With the introduction of the iPhone 16e, Apple has made some shifts in its mobile device lineup by doing away with the SE series and now positioning it as the entry level smartphone in the apple family. Although it is a step up from the SE 2022, it offers significant improvements such as OLED display, A18 chip, and access to the Apple Intelligence features. That said, there are some tradeoffs to ensure the price does not soar.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- ✅ Impressive camera features
- ✅ Better build quality for a budget option
- ✅ Access to Apple Intelligence features
- ✅ OLED display is sharp
Cons:
- ❌ MagSafe is not supported
- ❌ Unlikeable price for a budget smartphone
- ❌ No ultra wide angle camera
- ❌ Absence of Dynamic Island
Pricing and Availability
At its base level, the phone is set to retail at $599 which is a considerable increase from the launch price of the SE 2022 at $429. This gives it a price tag of 200 dollars less than the iPhone 16. It has a storage capacity of 128GB($599), 256GB($699), and 512GB($899) and comes in black and white colors. Currently, preorders are available with general availability commencing on the 28th of February.
Design & Build
An aesthetic shift is quite evident for the new iPhone 16e as it appears to be more polished than its predecessor. Unlike its forerunner, the iPhone 16, it has a matte aluminum frame which is both shorter and lighter in weight. The matte finish of the aluminum also helps with smudge resistance which is quite practical for everyday use. The iPhone 16e flaunts an IP68 rating, USB-C port and Action button, closely resembling its costlier sibling, aside from the missing second rear camera and larger display notch.
Display Quality
The newcomer 16e clearly excels the iPhone SE’s LCD, transitioning into an OLED display of 6.1 inches. The display offers much higher brightness, vivid color, and enhanced contrast when compared to its predecessor. The phone is always easily viewable in outdoor conditions, having a peak brightness of 1,028 nits. However, it misses out the Dynamic Island feature which is available on iPhone 16.
| Feature | iPhone 16e | iPhone SE 2022 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch OLED | 4.7-inch LCD | 6.1-inch OLED |
| Peak Brightness | 1,028 nits | 596 nits | 1,348 nits |
Camera Performance
Even with a single 48MP rear camera, the iPhone 16e still performs exceptionally well. From a single camera, the in-sensor 2x zoom provides flexibility in capturing various shots and mimics a dual camera system. Although it lacks an ultrawide lens, it still manages to compete with midrange foes like the Pixel 8a. The frontal 12MP camera has the same capabilities as the iPhone 16, taking nice selfies with good colors. However, like the standard iPhone 16, portrait mode doesn’t have the depth effect refinement that the iPhone 16 does.
When it comes to low light performance, the 16e is impressive at night. With 4K video recording at 60 fps with stabilization, the 16e also has sound clarity due to Apple’s new Audio Mix feature, in addition to older models.
Performance & Battery Life
With A18 powering the iPhone 16e, it now has strong overall performance which is on par with the 16. It does come with slightly weaker GPU, which results in a small dip in gaming performance. Compared to other Android competitors, the 60Hz display while smooth, offers room for improvement considering the refresh rate.
| Feature | iPhone 16e | iPhone SE 2022 | iPhone 16 | Pixel 8a |
| Chipset | A18 | A15 Bionic | A18 | Tensor G3 |
| Geekbench Score | 3,328 / 8,132 | 1,713 / 4,473 | 3,301 / 8,033 | 1,581 / 4,093 |
In comparison to the SE 2022, there is a battery life improvement that offers up to 12 more hours of runtime. It supports 20W wired charging, and 15W USB-C wireless charging, but does not support MagSafe charging.
Final Verdict
The iPhone 16e is an excellent mid-tier phone with meaningful upgrades over the SE series that has caused some problems. It doesn’t offer the full iPhone 16 experience, but it efficiently balances affordability and performance. Still, at $599, it is a tough sell when compared to the iPhone 16 or budget Androids like the Pixel 8a.
Who should buy it?
✅ Users upgrading from older SE models ✅ Modern iPhone users seeking lower cost options ✅ Looking for Apple Intelligence without the heavy price tag
Who should skip it?
❌ Seekers of MagSafe or ultra-wide camera phones ❌ Flexible iPhone 16 spenders ❌ Users who want high refresh rate displays
At the end of the day, if you are looking for an iPhone with modern features at a lower price, the 16e delivers—with a few compromises, of course.
