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Apple launches iPhone 16e: A budget-friendly contender with a game-changing feature

Apple has introduced the iPhone 16e, an entry-level model featuring the A18 chip and Apple’s first in-house 5G modem. Priced at Rs59,900, it aims to attract cost-conscious buyers in India and beyond.

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Apple iPhone 16e with Apple-designed modem launched

Apple has launched the iPhone 16e, a new entry-level model in its iPhone 16 series, aimed at price-conscious consumers in markets like India and China. The phone, priced at Rs59,900, is nearly as powerful as the standard iPhone 16 but comes with a few trade-offs to keep costs down. Pre-orders begin this Friday, with sales commencing on February 28.

Performance and features: More power at a lower cost

The iPhone 16e is powered by the A18 chip, the same processor used in Apple’s flagship iPhone 16 lineup. It features a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID housed in a display notch, a customizable Action Button, and a USB-C port—first introduced with the iPhone 15. However, the biggest highlight of the iPhone 16e is Apple’s first-ever in-house cellular modem, marking a strategic shift away from reliance on Qualcomm’s 5G modems. Apple claims this new modem, paired with the A18 chip and iOS 18, delivers superior battery life.

The device comes with a 48MP single-lens camera instead of the dual-camera setup found on the standard iPhone 16. Additionally, it supports Apple Intelligence, making it the most affordable iPhone with AI capabilities.

Shifting strategies: Why Apple dropped the “SE” branding

Unlike previous budget-friendly models, Apple has moved away from branding the iPhone 16e as an “SE” model. The iPhone SE series has historically struggled to match the sales of mainstream iPhones, despite offering lower prices. By rebranding the device as part of the iPhone 16 series, Apple aims to make the 16e more appealing to consumers who may have previously overlooked the SE lineup.

Market data reveals that the third-generation iPhone SE underperformed compared to its predecessor, selling only 35.2 million units, significantly lower than the iPhone 13’s 137.4 million units. Apple appears to be shifting its approach to cater to consumers upgrading from older models like the iPhone XR and iPhone 11, rather than competing with mid-range Android devices.

Can the iPhone 16e succeed in India and Europe?

Apple has recently made significant inroads in India, becoming one of the top five smartphone brands in the country with a 9% market share in the last quarter of 2024. However, competition is fierce, with budget-conscious buyers often opting for premium second-hand models or flagship Android devices.

Meanwhile, in Europe, Apple needed a mid-range offering to replace older models like the iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and third-generation iPhone SE, which were phased out to comply with the EU’s USB-C mandate. With upcoming eco-design regulations set to take effect in June 2025, Apple appears to be aligning its strategy with evolving market demands.

Will the iPhone 16e find its audience?

While the iPhone 16e provides an affordable entry point into Apple’s ecosystem, its price remains higher than previous SE models, leading some analysts to question whether it can attract enough buyers. The growing trend of consumers opting for premium models through financing options may pose a challenge to the iPhone 16e’s success.

Nonetheless, with its competitive specs, Apple’s first-ever in-house modem, and a strategic repositioning away from the SE branding, the iPhone 16e has the potential to carve out its niche in the mid-range smartphone market.

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HP launches new range of Copilot+ AI laptops in India

This enables AI functionalities to operate offline, ensuring faster processing and enhanced data privacy—a boon for users in India’s fast-evolving digital landscape.

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HP has unveiled an exciting new lineup of Copilot+ PCs in India, introducing four laptops crafted to deliver cutting-edge AI experiences directly on the device. Launched under the HP EliteBook, ProBook, and OmniBook series, these models cater to a wide range of users, from corporate professionals to creative minds like graphic designers and content creators.

Powered by processors from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm, these laptops feature dedicated Neural Processing Units (NPUs) that perform 40 to 55 trillion operations per second. This enables AI functionalities to operate offline, ensuring faster processing and enhanced data privacy—a boon for users in India’s fast-evolving digital landscape.

The laptops come loaded with HP’s AI-driven tools, including the AI Companion, myHP software, and Poly Camera Pro, designed to streamline productivity and elevate communication. These tools offer real-time file analysis, crystal-clear voice output, and smart camera features for seamless video calls, making them ideal for both professional and creative tasks.

The EliteBook series, starting at Rs 87,440, targets business users with models like the EliteBook 8 and 6 series, alongside the ProBook 4. These machines boast extended battery life, robust security features, and noise-cancellation technology for distraction-free meetings. Meanwhile, the OmniBook series, priced from Rs 78,999, is tailored for content creators and collaborative professionals. This range includes the OmniBook Ultra 14, 5 16, 7 Aero 13, and X 14, offering versatility for dynamic workloads.

