Apple Intelligence Gets Local: iPhone 16e Brings Indian Language Support & In-House C1 Modem

Apple is making Apple Intelligence more locally relevant by introducing support for English (India) and systemwide integration of 10 Indian languages in iOS 18.4. The iPhone 16e features a 6.1-inch display, the largest on an affordable iPhone, while maintaining a compact form factor. Apple is also transitioning to its in-house C1 modem, replacing Qualcomm’s hardware for better power efficiency and connectivity.

The C1 modem, integrated with the A18 chip, enhances network performance and extends battery life up to 26 hours of video playback. This shift is part of Apple’s broader move toward in-house hardware, similar to its transition from Intel to Apple Silicon. The transition from Qualcomm modems is expected to be rapid, possibly completing with the next iPhone lineup in September. Priced at ₹59,900, the iPhone 16e combines AI advancements, optimized hardware, and localized language support for the Indian market.

CONTENT:

• iPhone 16e Launched in India: Affordable Entry to Apple Intelligence, Prices Start at ₹59,900!
• iPhone 16e Battery Bigger Than iPhone 16? Here’s Why Everyone’s Talking About It!

Apple Intelligence Gets Local: iPhone 16e Brings Indian Language Support & In-House C1 Modem

Apple is set to enhance the local relevance of Apple Intelligence by introducing support for English (India) in April, alongside systemwide integration of 10 Indian languages for the iOS interface and apps. The iPhone 16e is built around three major elements: expanded Apple Intelligence support, deep language integration, an advanced Fusion Camera system, and Apple’s transition to its proprietary C1 modem.

Bob Borchers, Apple’s VP of Worldwide Product Marketing, emphasized the company’s focus on ensuring Apple Intelligence aligns with local cultures and traditions. He highlighted that Apple takes time to refine its AI models to respect linguistic and cultural nuances. With iOS 18.4, iPhone users will be able to set their device’s primary language to Bangla, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, or Urdu, with deep integration extending across Apple’s core apps, including Weather, Health, and Settings.

The iPhone 16e also brings the largest display ever seen on an affordable iPhone, featuring a 6.1-inch screen—a significant leap from previous budget models like the iPhone SE and iPhone 13 mini. Despite the larger display, Apple has maintained a compact and ergonomic design, ensuring ease of use. Borchers explained that Apple aims to provide users with the biggest possible screen while keeping the device comfortable to hold, with the iPhone 16e being only slightly larger than the third-generation iPhone SE.

One of the most significant changes in the iPhone 16e is Apple’s transition from Qualcomm modems to its in-house C1 modem, a move that signals a shift towards greater hardware independence. Borchers explained that Apple’s approach to silicon development prioritizes performance efficiency, with the C1 modem designed to optimize energy consumption, significantly improving battery life. This modem, integrated with the A18 chip, enhances power efficiency and connectivity, supporting sub-6GHz 5G, 4G, 3G, 2G, and satellite communication. Thanks to this innovation, the iPhone 16e offers up to 26 hours of video playback—the highest battery life among 6.1-inch iPhones.

Apple has been progressively reducing its reliance on third-party hardware, beginning with its transition from Intel chips to Apple Silicon in 2020. The introduction of the C1 modem marks another step in this journey, and unlike the gradual shift from Intel, Apple’s move away from Qualcomm modems is expected to happen much faster. With the next iPhone lineup anticipated in September, Apple may complete the transition sooner than expected.

With a starting price of ₹59,900, the iPhone 16e is the most affordable iPhone in the current lineup, offering advanced AI features, efficient hardware, and enhanced language support, making it a strong contender in the Indian market. It features a 6.1-inch display, Apple’s in-house C1 modem for improved connectivity, and up to 26 hours of battery life. The iOS 18.4 update further enhances usability with systemwide integration of 10 Indian languages, ensuring a seamless experience across Apple apps. With Apple Intelligence becoming more locally relevant, the iPhone 16e is designed to cater to Indian users with optimized performance, cultural adaptability, and long-term efficiency.

