Review Roundup: iPhone 16e: Is it worth the hype?

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Remember when “budget iPhone” meant compromising on everything that made iPhones great? Those days are officially over.

The Cupertino company just dropped the iPhone 16e, rewriting the rules for an affordable iPhone.

At $599, it’s not cheap, but it might just be the smartest price-to-performance ratio we’ve seen from Cupertino in years.

Apple doesn’t send us early review units for whatever reason, but that won’t stop us from covering the new iPhone.

The Market Position

What’s particularly interesting about the iPhone 16e is how it positions itself in the market. This isn’t just a cheaper iPhone – it’s Apple’s attempt to create a new category altogether.

Wired points out that the $599 price point “effectively eliminates the option of a sub-$500 iPhone.” This is a bold move that suggests Apple is confident in the value proposition of their new AI features.

Design and Build

So, we’ve compiled highlights from experts at some of our favorite tech publications to give you a quick rundown of what they had to say about the phone. So, is the iPhone 16e worth checking out? Let’s find out.

According to Forbes, this new device effectively replaces both the iPhone SE (3rd Gen) and the iPhone 14 in Apple’s lineup, marking a significant shift in their product strategy.

Feature	Specification
Display	6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2532 x 1170 pixels, 460 ppi, HDR, True Tone
Design	Aluminum body, Ceramic Shield front, IP68 water/dust resistance
Dimensions	5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.80 mm)
Weight	5.88 ounces (167 grams)
Colors	Black, White
Processor	A18 chip, 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Camera System	48MP main camera, 12MP front camera, 4K video recording, Dolby Vision HDR
Storage Options	128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Battery Life	Up to 26 hours of video playback
Charging	20W fast charging, 7.5W Qi wireless charging
Connectivity	Apple C1 5G modem
Additional Features	Face ID, USB-C connector, Emergency SOS via satellite, iOS 18
Starting Price	$599

The New AI Brain

Here’s where things get interesting.

Reuters reports that the iPhone 16e comes equipped with a new C1 modem chip and runs something called “Apple Intelligence” – the company’s first serious attempt at bringing their AI capabilities to a more budget-conscious audience.

This isn’t just another neural engine rebrand; it’s Apple’s answer to the democratization of AI features that competitors have been pushing.

Performance and Capabilities

The iPhone 16e represents what CNN describes as a crucial move for putting Apple’s AI capabilities into more hands. But it’s not just about artificial intelligence – this phone needs to handle the basics well too.

Looking at the device through my laptop’s screen (again, Apple didn’t provide us with a review unit, so this is the best we can offer you, but after a quick glance, it’s clear that Apple hasn’t skimped on the fundamentals.

The phone feels responsive, handles multitasking smoothly, and maintains that signature iOS fluidity we’ve come to expect.

Battery Life

Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit misleading. While Apple touts “all-day battery life,” the reality is more nuanced.

According to Tom’s Guide’s testing, the iPhone 16e lasted 12 hours and 41 minutes in a standardized web browsing test.

Yes, that’s slightly better than the regular iPhone 16’s 12 hours and 13 minutes, but let’s fdut that in perspective: we’re talking about a 28-minute difference. Hardly revolutionary.

The phone packs a 3,961 mAh battery, which is admittedly larger than previous budget iPhones. But when you compare it to similarly priced Android phones, many of which sport 5,000+ mAh batteries, it feels like Apple is still playing catch-up.

PCMag’s testing shows it is coming “shockingly close” to the battery life of the $1,199 16 Pro Max, but that’s more an indictment of the Pro Max’s efficiency than a triumph for the 16e.

Charging speeds remain firmly stuck in 2022, with 20W wired charging versus the Pixel 8a’s 18W. Both phones share the same pedestrian 7.5W Qi wireless charging speeds. In 2025, when competitors push 45W+ charging speeds, this feels inexcusably dated.

Real-World Performance

Let’s talk about that much-hyped C1 modem chip and “Apple Intelligence.” Wired’s review notes good battery endurance, typically ending the day at “around 51 or 49 percent.”

But here’s what Apple doesn’t want you to focus on: the battery savings come at the cost of performance throttling. While impressive in demos, the AI features can significantly impact battery life when used extensively.

Phone Arena’s detailed comparison reveals that intensive tasks like gaming can drain the battery in as little as 8 hours and 34 minutes.

This phone is supposed to make AI features available to everyone, but there’s a big downside. You have to pick between using the AI features you paid for or making sure your phone lasts all day.

