When you wanted a budget-friendly iPhone, the SE was often a good choice for many. With a price tag under 500 dollars, a smaller design, and some nice features, it was a good option for Apple lovers who wanted something that was a step down for the flagship devices, both in price and features. Now, iPhone 16e has arrived, bringing with it a modern look, bigger design, first-ever in-house modem, improved camera setup, Apple Intelligence, a USB-C port, a powerful chip, and more. Let’s take a deeper dive into the newest phone in the Apple lineup.
iPhone 16e design & display
iPhone 16e introduces a fresh design that moves away from the compact feel of the iPhone SE series. It now sports a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, giving it a more modern and immersive look. This new screen size makes the 16e feel less like the traditional "entry-level" iPhone, and more like a mid-range device with vibrant colors and sharp details thanks to the OLED technology. It’s a big change considering the last-generation iPhone SE had just a 4.7-inch LCD screen.
The design itself has been updated to include slimmer bezels and a notch for Face ID, offering more screen real estate and an overall cleaner aesthetic. Gone are the home buttons of the past, replaced by a smooth, almost bezel-less front. Available in your choice of a black or white matte finish, the build quality feels premium, and with the latest updates, the device now comes with the same tough Ceramic Shield front glass found on the iPhone 16 series, making it more durable than its predecessors.
iPhone 16e performance
iPhone 16e is powered by the same A18 chip found in the more expensive iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models, although it’s not the pro-level chip on the Pro and Pro Max devices. Still, the A18 offers a significant jump in speed and efficiency over the A15 chip offered on the previous generation SE, making this phone a solid performer, whether you're multitasking or running demanding apps and games. With the A18, you’ll notice faster load times, improved graphics performance, and more efficient power usage.
iPhone 16e is also the only iPhone equipped with Apple's first in-house 5G modem, the new Apple C1, which supports both Sub-6 GHz and mmWave 5G bands, ensuring a future-proof device capable of delivering ultra-fast cellular connectivity and more power efficiency than any iPhone its size, including iPhone 15 and 16.
iPhone 16e battery power & charging
With those efficiencies baked in, iPhone 16e has the best battery life ever on a 6.1-inch iPhone—and it lasts up to 12 hours longer than every iPhone SE before it. It also features 16 hours of video playback. In terms of charging, the 16e finally makes the switch to USB-C, aligning with the industry standard and offering faster charging times. This makes it much more versatile, especially if you have other USB-C devices. It supports fast charging with a 20W adapter or higher (sold separately), so you can get a 50% charge in about a half-an-hour.
iPhone 16e camera setup
Apple has improved its camera technology for this budget-friendly model, making sure you don’t have to compromise on photo quality. iPhone 16e features a 2-in-1 48MP fusion camera with integrated 2x Telephoto lens. The 48MP sensor is capable of capturing sharp, detailed images even in low-light conditions, thanks to Night Mode and the advanced image processing provided by the A18 chip.
Additionally, the 16e has Apple's latest computational photography features, including Smart HDR 5 and Deep Fusion, which help optimize your photos for vibrant colors, balanced exposure, and reduced noise. It’s an impressive offering for the price, especially if you enjoy capturing memories without needing professional-grade features.
iPhone 16e Apple Intelligence capabilities
Aside from Apple Intelligence keeping everything running smoothly in the background, you’ll also notice some handy AI features baked-in to iPhone 16e, including a dedicated Action button that gives you instant access to your favorite apps and tools, a more intuitive Siri experience, helpful AI writing tools, priority messages, instant Genmoji creations, a Clean Up tool to remove distractions from photos, an Image Playground app that lets you create your own unique images, and so much more.
iPhone 16e pricing
iPhone 16e base model (128GB) starts at a more affordable price than the iPhone 16 series at just $599. It’s a sweet spot for those who want an iPhone with strong performance and a modern design—but one that won’t break the bank. While it’s a bit higher priced than the previous iPhone SE models, the upgraded specs, larger screen, efficient design, AI capabilities, and USB-C charging make the 16e a solid value for anyone looking for a more budget-friendly iPhone experience—but don’t need all the bells and whistles of the flagship models.
Is iPhone 16e right for you?
If you were hoping for a new iPhone SE with minimal changes, a smaller design, and a price tag under $500, iPhone 16e may be a bit of a surprise. But with its powerful A18 chip, modern aesthetic and other upgrades, it really is a feature-packed device for the entry-level market. Here’s a quick look at the features:
- 6.1" Super-Retina XDR OLED Display
- Ceramic Shield Front
- A-18 Chip
- Face ID
- Apple Intelligence
- Action Button
- 2-in-1 Camera System / 48MP Fusion / 2x Optical Zoom
- 4K Video with Dolby Vision up to 60 fps
- USB-C Charging
- Superfast 5G Cellular
- 128GB/256GB/512GB Storage Options
- Rated IP68 for Splash, Water & Dust
- Black or White Color Options
- Price: Starting around $599
In short, iPhone 16e makes a strong case for being the new go-to iPhone for budget-conscious people who still want power and performance.
Still can’t decide? You may also be interested In:
A Comprehensive Review: Our Best iPhones of 2025
Compare iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 15 Series
Historical Evolution of iPhone
Sources:
https://www.apple.com/iphone-16e
https://www.apple.com/iphone/compare/?modelList=iphone-16e,iphone-se-3rd-gen,iphone-16-pro-max
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/02/19/apple-unveils-c1
https://www.theverge.com/news/615314/apple-iphone-16e-c1-cell-modem-in-house-5g