Your Guide to the iPhone 16e

The Apple iPhone 16e was designed to replace the iPhone SE and offers an affordable entry into the new iPhone lineup. Prices start from just $599 for 128 GB of storage – that’s $200 cheaper than the standard iPhone 16, not to mention the Plus, Pro, and Pro Max models. 

But has Apple sacrificed the iPhone 16’s impressive design and performance features for this price point with their latest model in the range? Or does the 16e live up to its bigger, more expensive counterparts?

Keep reading as we examine the similarities and differences between the iPhone 16e and the rest of the series to decide whether this device is a worthwhile addition.

Apple iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16 Specs

Here’s a quick breakdown of both the iPhone 16e and the original 16’s technical features:

Design

In terms of design, the iPhone 16e and iPhone 16 are pretty similar. They feature Apple’s signature rounded corners, plus a metal frame with a glass back, and use Face ID to open the lock screen.

The 16e is slightly lighter than the base model, making it ideal for portability, and also reverts back to the camera notch instead of the Dynamic Island at the top of the screen.

Both models are built with durability in mind, using aerospace-grade aluminum and Ceramic Shield glass. They’re also rated IP68 for water and dust resistance, meaning they’ll survive in a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes.

But while the iPhone 16 has the latest-generation Ceramic Shield, which is tougher than any other smartphone glass on the market, the 16e uses the not-quite-so-durable previous generation.

The 16e is available in sleek black or white, which isn’t as exciting as other colorways in the iPhone 16 lineup, including Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine. However, Apple has stuck to timeless colors that can easily be enhanced with a vibrant phone case.

Display

The iPhone 16e has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, which features a slightly lower resolution than the classic 16. However, with the same 460 pixel-per-inch density and contrast ratio, you should enjoy the same high-quality viewing experience whichever model you choose.

Screen quality in sunny conditions is where the iPhone 16e falls short in comparison to other models. It features a 1200-nit peak brightness, compared to the iPhone 16’s 2000 nits, or even the Google Pixel 9’s 2700-nit display.

Performance

Another benefit of the 16e is that it contains the same latest-generation A18 chip as the standard iPhone 16 and runs on iOS 18. This features a 4-core GPU for impressive gaming graphics and a 70% faster performance than the iPhone 11 – although these specifications are slightly lower than the standard 16, which has a 5-core GPU.

The A18 chipset is designed to power Apple Intelligence, a personal artificial intelligence system that helps with everything from improving your productivity to creating bespoke visuals. 16e users can access all the same features as those with the 16, including Writing Tools, Visual Intelligence, Genmoji, and more.

This chip facilitates a supersized battery life too, with up to 26 hours of video playback. Not only does the iPhone 16e have the best battery life of an iPhone of this size, but it also lasts 6 hours longer than the iPhone 11, and 4 hours more than the 16! 

Apple claims this is thanks to their new C1 modem, which makes its debut on the iPhone 16e and offers 25% more power efficiency than the iPhone 15.

However, the 16e isn’t compatible with Apple’s MagSafe accessories for wireless charging. Instead, it supports qi wireless charging or 20W wired through a USB-C port.

Cameras

Apple has renamed its 48 MP Main camera the Fusion Lens this year, which features on the iPhone 16e alongside a 12 MP TrueDepth selfie camera. 

However, it doesn’t have the same advanced dual-camera system as the base model, with its 12MP Ultra-Wide lens. The more affordable device also isn’t compatible with the Apple Vision Pro headset, as it can’t shoot macro or spatial photos.

Instead, the 16e’s 2-in-1 system is designed to deliver the capabilities of two cameras: the 48MP sensor captures super-high-resolution images, while the 2x Telephoto lens offers impressive optical zoom.

While it also shoots 4K video in Dolby Vision, the same as others in the iPhone 16 series, the iPhone 16e misses out on the 16’s high-quality Cinematic mode. It doesn’t have the brand new Camera Control button either, which easily launches the Camera app, takes photos, and adjusts exposure, zoom, and style settings.

Should You Buy the Apple iPhone 16e?

At $599, there’s no doubt that the iPhone 16e adds exceptional value to Apple’s latest range, with its reliable camera system, excellent battery life, and smooth performance that supports Apple Intelligence features.

However, it does miss out on many of the 16’s versatile features, including Camera Control, spatial video, macro video, and the Ultra-Wide lens. There’s also no MagSafe compatibility, a display that’s slightly harder to see in bright conditions, and fewer color options, plus the 16e is slightly less durable.

We’d recommend the iPhone 16e if you’re happy with the base features that make the iPhone such a special smartphone. However, if you’re looking for more advanced functionality, particularly for photography, go with the iPhone 16 or even one of the Pro models.