Just five months after the iPhone 16’s grand debut, the Cupertino giant Apple dropped another curveball. In February 2025, the brand introduced a new member of the flagship family: the iPhone 16e. While the handset echoes the ‘essentials at an affordable price’ spirit of the iPhone SE, it brings a slightly different skillset to the table and a fancy one, no less.
Also Read: Apple iPhone 16 Review: Feels And Handles Like A Pro, Minus The Price Tag
iPhone 16e Design: Blending Elements From iPhone 14 And iPhone XR
During my hands-on experience with the iPhone 16e, I could only think about how it doesn’t look like the iPhone SE 3 (or the older models) at all. The edge-to-edge screen and the giant notch at the top remind me of the iPhone 14, while the single-camera setup on the back looks like that on the iPhone XR.
However, the flat edges, slightly textured aluminum frame, and Action Button bring the phones closer to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 lineups. The SIM tray is located on the left frame, while the USB-C port and the speaker/microphone grills are located on the lower frame. Moreover, the phone provides a solid in-hand feel, as is common on the iPhones.
The Notch Up Top Doesn’t Look Good (But Only If You’re Accustomed To The Dynamic Island)
Although Apple says that the iPhone 16e has a 6.1-inch screen, the phone appeared to be slightly smaller when held next to the iPhone 15 or the iPhone 16. I can’t stress this enough, but next to the Dynamic Island on the newer iPhones, the Face ID notch on the iPhone 16e looks odd (and a bit outdated. I guess Apple is counting on the key demographic’s ignorance toward the notch at the top.
Anyway, the iPhone 16e is available in two color options: black and white. Honestly, these are the most boring colors Apple could have launched the iPhone 16e in, but at the same time, these are the safest color options that appeal to the masses (another reason why I think the target audience for the iPhone 16e is not the same as the iPhone 16).
Also Read: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Review: Still the King?
How iPhone 16e Stands Next To Older iPhones
Right off the bat, the iPhone 16e features the A18 chip (with one less GPU core), which enables all the fancy Apple Intelligence features. As and when Apple unveils the on-screen awareness features for Siri, they’ll be available on the iPhone 16e. This is a major advantage that the phone offers over older models.
Further, the iPhone 16e offers excellent battery life. Apple claims the handset can outlast the baseline iPhone 16 on a charge, which is good for people who don’t want to carry hefty power banks. While the iPhone 14 and older models have a Lightning Port, the iPhone 16e has a USB-C port, which solves the problem of carrying a separate cable for the iPhone.
It’s not that iPhone 16e customers won’t have to make any compromises. For instance, they won’t get the Dynamic Island, a dual-camera setup, or the convenient MagSafe charging. However, the only question here is whether these features matter to someone who is getting the iPhone 16e.
iPhone 16e Tech Specs
- Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.80 mm
- Weight: 167 grams
- Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 1,200 nits of peak brightness in HDR mode (460 ppi)
- Processor: A18 chip with a six-core CPU, four-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB
- Operating System: iOS 18 with Apple Intelligence
- Camera: 48MP (f/1.6) primary camera with 2x in-sensor zoom, 12MP (f/1.9) front camera; 4K Dolby Vision video recording at up to 60 fps
- Battery: up to 26 hours of video playback, supports 20W wired charging (up to 50% in 30 minutes)
- Connectivity: 5G (sub-6 GHz), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth v5.3, NFC with reader mode, GPS, USB-C
- Safety: Emergency SOS via satellite, Roadside Assistance via satellite, Crash Detection
iPhone 16e Price
iPhone 16e is available from Rs. 59,999 for the baseline variant with 128GB storage.
Also Read: iPhone 16 Pro And iPhone 16 Pro Max With A18 Pro Chip And Apple Intelligence Go Official
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