The iPhone 16e, the spiritual successor to the iPhone SE series, just came out, and it got me thinking—maybe this is the phone for me.

I currently have the iPhone 15 Pro, but to be honest, I don’t really need all the “Pro” features. I don’t need three cameras on the back. I don’t need the Dynamic Island. I don’t need the ProMotion 120Hz display. I don’t even need MagSafe since I always charge with a cable anyway.

When I bought my iPhone 15 Pro in 2023, I thought it was the right choice. I was upgrading from an older Pro model, the iPhone 11 Pro, and I wanted the latest and greatest so it could last me another four years—just like my previous phone. I just had to turn a blind eye to the ¥159,800 price tag, which was significantly higher than the ¥100,000 or so I paid for my 11 Pro, thanks to the weaker Japanese yen.

Until recently, I always wanted the latest and greatest, especially for everyday devices like my phone. But back then, the latest and greatest cost around ¥100,000. Times have changed. Apple has started adding “Pro” features that, when I really think about it, I don’t need—and they come with a hefty price increase that doesn’t feel worth it.

Then the iPhone 16e came out at around ¥99,800. It has everything I need at a much more reasonable price. It’s simple and minimalist, with basic color options—black or white—which I like. It’s still an iPhone, so it will fit in just fine with my Apple ecosystem. However, my iPhone 15 Pro is only a year old, and my original plan was to use it for four years. So, I might not “upgrade” to the 16e this time, but three years from now, I’ll most likely go for the “e” variant of the iPhone.

iPhone 19e anyone?