For the first time since 2007 Apple is not selling an iPhone with this iconic feature
- The new Apple iPhone 16e replaces an 18 year old feature of the phones
- The 16e is the entry level option into the Apple range
- The new 16e runs on Apple’s latest A18 chip
Published on Feb 24, 2025 at 3:29 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Feb 24, 2025 at 3:29 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Apple has fully ditched one of its iPhones’ most iconic features after a slow demise that began in 2017.
The company recently launched the iPhone 16e, a $599 phone that replaces the 2022 iPhone SE.
The 2022 SE was the last iPhone with the touch ID home button, but now the latest 16e has removed that button from Apple’s range entirely.
This is the first time in 18 years that an iPhone doesn’t have the now iconic feature.
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Face ID replaces the old Apple touch ID.
Apple’s decision to remove the home button and touch ID means that face ID tech is now the primary way to wake up and unlock your phone.
The face ID will now also be the primary way to authenticate payments made with Apple Pay.
Since the very first iPhone, Apple’s products have had the home button, a feature that became a trademark of its design.
However, the company began phasing the feature out eight years ago, with the change starting on the iPhone X.
Not having a home button has now become the norm, and users of Android phones will also recognize the design because few Android phones have ever had a home button.
The iPhone 16e is the new entry-level model
The iPhone 16e is the new entry-level model in Apple’s iPhone range, the company says.
The previous low-cost iPhone was the 2022 SE.
However, at $599, the iPhone 16e is still not cheap.
The phone also replaces the earlier iPhone 14.
It features an aluminum frame with a glass front and back and has an impressive 6.1-inch OLED screen.
The chunky forehead and chins of the old-school iPhone design are no longer present; the 16e looks sleek and modern.
The phone’s latest A18 chip powers it, making it lightning-fast. It also enables users to use Apple’s latest AI tools.
The phone’s 5G connectivity is powered by a new modem, and it now charges by USB-C instead of the old lightning cable.
The biggest downside is the lack of double/triple cameras on the rear, with the 16e having just a single 48-megapixel camera.
Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