HP’s AI Companion enables offline file searches, saving time for busy users. The Poly Camera Pro transforms video calls with multi-camera support, background effects, and streaming-ready features, while Poly Audio ensures clear conversations by filtering out background noise and balancing volume levels.

“India is poised to lead the global AI revolution, with its vibrant talent pool and dynamic growth,” said Ipsita Dasgupta, Managing Director of HP India. “Our expanded Copilot+ portfolio empowers everyone—from entrepreneurs to students—with AI tools to thrive in this new era.”

These Copilot+ PCs will soon be available through HP’s online store and retail partners across India, promising to redefine how Indians work and create.

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Samsung Galaxy S25 FE may skip chip upgrade, could reuse Exynos 2400e

Samsung’s next Fan Edition smartphone, the Galaxy S25 FE, is likely to feature the same Exynos 2400e processor as last year’s model, according to new leaks.

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Samsung

Samsung appears to be following a conservative route for its upcoming Galaxy S25 FE, with reports suggesting that the smartphone will feature the same Exynos 2400e chipset used in last year’s Galaxy S24 FE. While the tech giant has not officially confirmed the device’s launch, leaks hint that the handset—codenamed R13—is already under development.

According to internal code seen by the media, the Galaxy S25 FE carries the codename siop_r13s_s5e9945, confirming its chipset as Exynos 2400/2400e. This is the same processor seen in the Galaxy S24 FE, indicating that Samsung may skip a processor upgrade this year.

If accurate, this decision places the S25 FE behind newer premium chipsets like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Snapdragon 8 Elite, and MediaTek Dimensity 9400, potentially making the device less powerful in comparison to flagship competitors in 2025.

The Galaxy S25 FE is expected to launch towards the end of Q3 or early Q4 2025, as a more affordable variant of the Galaxy S25 series. Much like its predecessor, it will likely aim to strike a balance between performance and price, appealing to cost-conscious consumers.

Last year’s Galaxy S24 FE, launched in September 2024, came at a price of Rs. 59,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model. It featured a 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, 50MP triple rear camera, 10MP selfie camera, 4700mAh battery, and support for Galaxy AI features. If Samsung follows suit, the S25 FE could retain many of these specifications, making only minor hardware or software tweaks.

The report also mentions that the Indian variant of the Galaxy M36 5G may be powered by the Exynos 1380 chipset, the same one used in the Galaxy M35 5G. This suggests Samsung might be keeping things uniform across its mid-range portfolio for 2025.

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iQOO Z10 5G, Z10x 5G launched in India: Check prices, features, and more

Customers can benefit from a ₹2,000 instant discount or an exchange offer, effectively reducing the prices to ₹19,999, ₹21,999, and ₹23,999, respectively.

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Vivo’s sub-brand, iQOO, has unveiled two exciting additions to its affordable Z series in India: the iQOO Z10 5G and iQOO Z10x 5G. Both smartphones are designed with exceptional battery performance in mind, boasting impressive capacities of 7,300mAh for the Z10 and 6,500mAh for the Z10x.

Pricing details: 

The iQOO Z10 begins at ₹21,999 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage model. The price increases to ₹23,999 for the 8GB RAM with 256GB storage variant, while the top-tier version with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage is available for ₹25,999. Customers can benefit from a ₹2,000 instant discount or an exchange offer, effectively reducing the prices to ₹19,999, ₹21,999, and ₹23,999, respectively.

The iQOO Z10x 5G is more budget-friendly, priced at ₹13,499 for the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage version. The 8GB RAM variant with the same storage costs ₹14,999, and the 256GB storage model, paired with 8GB RAM, is priced at ₹16,499. Additionally, a ₹1,000 instant bank discount is also available as a part of the launch promotions.

Specifications highlights: 

The iQOO Z10 features a vibrant 6.77-inch Full HD AMOLED display with a swift 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 5000 nits. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, offering either 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB UFS 2.2. Running on Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15, it is equipped with a remarkable 7,300mAh battery that supports fast 90W charging. The camera setup includes a 50MP Sony IMX882 primary camera and a 32MP front-facing shooter for selfies.

On the other hand, the iQOO Z10x sports a 6.72-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1050 nits peak brightness. It runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor and comes with configurations of 6GB or 8GB RAM and 128GB or 256GB UFS 3.1 storage. The device packs a 6,500mAh battery with 44W fast charging and features a 50MP primary camera paired with an 8MP selfie camera, making it a solid choice for photography enthusiasts on a budget.

With competitive pricing and robust specifications, the iQOO Z10 and Z10x offer excellent options for users seeking powerful smartphones without breaking the bank.

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