Camera System: The Deliberate Handicap

The 48MP Fusion camera sounds impressive until you realize what’s missing. PCMag’s comparison reveals that while the iPhone 16 supports 0.5x, 1x, and 2x optical zoom, the 16e is limited to 1x and 3x.

No ultra-wide lens, no macro photography, and no spatial photos for Vision Pro. These aren’t technical limitations – they’re deliberate choices to protect the premium iPhone 16 line.

Feature	iPhone 16E
Main Camera	48-megapixel wide camera
Video Recording	4K at 60 fps
Front Camera	12-megapixel front-facing camera
Zoom Capability	2x magnification (sensor cropping)
Photo Features	Apple Intelligence features
Ultra-Wide Camera	Not available
Spatial Video	Not available
Display Brightness	1,200 nits peak brightness

Pricing and Availability

Let’s break down the important dates and details:

• Price: Starts at $599 for 128GB
• Pre-orders: Begin February 21, 2025
• Release date: February 28, 2025
  According to Tom’s Guide, you’ll want to get your pre-orders in early, suggesting high demand is expected.

The ‘e’ Factor

Interestingly, 9to5Mac reports that when asked about the meaning of the ‘e’ in iPhone 16e during the press briefing, Apple claimed it meant “nothing at all.”

This kind of purposeful ambiguity is classic Apple – let the product speak for itself rather than get caught up in naming conventions.

What stands out most about the iPhone 16e is how it doesn’t feel like a compromise. Yes, you’re saving $200-400 compared to the main iPhone 16 lineup, but the day-to-day experience doesn’t scream “budget phone.”

The AI features appear to be snappy, the camera produces excellent results (though not quite matching the Pro models), and the battery life is solid.

The Competition

At $599, the iPhone 16e faces stiff competition from Android devices that have been pushing AI features for months. However, Apple’s hardware and software integration continues to provide an edge in real-world performance.

The question isn’t whether the iPhone 16e can compete with other midrange phones – it’s whether it can cannibalize sales of Apple’s higher-end models.

Here’s a comparative table highlighting the main competitors of the iPhone 16e, showcasing their specifications and features:

Smartphone	Price	Display	Camera	Battery	Processor	Unique Features
Apple iPhone 16e	$599	6.1-inch OLED	48MP Fusion (1x, 3x zoom)	3,961 mAh	A17 chip	AI capabilities, minimalist design
Google Pixel 8a	$499	6.1-inch OLED	64MP main, 13MP ultrawide	Not specified	Tensor G3	120Hz refresh rate, long software support
OnePlus 13R	~$600	6.74-inch AMOLED	50MP main, additional sensors	6,000 mAh	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	High refresh rate, competitive pricing
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE	~$650	6.7-inch AMOLED	50MP main, 8MP telephoto, 12MP ultrawide	Not specified	Exynos 2400 / Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	Extensive software support, good camera setup
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)	$400	6.7-inch OLED	50MP main	Not specified	MediaTek Dimensity 920	Includes stylus, budget-friendly
Realme GT 7 Pro	~$599	6.74-inch LTPO AMOLED	Triple camera system	Not specified	Snapdragon 8 Elite	120W fast charging, gaming features

So, should you buy the iPhone 16e>

The iPhone 16e makes the most sense for:

• Users upgrading from an iPhone SE or iPhone 12/13
• Those who want Apple’s AI features without the Pro price tag
• Budget-conscious buyers who still want premium build quality
• Anyone who values longevity (Apple’s software support is unmatched)

However, if you’re coming from a recent flagship phone or need pro-level camera features, you might want to look at the main iPhone 16 lineup instead.

The Verdict

The iPhone 16e isn’t just another budget iPhone—it’s a statement about Apple’s vision for the future of mobile computing.

By bringing their AI capabilities to a more accessible price point, they’re democratizing features that would have been premium-only just a year ago.

While it’s not perfect (the camera system could be better, and some might miss the more premium materials of the Pro models), it’s arguably the most interesting iPhone launch in recent memory.

For $599, you’re getting a phone that doesn’t just keep up with the basics but actively pushes the boundaries of what we expect from a mid-range device.

The iPhone 16e might have a lowercase ‘e’ in its name, but it represents a capital-S Shift in Apple’s strategy. Overall, this isn’t the iPhone for everyone, but it might be the iPhone for most people.

What are your thoughts on Apple’s bold move with the iPhone 16e? Do you think it’s a game-changer for the mid-range market, or are there still areas where Apple needs to catch up? Share your opinions in the comments below.