Apple iPhone 16e: Is This the Value iPhone You’ve Been Waiting For? (Review)
Apple iPhone 16e offers great performance, a sleek design & Apple Intelligence, but is it worth the price? Find out in our review!
Apple iPhone 16e is a solid phone with a sleek design, fitting well into the iPhone 16 lineup. However, it’s not groundbreaking—it has a retro notch and just one 48MP camera.
Cheaper alternatives offer larger screens and multiple cameras, but the iPhone 16e shines within Apple’s ecosystem. If you use a Mac or other Apple devices, its seamless integration makes it a good choice.
Apple has moved on from the old SE design but hasn’t introduced anything entirely new. The display is high-quality, but the notch and lack of features like Dynamic Island or an ultra-wide camera may disappoint some. The 48MP camera takes great photos and videos, though its 2x zoom is just a crop rather than a true zoom lens.
A key highlight is the C1 chip, Apple’s first custom modem, which delivers strong 5G and satellite connectivity while also helping with battery life—lasting up to 26 hours of video playback.
The iPhone 16e offers smooth performance and a great user experience with iOS 18, but for those seeking a budget-friendly phone under $600, options like the Google Pixel 8a or OnePlus 13R may offer better value outside Apple’s ecosystem.
Apple iPhone 16e – Full Specifications
| 🔹 Category | 🔹 Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Release Date | February 28, 2025 |
| 📏 Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.31 in) |
| ⚖️ Weight | 167 g (5.89 oz) |
| 🔳 Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| 📶 SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM (International), eSIM (USA, max 2 at a time), Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China) |
| 💧 Water Resistance | IP68 (up to 6m for 30 min) |
| 🖥️ Display | Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10 |
| 📏 Screen Size | 6.1 inches (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| 🔢 Resolution | 1170 x 2532 pixels (457 ppi density) |
| 🛡️ Screen Protection | Ceramic Shield glass |
| 📲 Operating System | iOS 18.3.1 |
| ⚙️ Processor | Apple A18 (3 nm), Hexa-core (2×4.04 GHz + 4×2.20 GHz) |
| 🎮 GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
| 💾 Storage Options | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM (NVMe) |
| 📀 Memory Card Slot | ❌ No |
| 📸 Main Camera | 48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), PDAF, OIS |
| ✨ Camera Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama, 3D spatial audio |
| 🎥 Main Camera Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, OIS, stereo sound recording |
| 🤳 Selfie Camera | 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), PDAF, SL 3D depth sensor |
| 📽️ Selfie Camera Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, HDR |
| 🔊 Audio | 🎵 Stereo speakers, ❌ No 3.5mm jack |
| 📡 Connectivity | 📶 Wi-Fi 6, 📡 Bluetooth 5.3, 🌍 GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC, 📲 NFC |
| 🔌 USB Port | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 🔋 Battery | Li-Ion 4005 mAh |
| ⚡ Charging | ⚡ Wired: 50% in 30 min, 🔋 Wireless: 7.5W (Qi) |
| 🎨 Colors | ⚫ Black, ⚪ White |
| 📛 Models | A3212, A3409, A3410, A3408, iPhone17,5 |
| 💰 Price | ₹59,900 / $599.99 / £599.00 / €699.00 |
| 🔊 Loudspeaker Test | 🔉 -25.7 LUFS (Very good) |
| 🔍 Special Features | 🔐 Face ID, 🆘 Emergency SOS, 🛰️ Satellite Messages, 💳 Apple Pay |
Apple iPhone 16e: Price & Availability
Apple introduced the iPhone 16e on February 19, 2025, as the most affordable model in the iPhone 16 lineup. Priced at $599 / £599 / AU$999 for the 128GB version, it comes in black or white.
While some may see it as the successor to the iPhone SE 3, it differs significantly—especially in price. The iPhone SE 3 launched at $429, making the iPhone 16e a pricier “budget” option. However, it is still $200 cheaper than the base iPhone 16.
While Google Pixel 8a has a 6.1-inch screen and dual rear cameras at a lesser price, the OnePlus 13R has a larger 6.7-inch display and three cameras when compared to non-Apple rivals.
Within iOS ecosystem, a refurbished iPhone 14 starts at $529 but does not have Apple Intelligence while iPhone 15 costs $699 and comes with Dynamic Island and an ultra-wide camera.
Apple iPhone 16e: Design
iPhone 16e moves away from the iPhone SE design, embracing a hybrid look inspired by the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15. The edges are sharper than the current iPhone 16, giving it a distinctive feel.
At first glance, the iPhone 16e resembles the base iPhone 16, with a slightly smaller aluminum frame. However, it stands out with a single camera on the matte glass back, which gives it a more minimalist look. The metal band around the body feels sharper compared to other models, but the phone remains comfortable to hold.
