Apple iPhone 16e Review: The Budget iPhone That Beats the iPhone 16 in One Key Way!

The iPhone 16e is Apple’s most affordable new model, offering a modern design, OLED display, Face ID, and Apple Intelligence support. While it lacks MagSafe and an ultra-wide camera, it delivers strong performance with the A18 chip and a longer battery life than the iPhone 16. The C1 modem enhances efficiency, and the 48MP camera provides versatile photography. Overall, it’s a great choice for those wanting a premium iPhone experience at a lower price.

Apple iPhone 16e Review: The Budget iPhone That Beats the iPhone 16 in One Key Way!

Apple’s most affordable new iPhone packs surprising upgrades, from an OLED display to Apple Intelligence support. But its biggest advantage? Longer battery life than the iPhone 16.

Apple iPhone 16e Review: Can the Most Affordable Model Outshine the Most Expensive?

Apple has officially launched the iPhone 16e, the most budget-friendly option in its latest lineup. Unlike the iPhone SE, which reused older designs with only internal upgrades, the 16e introduces a fresh design, modern components, and a new camera system, aligning it closely with the iPhone 16 while maintaining a lower price point. Priced at £599, it sits between the £799 iPhone 16 and the previous iPhone SE (£429), offering significant upgrades such as Face ID, a Ceramic Shield for improved durability, and an OLED display instead of the SE’s LCD panel.

During a week of testing, the iPhone 16e impressed with its smooth setup process, vibrant display, fast performance powered by the A18 chip, and exceptional battery life. It features a 6.1-inch OLED screen (60Hz, 2532 x 1170 pixels), a 48MP main camera, a 12MP front camera, and storage options ranging from 128GB to 512GB. While it lacks MagSafe support and has only a single rear camera, it still delivers a premium experience. The 2-in-1 camera system provides versatile photography options, and the phone’s long battery life even surpasses that of the iPhone 16. Overall, the iPhone 16e is an excellent choice for users seeking a modern iPhone experience without the high price tag.

Apple iPhone 16e Review: A Budget-Friendly Powerhouse?

Apple has introduced the iPhone 16e, its most affordable model in the current lineup. While it may seem like a follow-up to the iPhone SE, the 16e takes a different approach by adopting a modern design, upgraded hardware, and an improved camera—bringing it closer to the standard iPhone 16.

With a starting price of £599, the iPhone 16e sits between the £799 iPhone 16 and the previous iPhone SE (£429). However, it offers key upgrades like Face ID, a durable Ceramic Shield, and an OLED display—features previously absent from the SE series.

At first glance, the iPhone 16e closely resembles the iPhone 16, featuring a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate and 460 ppi resolution, delivering sharp visuals, HDR support, and vibrant colors. However, it lacks the Dynamic Island, instead retaining the traditional notch design. The aluminum frame and glass back add a premium feel, while the Action Button—borrowed from the iPhone 15 Pro—introduces Visual Intelligence, a tool within Apple Intelligence that analyzes objects using the rear camera.

One key omission is MagSafe support. While wireless charging is available, it lacks the magnetic alignment and accessory compatibility found on higher-end models, making features like StandBy mode less seamless.

Despite having only one rear camera, the iPhone 16e’s 48MP main sensor delivers high-quality images, offering a 2x zoom equivalent by cropping into the sensor’s central 12MP section. While there’s no ultra-wide lens or macro mode, advanced video features like Apple’s audio mix enhance recording quality. The Camera Control button, present on higher-end models, is also absent, but users can assign the Action Button to open the camera.

Powered by the Apple A18 chip, the iPhone 16e offers fast performance, though it has one fewer GPU core than the iPhone 16. The debut of Apple’s C1 modem enhances network efficiency and power management. Additionally, this is the most affordable iPhone to support Apple Intelligence, bringing AI-powered tools like writing assistance and Genmoji. The base storage has also been upgraded to 128GB, addressing a common complaint about the SE’s 64GB entry-level option.