 

iPhone 16e Launched in India: Affordable Entry to Apple Intelligence, Prices Start at ₹59,900!

The iPhone 16e is now available for purchase in India, joining Apple’s made-in-India iPhone 16 series. Introduced earlier this month, it serves as the most affordable entry into Apple’s smartphone lineup that supports Apple Intelligence. This AI-powered functionality will roll out in India in April alongside iOS 18.4, which is currently in developer beta for testing. The iPhone 16e comes in three storage variants: 128GB priced at ₹59,900, 256GB at ₹69,900, and 512GB at ₹89,900. Available in black and white color options, it features a frosted glass back design.

The device sports a flat aluminum frame with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, similar to the iPhone 14, with a 2532 x 1170 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, HDR support, and a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, along with a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating. Built for durability, it includes Ceramic Shield protection, an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance (up to 6 meters for 30 minutes), and an Action Button, first introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro, for customizable functions.

Powered by the A18 chip from the iPhone 16 series, the iPhone 16e features a 4-core GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing for enhanced gaming and a 16-core Neural Engine (NPU) for on-device AI. Apple Intelligence capabilities include Writing Tools, Notification Summary, Image Playground, and Genmoji. The Action Button also enables Visual Intelligence, allowing users to summarize and translate text, detect phone numbers and emails, and perform visual searches via Google or OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

The camera system consists of a 48MP primary sensor with optical image stabilization, supporting 24MP (default) and 48MP captures, along with a 12MP 2x telephoto mode. The front camera is a 12MP sensor with autofocus and automatic image stabilization. Apple claims the iPhone 16e offers up to 26 hours of video playback and 90 hours of audio playback. It features a USB-C port for charging and data transfer and supports Qi2 wireless charging but lacks MagSafe compatibility.

For connectivity, the iPhone 16e debuts Apple’s C1 modem, which is optimized for power efficiency. It supports 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2×2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC with reader mode.

 

iPhone 16e Battery Bigger Than iPhone 16? Here’s Why Everyone’s Talking About It!

Apple’s latest addition to the iPhone 16 series, the iPhone 16e, has been making waves due to its competitive pricing and enhanced features. Launched at an affordable ₹59,990 in India, the smartphone has sparked discussions for multiple reasons. While some have mixed opinions, many buyers are drawn to its affordability and Apple Intelligence capabilities. However, one standout feature that has gained significant attention is its improved battery life.

During its launch, Apple highlighted the iPhone 16e’s “supersized battery life”, but the company did not disclose the exact battery capacity. Apple claims the device can deliver up to 26 hours of video playback, which is four hours longer than the standard iPhone 16 model. Now, tech reviewer Dave Lee has revealed that the iPhone 16e houses a 3961mAh battery, compared to the 3561mAh battery in the iPhone 16—a notable 10% increase in capacity. This significant upgrade has resulted in a better battery backup, making the more affordable iPhone 16e outperform the flagship iPhone 16 in terms of battery life, despite featuring a similar display size.

Another factor contributing to the iPhone 16e’s superior battery performance is Apple’s custom-built Apple C1 5G modem. Reports suggest that this modem consumes less power than the Qualcomm X71 modem used in the flagship iPhone 16, further improving battery efficiency while ensuring seamless 5G connectivity.

In addition to its battery upgrades, the iPhone 16e features a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate and is powered by the A18 chip, though it is a binned version with fewer GPU cores. The smartphone is equipped with a 48MP Fusion rear camera with 2x zoom and a 12MP selfie camera on the front. It also includes the Action Button, allowing users to access customizable shortcuts.

With its larger battery, efficient 5G modem, and flagship-level features, the iPhone 16e has become a compelling choice for buyers looking for a powerful yet budget-friendly Apple smartphone.