze over.

 

[CWallace]

The majority of people I know don't care about specs and mainly shop price. When I start blathering on about the spec sheet, their eyes glaze over.

And if they do care about specs, they can get more with the previous generation main model (which is either still on sale as new or via refurbishment which is effectively new).

 

[turbineseaplane]

Apple priced it too high for what it is.

Yes, it was intentional, I know.
They likely wanted to use this release as an "opportunity" to raise the floor on all new iPhone prices.

😕

 

[kiranmk2]

If this keeps up, we may see that iPhone 16e Mini after all (at $499).

 

[BillyBobBongo]

I'm still rocking an old SE, I'll hold on to it as long as I can. I always buy the cheapest iPhone I can when my old one dies, the jump in specs is always more than I need. A phone for me is purely a communication tool.

 

[turbineseaplane]

If this keeps up, we may see that iPhone 16e Mini after all (at $499).

Sign me up!
Although, it'd suck to lose MagSafe (or w/e the specific downgrade is around that point)

 

[jz0309]

So what are worldwide numbers?

 

[JTK Awesome]

Is this really a surprise? Apple launched a “budget” iPhone at $599

Yup. Apple is asking people to pay too much for too little. The market has spoken.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Is this really a surprise? Apple launched a “budget” iPhone at $599

In the US (and Canada), it's often "free" with a trade on post-paid plans, and for a while, you could buy it up-front on prepaid for $300...but I know in Europe, it's different. I don't know many people that buy their phone from Apple directly...actually I'm the only one I know that does it.

It's also a popular corporate phone, and they don't really care about the price as much.

All that said, they did price it too high. It should have stayed at the SE price.

 

[Slash787]

Not surprised at all, a mini phone would have been a better option, I would rather buy the 15 or 16 rather than the 16e, other companies are providing better phones and a cheaper price than the 16e.

 

[anwedr]

Bring back the mini with a lower price to compete with the “e” version. Oh, and MagSafe too.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Personally, I'm delighted to see this.

What Apple most needs right now is a load of humble pie.

Luckily, they have been getting a fair bit of it from a variety of directions.

 

[TechRunner]

And if they do care about specs, they can get more with the previous generation main model (which is either still on sale as new or via refurbishment which is effectively new).

Exactly. When the 15PM came out, a friend grabbed the 14PM at a nice discount (EDIT: He was using a 13 at the time). There was little to distinguish one from the other for his uses, certainly not enough to justify the price difference.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Exactly. When the 15PM came out, a friend grabbed the 14PM at a nice discount. There was little to distinguish one from the other for his uses, certainly not enough to justify the price difference.

One benefit of them "innovating" so little in the last few years is that almost nobody can tell if you have a brand new iPhone, or one that is literally 4 years old.

(I could care less, but I do know people who are that consumed with vanity, sadly)

 

[crisneat]

The iPhone 16e’s performance shows that brand strength alone isn’t enough to guarantee success in the mid segment, especially in a price sensitive market like Europe.
By moving away from the SE branding and significantly increasing the entry price, Apple may have misjudged what this customer base is actually looking for.
The demand for refurbished iPhones only reinforces that consumers are being more pragmatic with their spending

 

[turbineseaplane]

Apple may have misjudged what this customer base is actually looking for.

Shades of the Vision Pro

 

[TechRunner]

One benefit of them "innovating" so little in the last few years is that almost nobody can tell if you have a brand new iPhone, or one that is literally 4 years old.

(I could care less, but I do know people who are that consumed with vanity, sadly)

It's funny. I get asked the "Which PM phone is that?" question all the time because they are hard to tell apart for many. Usually showing them the Camera Control gives it away, but not always.

 

[turbineseaplane]

It's funny. I get asked the "Which PM phone is that?" question all the time because they are hard to tell apart for many. Usually showing them the Camera Control gives it away, but not always.

I've been asked about my very old SE1s when out on my daily walks!

"What is that!?"

 

[ChrisMac47]

It should have been a mini. The 16e is just not attractive. Apple have lost their way.

 

[arkitect]

Interesting reading comments here.

I've never been asked what phone I use and I also don't tend to notice other people's phones.

But I do notice that they are always occupied with them… all the time.

🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[cjsuk]

I think the iPhone 16e situation was outlined nicely by a comment from a friend the other day to another one "why the **** did you buy that when you can get a 15 for the same price?"