The button layout is similar to the iPhone 15, with the power button on the right and the volume and Action buttons on the left. Unlike the rest of the iPhone 16 models, the iPhone 16e lacks the Camera Control button, but the Action button is customizable. You can set it to activate features like the camera, flashlight, or voice memo. I personally use mine to open Visual Intelligence, an Apple feature that lets you take a photo and then search or analyze the image.
The iPhone 16e is rated IP68 for water and dust resistance, able to withstand submersion in water up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. The Ceramic Shield protects the screen from drops, though it might not prevent scratches as effectively. After using the phone for a day, I noticed a scratch on the screen despite being careful with it. If you like the design of earlier iPhones, the iPhone 16e won’t disappoint.
iPhone 16e Display: Almost Great, but the Notch is Back
The iPhone 16e offers a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, a major upgrade from the 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. It delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and sharp details, though it has slightly larger bezels than other iPhone 16 models.
Unlike the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup, the 16e brings back the notch instead of the Dynamic Island. This notch houses Face ID, which remains one of the best smartphone facial recognition systems, along with a 12MP front camera and sensors. While the notch isn’t a dealbreaker, many would prefer the Dynamic Island found on pricier models.
The display has a resolution of 2532 x 1170 (460ppi), supporting True Tone, Wide Color (P3), and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio. However, its brightness maxes out at 1,200 nits for HDR and 800 nits for standard content, lower than the 2,000-nit outdoor brightness of the iPhone 16. It also sticks to a 60Hz refresh rate, unlike the smoother ProMotion displays on Pro models.
Despite these limitations, the iPhone 16e’s screen remains excellent for photos, videos, gaming, and everyday use. Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and even in bright lighting, visibility is good—except under direct sunlight, where higher brightness would help. While the notch may cut into some gameplay, most streaming apps use a letterbox format, avoiding distractions.
iPhone 16e: Smarter Software with iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence
iPhone 16e runs on iOS 18, offering more customization and smarter features. You can change app icons, expand widgets, and rearrange the Control Center for easy access.
Apple Intelligence is more useful, appearing in Messages, Mail, notifications, and image tools. Visual Intelligence offers instant access to ChatGPT and Google Search, while features like Image Playground and Genmojis foster creativity.
While Clean Up removes unnecessary features from photos, Audio Mix enhances the sound quality for podcasts and social media.
However, the new Photos and Mail updates can be confusing. Siri is smarter but still not as advanced as Google Gemini or ChatGPT in conversations.
iPhone 16e: A Solid Camera, But Lacking Versatility
The majority of phones at this price range come with at least two lenses, but the iPhone 16e features a single 48MP Fusion back camera that produces crisp, colorful images. You can’t take wide-angle and macro photos without an ultra-wide lens.
Nevertheless, the primary camera works effectively, taking crisp, natural-color pictures. By default, it takes 24MP pictures for higher quality. Although beneficial, 2x zoom reduces to 12MP resolution.
iPhone 16e: Fast, Powerful and Smart
iPhone 16e runs on the A18 chip, just like the iPhone 16, with only a slight GPU difference you won’t notice. It handles 4K video editing, gaming and daily tasks smoothly.
Game mode improves performance and gaming is quick and responsive. Rich spatial audio from stereo speakers improves games like Call of Duty Mobile and Resident Evil 4.
Apple’s new C1 chip ensures strong 5G connectivity and supports satellite texting. In weak signal areas, satellite messaging works seamlessly, providing a reliable backup.
iPhone 16e: Strong Battery Life
The iPhone 16e has a bigger battery than the iPhone 16, lasting up to 26 hours of video playback. In real use, gaming drains it faster (about 12 hours), while streaming lasted 24 hours in tests.
Charging is quick—57% in 30 minutes with a 65W charger, fully charging in under 2 hours. It supports wireless charging but skips MagSafe to make room for the larger battery.
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iPhone 16e: Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| 🏗 Durable, lightweight design | 📏 Not as compact as the SE or Mini |
| 📺 Sharp Dolby Vision OLED display | 💰 Not a budget-friendly option |
| 🔊 Excellent speakers | ⏳ 60Hz display, less smooth animations |
| ⚡ Fast A18 chipset, solid performance | 🚫 No MagSafe support |
| 📸 48MP camera with 2x zoom | 🎮 One fewer GPU core than iPhone 16 |
| 🍏 Runs on iOS 18 | ❌ |
Conclusion
With its outstanding screen, quick performance, Apple Intelligence, and the new C1 modem, the iPhone 16e is a significant improvement over the iPhone SE. But it’s no longer a cost-effective choice. It retains the notch and only has one camera in spite of the increased cost. Although it’s a good iPhone, it’s not the greatest choice for anyone looking for a phone that’s actually reasonably priced.
