Review of the Apple iPhone 16e: Is the 'e' Right for You? 2025 is the year
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Design and Display: Modern Look, Familiar Feel
- Camera: Single Lens Simplicity, Impressive Video
- Performance: A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence on a Budget
- Software: The Latest iOS 18 with AI Features
- Battery: The Longest Lasting 6.1-inch iPhone Ever
- Sound and Haptics
- Connectivity
- Pros and Cons
- Final Rating
- Final Thoughts: Who Needs an iPhone 16e?
Setting the Scene
Introduced with the iPhone 16e, Apple is reshaping its approach to the entry-level iPhone market. With its starting price of $599 and surprising power and modern features, the iPhone 16e aims to be the "for everyone" iPhone, replacing the beloved SE line. Although it is no longer the most affordable option, the iPhone 16e boasts substantial upgrades such as Face ID, a bigger OLED screen, and the potent A18 processor. But in 2025, will you still find the iPhone 16e—which has limitations like a single rear camera and no MagSafe—to be the best "budget-friendly" option? We will go into the specifics now.
Design and Display: A Contemporary Take on a Timeless Familiar iPhone 14 DNA Feature
Taking design cues from the iPhone 14, which is no longer manufactured, the iPhone 16e adopts a modern aesthetic. With its familiar flat sides, 6.1-inch screen, and the addition of the Action Button, this device is sure to please. With the adoption of USB-C for charging and data transfer across its entire lineup, Apple finally says goodbye to the Lightning port. This move streamlines cable management and connectivity.
The iPhone 16e has a sleek design, but it keeps the top notch from earlier models and ditches the Dynamic Island that comes on more expensive ones. Having said that, the screen is a huge improvement. With its vibrant 6.1-inch OLED display, the 16e offers richer colors and deeper blacks for a much more immersive viewing experience, saying goodbye to the tiny 4.7-inch LCD screen of the old SE. With its timeless White and Black color options, the iPhone 16e exudes understated elegance. Even though there isn't a bigger "iPhone 16e Plus" model, many people find that the 6.1-inch size is just right for them when it comes to portability and screen real estate.
Camera: Impressive Video with a Single Lens
Strong Performance with a Single Lens
The single rear camera is definitely the most disputed aspect of the iPhone 16e's design. The absence of an ultrawide lens on Apple's phone may cause some to question the company's priorities in a market where even low-cost phones come with multiple cameras. Apple probably prioritized core performance and video quality, even though some users will miss the versatility of an ultrawide. When compared to other cameras in its price range, the iPhone 16e's ability to record clear 4K60 video sets it apart.
Nevertheless, some characteristics are missing. Unlike previous iPhones, the 16e does not come with the popular Cinematic mode or Action mode. One positive aspect is that, compared to the iPhone 15 series, it has the more recent Audio Mix feature, which allows for better audio in videos. Although it lacks the sensor-shift stabilization found in high-end iPhones and instead uses the more conventional Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), users will barely notice the difference when using it for everyday tasks. While the main camera's 48MP sensor with a f/1.6 aperture and 8000 x 6000 pixel resolution guarantees detailed photos in good lighting, the selfie camera's 12MP sensor with a f/1.9 aperture and 4K video recording capabilities is more than enough for video calls and social media.
The A18 Chip and Apple's Intelligence on a Budget: Top-Notch Performance at an Affordable Price
Putting the A18 chip in an iPhone that costs $600 is a huge victory. You can expect fluid multitasking, responsive gaming, and processing power that can withstand the test of time with the iPhone 16e, thanks to its best-in-class performance for the price point. With its 8GB of RAM, the iPhone 16e can handle heavy workloads and the next generation of AI-powered apps with ease. You can anticipate performance that is on level with the regular iPhone 16 when benchmark scores become available.
With no room for expansion, the storage options are the usual suspects from Apple: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. Satellite connectivity is another feature of the iPhone 16e that can be used in remote areas in case of an emergency SOS. Features like improved AirDrop functionality and precise device finding are affected by the Ultra-Wideband (UWB) chip's absence. Having said that, the majority of users will primarily be concerned with the raw processing power and the ability to access Apple's ecosystem as performance draws.
