Apple has officially retired the home button with the launch of the iPhone 16e, replacing the iPhone SE as its cheapest model at £599/USD599. The 16e features a modern 6.1-inch OLED screen, Face ID, and the latest A18 chip for AI-powered features but lacks the newer Dynamic Island design. It includes a single 48MP camera, USB-C charging, and an action button but drops the mute switch. Apple hopes the updated budget model will revive mid-range sales, especially in China, and push more users toward AI-enabled devices.