iPhone 15 remains in different league despite iPhone 16e price cuts

Several retailers cut the phone’s price again this week by up to VND500,000, bringing it down to as low as VND15.7 million. Yet it cannot catch up with the two-year-old iPhone 15, which remains a top choice for buyers in the VND15 million range.

Nguyen Lac Huy, spokesperson for retail chain CellPhoneS, said sales of the iPhone 15 are currently 10 times that of the 16e. Hoang Tuan, owner of a store specializing in Apple products on Hue Street in Hanoi, said many customers inquire about the 16e but ultimately buy the iPhone 15.

The iPhone 15. Photo from VnExpress/Tuan Hung

"The Apple Intelligence features are a highlight of the 16e, but they are not yet fully supported in Vietnam, and so interest remains low."

The iPhone 15 has several advantages over the 16e, including a "dynamic island" display instead of a notch, a dual-camera system with an ultra-wide lens, and a broader selection of colors. Its accessories are also easier to find.

But analysts pointed out the 16e could be a better option for long-term users since it would receive software updates for longer, has a stronger processor, improved battery life and a more compact design. Apple’s AI features, including Vietnamese language support, are expected to be launched later this year.

Vietnamese trends are in contrast to global buying patterns. According to April data from Counterpoint Research, Apple surpassed Samsung to become the world’s top smartphone brand in Q1 2025, driven largely by demand for the 16e. But in Vietnam the model only accounts for 5% of iPhone sales, according to local retailers.

Vietnamese consumers have long favored premium iPhone models. While the standard iPhone 15 was the best-selling smartphone globally in 2024, it did not even rank among the top 10 for major Vietnamese retailers.

The 16e is an upgrade on the iPhone SE 3, now rebranded as the most affordable model in the iPhone 16 lineup.