Introducing the iPhone 16e, Apple’s latest budget-friendly smartphone, which offers a less expensive alternative to the flagship iPhone 16. While both devices share a sleek design and powerful A18 chip, the iPhone 16e features a classic notch, a single camera, and limited color options. It boasts better battery life for video playback but lacks some advanced connectivity features, including Ultra Wideband technology. Users can expect a solid performance, though certain trade-offs exist for affordability.
Introducing the iPhone 16e: Apple’s New Entry-Level Smartphone
The iPhone 16e emerges as Apple’s new budget-friendly smartphone, offering a more accessible price point compared to the flagship iPhone 16. However, this affordability comes with certain technical trade-offs that are worth considering. Below, we delve into the key differences between these two devices to help you make an informed choice.
Design: Notch vs. Dynamic Island
When comparing dimensions, the iPhone 16e is marginally larger than the iPhone 16 (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm vs. 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm) and slightly heavier (167 g vs. 170 g). Both smartphones feature a sleek and lightweight design, constructed with an aluminum frame and glass backing. They are also both IP68 rated and equipped with a USB-C port, marking a shift away from the traditional Lightning connector.
The front design varies significantly: the iPhone 16e retains the classic notch for Face ID sensors, reminiscent of older iPhone models, while the iPhone 16 showcases the modern Dynamic Island, which serves to display notifications and information, giving it a contemporary edge. On the rear, the iPhone 16e is equipped with a single camera, while the iPhone 16 boasts a dual-camera system, enhancing its photographic capabilities.
Both models come with an Action button, allowing users quick access to customizable shortcuts. The button on the iPhone 16e is similar to that of the iPhone 15 Pro, whereas the iPhone 16 features an upgraded design and includes an extra button for quicker camera access, which the iPhone 16e lacks. Although the absence of this button is not a major drawback for the iPhone 16e, it does limit some quick adjustments for photography enthusiasts.
In terms of color options, the iPhone 16e offers a minimalist palette of black and white, while the iPhone 16 is available in five vibrant colors: black, white, blue, green, and pink.
Display and Performance Comparison
Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e feature a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a similar resolution (1,170 x 2,532 pixels for the iPhone 16e and 1,179 x 2,556 pixels for the iPhone 16). While the refresh rate remains capped at 60 Hz, which has drawn criticism from users seeking smoother scrolling experiences, the iPhone 16e does have a slightly lower brightness capability. It reaches a maximum brightness of 800 nits in standard mode and 1,200 nits in HDR, while the iPhone 16 can achieve up to 1,000 nits and 1,600 nits, respectively. This difference could impact visibility in bright conditions.
Performance-wise, both devices are powered by the advanced A18 chip, but the iPhone 16 features five GPU cores compared to four in the iPhone 16e. For everyday tasks, this difference may not be noticeable, but gamers or users engaged in intensive applications might find the extra GPU core beneficial. Both models come with 8 GB of RAM, ensuring smooth operation of Apple’s AI features.
However, there is a disparity in wireless connectivity. The iPhone 16e introduces a new Apple-designed 5G modem, touted for its energy efficiency but likely to fall short of the Qualcomm modem in the iPhone 16 in terms of performance. Moreover, the iPhone 16e supports only Wi-Fi 6, while the iPhone 16 embraces the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, offering an additional 6 GHz frequency band for faster and less congested internet access.
Additionally, the iPhone 16e lacks Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology, which is present in the iPhone 16, potentially affecting precise location tracking features, such as those used with AirTags.
Battery Life: Which One Lasts Longer?
Apple has not disclosed the exact battery capacity of the iPhone 16e, but it has provided estimates based on typical usage scenarios. The iPhone 16e claims to last up to 26 hours for video playback, surpassing the 22 hours of the iPhone 16. In video streaming scenarios, the iPhone 16e is rated for 21 hours, while the iPhone 16 offers 18 hours. For audio playback, the iPhone 16e is expected to last an impressive 90 hours compared to the iPhone 16’s 80 hours. While these figures suggest better battery performance for the iPhone 16e, real-world usage will ultimately determine actual endurance.
Both devices support fast charging, reaching up to 50% charge in just 30 minutes with a 20W adapter or higher, making them convenient for on-the-go users.