iPhone 16E: What’s New, What’s Missing, and Should You Buy It?
Is the iPhone 16E worth buying? In this detailed guide, we break down what’s new, what’s missing, and whether it’s a good deal for $599. Learn about its features, pros, cons, and best alternatives before making a decision!
Ryan R
Contributing Writer
Apple has unveiled the iPhone 16E, an affordable addition to the iPhone 16 lineup. With a mix of powerful features and surprising omissions, is it worth buying? In this guide, we’ll break down what’s new, what’s missing, and whether you should buy the iPhone 16E.
What’s New in the iPhone 16E?
Apple has introduced some exciting upgrades to the iPhone 16E. Here’s what stands out
A18 Chip for Faster Performance
The A18 chip powers the iPhone 16E, offering smooth performance and better power efficiency. Compared to the A13 chip in the iPhone 11, it’s up to 80% faster.
Apple’s First Custom 5G Modem
The C1 modem is Apple’s first in-house 5G modem, making the iPhone 16E more power-efficient and improving battery life.
Longer Battery Life
Apple claims the iPhone 16E has the best battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone, lasting up to 6 hours longer than the iPhone 11.
48MP Fusion Camera with 2x Telephoto
The 48MP rear camera captures high-resolution photos with better detail. It also features a 2x telephoto mode, meaning you can zoom in without losing image quality.
Apple Intelligence Features
The iPhone 16E is fully compatible with Apple Intelligence, which includes:
- Genmoji – Create custom emojis.
- Clean Up Tool – Remove unwanted objects from photos.
- Advanced Siri Features – More context-aware and conversational.
- Image Playground – Generate fun AI images.
Satellite Connectivity for Emergencies
Like premium iPhone models, the 16E includes Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, and Find My via satellite, keeping you connected in remote areas.
USB-C Charging
The iPhone 16E joins the rest of Apple’s lineup in adopting USB-C, making it easier to charge and connect to accessories.
Improved Water Resistance
With an IP68 rating, the iPhone 16E is resistant to dust and water up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, an upgrade from the iPhone SE 3’s 1-meter rating.
What’s Missing in the iPhone 16E?
While the iPhone 16E has some great features, it also cuts corners in several areas:
No MagSafe Support
Unlike other iPhone 16 models, the 16E does not support MagSafe, meaning MagSafe accessories won’t work unless you buy a case with MagSafe rings.
Limited Wireless Charging Speeds
Wireless charging is capped at 7.5W, compared to 25W on other iPhone 16 models.
No Ultra-Wideband Chip
Without an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) chip, Precision Finding for AirTags won’t work, making location tracking less accurate.
Weaker GPU Performance
Even though it has the A18 chip, the 4-core GPU in the iPhone 16E is weaker than the 5-core GPU in the iPhone 16 and significantly behind the 6-core GPU in the iPhone 16 Pro.
Older Wi-Fi Standard
The iPhone 16E only supports Wi-Fi 6, while other iPhone 16 models support Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, which offer faster speeds and better network performance.
Single Rear Camera
Unlike the iPhone 16, the 16E lacks an ultra-wide camera and sensor-shift stabilization, using a smaller camera sensor instead.
60Hz Display Instead of 120Hz
Apple still uses a 60Hz display on the iPhone 16E, whereas most Android phones at this price point already have 120Hz screens for smoother scrolling and animations.
Thicker Bezels & Lower Brightness
The iPhone 16E has thicker display bezels and lower screen brightness:
- HDR Brightness: 1,200 nits (vs. 1,600 nits on iPhone 16)
- Outdoor Brightness: 800 nits (vs. 2,000 nits on iPhone 16)
- Same Notch as iPhone 14 (no Dynamic Island)
No Camera Control Button
The iPhone 16E lacks the dedicated camera control button found in the standard iPhone 16.
Limited Color Options
Unlike the colorful iPhone 16 lineup, the 16E only comes in black and white.
Higher Price Than Expected
At $599, the iPhone 16E is $170 more expensive than the previous iPhone SE 3 ($429).
Should You Buy the iPhone 16E?
Now that we’ve covered the pros and cons, let’s look at whether the iPhone 16E is the right choice for you.
Who Should Buy the iPhone 16E?
✅ You want the cheapest iPhone in the latest lineup
✅ You need great battery life
✅ You prefer iOS and Apple Intelligence features
✅ You don’t care about high refresh rate displays
✅ You want a decent 48MP camera without extra lenses
Who Should Skip the iPhone 16E?
❌ You use MagSafe accessories – No MagSafe support.
❌ You want fast wireless charging – Limited to 7.5W.
❌ You need an ultra-wide camera – Only one rear camera.
❌ You want a smooth 120Hz display – Stuck at 60Hz.
❌ You care about premium build and modern design – Still has the old notch and thick bezels.
Alternative Options to Consider
If the iPhone 16E doesn’t seem like the best value for you, consider these alternatives:
🔹 iPhone 16 ($799+) – A better display, Wi-Fi 6E, Dynamic Island, and dual cameras for just $200 more.
🔹 Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro ($689+) – Three cameras, ProMotion (120Hz), MagSafe, and better build quality for around the same price.
🔹 Google Pixel 8 ($599) – Android alternative with 120Hz display, better AI features, and superior camera software.
