Apple’s New iPhone 16e – Is this the iPhone for Almost Everyone?
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Kirk McElhearn
Apple has introduced its new “budget” phone model, the iPhone 16e. Replacing the iPhone SE as the entry-level iPhone, this new model offers a wide range of features but is missing some important ones. While its price pushes out of the budget spot of its predecessor, this could be the iPhone for almost everyone.
The new iPhone 16e replaces the iPhone SE
Apple’s iPhone SE has always been the budget iPhone model. Initially priced at $399 for the first generation model in 2016, kept at that price for the 2nd generation in 2020, and it increased to $429 in 2022 for the 3rd generation model. This price made getting into the Apple ecosystem at the low end relatively affordable.
The iPhone 16e, however, starts at $599, which is just $200 less than the iPhone 16, and $400 less than the iPhone 16 Pro. There’s only one size for the iPhone 16e, 6.1″, so it can’t compare to the more expensive iPhone 16 Plus or iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The iPhone 16e has a compelling feature set, however, and despite this higher price, it might be the iPhone for almost everyone. While the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro features are enticing for people who want a flagship phone, most people don’t need them.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of the iPhone 16e.
iPhone 16e pros
This model contains many of Apple’s key modern technologies, such as an OLED display, Face ID, and its latest A18 chip. It has 8 GB RAM and starts with 128 GB storage, which, together with the A18 chip, ensures that it can run Apple Intelligence. It also has longer battery life than the regular iPhone 16 model, and charges via USB-C, which is now standard across all Apple devices.
The iPhone 16e has a much better camera than the iPhone SE. While it’s still just a single camera, it is Apple’s 48-megapixel Fusion Camera, capable of shooting photos in 1x and 2x optical zoom. And this iPhone model is the first to feature Apple’s in-house cellular modem, the C1, which Apple is trying out on this model, before presumably rolling it out to iPhone 17 models later this year. Apple says it is “the most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone,” which may contribute to the enhanced battery life of the device.
iPhone 16e cons
As a “budget” phone, the iPhone 16e lacks some of the higher-end features of other models. The camera, as mentioned above, is limited compared to other iPhone 16 models, though it’s quite capable. The display only refreshes at 60 Hz. Many people won’t notice this slower refresh rate, though if you’ve used a device with Apple’s ProMotion, which has an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, you may see the difference. There’s no Dynamic Island, and there’s a large notch at the top of the phone for the front camera and Face ID camera. And the display isn’t as bright as the iPhone 16 or 16 Pro, especially outdoors.
People who liked the smaller size of the iPhone SE will be disappointed that Apple no longer sells phones this size; the iPhone 16e is the same size as the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro. And it’s only available in two colors, black and white.
Finally, while the iPhone 16e supports wireless Qi charging, it only charges at 7.5W, and doesn’t support MagSafe charging. MagSafe is a great technology, and is used for more than just charging: you can mount your iPhone on a magnetic stand with MagSafe, or use battery packs, wallets, and other MagSafe devices.
The iPhone 16e may cause sticker shock among people who are used to buying Apple’s cheapest phones. While it’s less expensive than other iPhone 16 models, it’s still a big jump from the iPhone SE. This said, the increased RAM and storage, the better display and camera, and inflation, may justify this price, though this is a pretty high cover charge to get into the Apple ecosystem.
Apple is selling the iPhone 16e with 0% financing over 24 months for $25 a month, which seems a lot less expensive. However, an iPhone 16, with the same financing, is $33 a month, and the iPhone 16 Pro starts at $42 a month, so it might be tempting to go for a better model if you choose to pay monthly.
Is the iPhone 16e the iPhone for almost everyone?
Many discussions of phones focus on power user features, but most people don’t need these. If you’re really into iPhone photography, then the iPhone 16e isn’t for you; you want an iPhone Pro. But for most use cases, the iPhone 16e hits the sweet spot. It’s cheaper than other current iPhone models, has plenty of up-to-date technologies, and seems like a compelling upgrade from the underpowered and feature-limited iPhone SE.
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