Software: iOS 18 with New AI Features
The 'e' Series Gets Apple's AI
The newest features and Apple's legendary user experience are available on the iPhone 16e thanks to iOS 18. Most importantly, it will be able to support the new Apple Intelligence features, which will allow it to catch up to more expensive iPhones when it comes to artificial intelligence. The iPhone 16e will have AI Notification Summaries, Writing Tools, ChatGPT integration in Siri, Genmoji, and Image Playground, among other important Apple Intelligence features. The Action Button activates Visual Intelligence, which lets users access information through the camera and swiftly identify objects—all without the need for a separate Camera Control button.
Improved Endurance, No MagSafe Still Available
Battery: Longest Lasting 6.1-inch iPhone to Date
The iPhone 16e's battery life is one of its most impressive features. Compared to earlier generations, Apple asserts that its 6.1-inch iPhone has the best battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone, an improvement of 15-20%. Although the precise capacity of the battery is estimated to be approximately 3455mAh, its impressive endurance is supported by real-world usage. Having said that, MagSafe charging is not an option on the iPhone 16e. A disappointing oversight for individuals involved with the MagSafe ecosystem is that wireless Qi charging can only reach a maximum of 7.5W, while wired charging stays at 20W.
Stereo Sound and Immersive Audio
Haptics and Audio Quality
Enjoy more immersive audio on the go with the iPhone 16e's stereo speakers and support for Dolby Atmos. Perfect for watching movies, listening to music, and playing games. It is believed that haptics will provide feedback that is both accurate and responsive, in keeping with Apple's high expectations.
Staying Connected
Essentials of Today
Fast cellular speeds are provided by 5G support, dependable wireless networking by Wi-Fi 6, accessory connections by Bluetooth 5.3, contactless payments by NFC, and precise location services by GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS, NAVIC are included in the connectivity features. Not only does it work with nano-SIM cards, but it also has a USB Type-C 2.0 port for electronic signal management.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
- Supercharged A18 Chip: Get flagship performance without breaking the bank
- Top-Notch Video Capture with Ultra-High Definition 4K60 Resolution
- The longest-lasting 6.1-inch iPhone with improved battery life
- Ultra-Contemporary Style with USB-C and Power Button
- Super Bright and Lifelike OLED Screen for Stunning Visuals
- Support for Apple's AI: Gain entry to upcoming AI capabilities
- A New Level of Security and Convenience with Face ID
Cons
- You can't use an ultrawide lens or charge your device with a MagSafe cable, and there's only one rear camera.
- Omitted video recording capabilities due to the lack of a Cinematic or Action Mode
- Limited precision finding and AirDrop capabilities due to the absence of a UWB chip
- An increase in price compared to earlier SE models; 7.5W wireless charging; slow Qi wireless charging
- Retains a Drawback: An older component of display design
Final Thoughts: Who Needs an iPhone 16e?
Apple has taken a fresh approach with the iPhone 16e, their "entry-level" smartphone. It's evolved from an ultra-cheap alternative to a powerful and feature-packed product targeted at a wider demographic. Significant improvements include a OLED display and an enhanced battery life, in addition to the A18 chip's outstanding performance. The iPhone 16e has a single rear camera and doesn't have MagSafe, which are two major drawbacks. However, it has great performance, high-quality videos, and access to Apple's upcoming Apple Intelligence features.
If you value speed and a contemporary iPhone experience without going into debt, the iPhone 16e is a great choice. If you're looking to upgrade from an older iPhone or make the jump from Android to iOS and Apple's ecosystem, it's a solid choice. Those who rely a lot on ultrawide lenses or MagSafe attachments, though, may wish to look elsewhere. If "everyone" has a budget of about $600, the iPhone 16e presents a convincing mix of features and price, hence it is a good option for the "everyone" iPhone.