Battery life is another standout feature, with Apple claiming the iPhone 16e outperforms the standard iPhone 16 by up to four hours. The combination of a larger battery and the efficient C1 modem makes it one of the longest-lasting iPhones with this display size.

iPhone 16e Review: Solid Battery Life but an Unconvincing Price

Apple’s latest $599 iPhone, the iPhone 16e, is a solid device but struggles to justify its price. While it delivers strong performance—despite lacking a GPU core—the omission of key features like MagSafe, ultra-wideband support, and a high-refresh-rate display makes it feel overpriced. The 16e is primarily aimed at users upgrading from older models like the iPhone 8 Plus or iPhone X, rather than tech enthusiasts or those who upgrade frequently. However, with the thriving second-hand iPhone market, options like the iPhone 15 or even a used iPhone 15 Pro present better value.

One of the iPhone 16e’s standout features is its impressive battery life. Even with moderate usage, it consistently retains around 50% battery by the end of the day, and during heavy use—including GPS, music streaming, and photography—it still manages to hold 30% by bedtime. Apple attributes this efficiency to its new in-house C1 modem, which also contributes to stable network performance. However, the device lacks mmWave 5G support, limiting users to sub-6 GHz 5G speeds, and sticks with Wi-Fi 6 instead of the latest Wi-Fi 7.

Performance-wise, the A18 chip inside the 16e is nearly identical to the one in the standard iPhone 16, only missing a GPU core. Gaming performance remains strong, with minimal impact in demanding titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Genshin Impact. The phone also supports Apple Intelligence, Apple’s new AI-powered features, though its practical benefits remain uncertain. While an improved Siri with ChatGPT integration is useful, it still suffers from slow response times and occasional errors. The Genmoji feature, which creates custom emoji, can also be hit-or-miss, while Apple’s Visual Intelligence, a competitor to Google Lens, is conveniently accessible via the Action Button.

Despite featuring a 6.1-inch OLED display, the 60Hz refresh rate feels outdated compared to similarly priced Android competitors that offer 90Hz or 120Hz panels. Apple has also reverted to the notch design instead of the Dynamic Island, further reinforcing the idea that the 16e was built using older components. The camera system, while reliable, differs from the iPhone 16’s 48MP sensor, featuring smaller pixels that slightly weaken low-light performance. While the single-lens setup is decent, the lack of an ultra-wide or telephoto camera is disappointing, especially when competing devices like the Galaxy S24 FE offer a triple-camera system at a similar price.

Perhaps the most baffling omissions are MagSafe and ultra-wideband (UWB) support. Without MagSafe, users lose access to Apple’s magnetic accessory ecosystem and faster wireless charging, while the absence of UWB means less precise AirTag tracking, a feature available on every iPhone since the iPhone 11. These missing elements make the iPhone 16e feel incomplete, especially given its price point.

Ultimately, while the iPhone 16e is a dependable device with excellent battery life, its $599 price tag feels excessive, particularly when the iPhone 15—just $100 more—offers a better display, superior camera system, MagSafe, and UWB support. For those seeking the best value, a used iPhone 15 Pro delivers a far more premium experience for around the same cost. If all you need is a new iPhone with good battery life and you can overlook the missing features, the 16e may suffice—but better alternatives exist.

Final Verdict: Apple iPhone 16e

Although the iPhone 16e is the most affordable model in Apple’s latest lineup, it comes at a higher price than the previous iPhone SE. However, it brings substantial upgrades, including increased storage, a larger high-resolution OLED display, Face ID, a durable Ceramic Shield, the powerful A18 chip, Apple’s new C1 modem, a bigger battery than the iPhone 16, and full support for Apple Intelligence. Rather than being a simple refresh of the SE series, the 16e introduces an entirely new category in Apple’s lineup.

So, how does it compare to the iPhone 16? If features like an ultra-wide camera, MagSafe compatibility, the Camera Control button, a wider selection of colors, and the Dynamic Island are important to you, the iPhone 16 is the better option.

That said, the iPhone 16e retains most of the iPhone 16’s core design and features while offering superior battery life. For many users, it strikes the perfect balance between performance, longevity, and affordability, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a premium iPhone experience at a more accessible price.