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Apple has rebranded its budget iPhone lineup, replacing the iPhone SE with the iPhone 16e. While it may not be as compact or affordable as its predecessor, it has already proven to be a bestseller, surpassing the iPhone SE (2022) in popularity. The iPhone 16e introduces a more affordable way to experience iOS, priced at €699 (approximately $750 USD), which is €200 ($250) less than the standard iPhone 16.
This raises an important question: iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16 – which one is the better choice for you? Let’s break down the differences.
Design and Build: Almost Identical, Yet Slightly Different
The iPhone 16e and iPhone 16 are practically identical in terms of size and weight. Both smartphones boast Ceramic Shield front panels, aluminum frames, and frosted glass backs. Their IP68 rating ensures resistance to dust and water, allowing them to survive in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes.
However, a key difference is that the iPhone 16e comes with first-gen Ceramic Shield, while the iPhone 16 has a second-gen Ceramic Shield, which Apple claims is more durable. That said, both devices offer a premium design and build quality, making them among the most compact flagship devices in today’s market.
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Display
Both iPhones feature Super Retina XDR OLED panels with a fixed 60Hz refresh rate, HDR10, and Dolby Vision support. However, the iPhone 16e retains the classic notch, reminiscent of the iPhone 13, while the iPhone 16 features Apple’s Dynamic Island with a modern pill-shaped cutout.
Another notable difference is brightness. While both screens offer good manual brightness levels (800 nits on the iPhone 16e and 850 nits on the iPhone 16), the iPhone 16 provides an extra sunlight boost up to 1,708 nits, making it superior for outdoor visibility.
Overall, the iPhone 16 wins in this category with a modern cutout and better brightness.
Battery Life and Charging: Bigger Doesn’t Mean Better
The iPhone 16e houses a 4,005mAh battery, which is larger than the 3,561mAh battery in the iPhone 16. However, real-world battery tests show that the iPhone 16 lasts longer, outperforming the 16e across all battery life benchmarks.
Both phones support wired charging via USB-C and can reach:
- 30% in 15 minutes
- 60% in 30 minutes
- Full charge in about 90 minutes
However, wireless charging differs. The iPhone 16 supports MagSafe charging up to 25W and Qi2 wireless charging up to 15W, while the iPhone 16e lacks MagSafe and Qi2 compliance, maxing out at 7.5W on standard Qi chargers.
For battery efficiency and charging versatility, the iPhone 16 wins again.
Audio and Speaker Performance
Both devices use a hybrid stereo speaker setup with spatial audio and Dolby Atmos support. However, the iPhone 16e features the same speaker system as the iPhone 14, meaning its speakers are slightly smaller than those in the iPhone 16.
Despite the difference in hardware, both phones deliver excellent sound quality and received a Very Good rating in speaker loudness tests.
Performance: A18 Chipset with One Key Difference
Both the iPhone 16e and iPhone 16 run on the Apple A18 chipset, boasting a six-core CPU with two performance cores (4.04GHz) and four efficiency cores (2.2GHz). They also come with 8GB of RAM and NVMe storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
The key difference lies in the GPU. The iPhone 16e has a 4-core GPU, while the iPhone 16 features a more powerful 5-core GPU, resulting in 30% better raw performance in gaming.
For general use, both devices perform identically, but for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks, the iPhone 16 takes the lead.
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Camera Comparison
The iPhone 16e features a single 48MP rear camera capable of 2x high-quality zoom, whereas the iPhone 16 has a dual-camera setup, adding a 12MP ultrawide sensor.
While the iPhone 16e’s primary sensor is solid, it has a smaller sensor size (1/2.55″) compared to the iPhone 16’s larger 1/1.56″ sensor, impacting low-light performance. The iPhone 16 also benefits from 100% Focus Pixels and sensor-shift stabilization, while the 16e relies on Hybrid Focus Pixels and lens-based stabilization.
Both phones record 4K60 video, support Dolby Vision HDR, and feature spatial audio recording. However, the iPhone 16’s camera system is more versatile, making it the better choice for photography enthusiasts.
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Which One Should You Buy?
The iPhone 16e delivers a solid iOS experience with a powerful chipset, premium build quality, and a lower price tag. It’s a great choice for users who want an affordable no-frills iPhone.
However, the iPhone 16 justifies its higher price by offering a more powerful GPU, better battery life, MagSafe support, a brighter display, and an improved camera setup. For users who value these upgrades, the extra cost is well worth it.
For budget-conscious buyers, the iPhone 16e is a good alternative. But for those seeking better gaming performance, photography capabilities, and display enhancements, the iPhone 16 is the superior choice.
Still undecided? See how the Apple iPhone 16e stacks up against the Samsung Galaxy S24 in our in-depth comparison!
