iPhone 16e Review: Is This the Right iPhone for You?

The iPhone 16e is Apple’s newest "budget-friendly" phone, but it’s not as cheap as you might expect. Starting at $599, this phone tries to balance modern features with a lower price tag. But does it deliver? Let’s break down everything you need to know about the iPhone 16e, from its design and performance to its camera and battery life.

What Is the iPhone 16e?

The iPhone 16e replaces Apple’s older "SE" models, which were known for being small and affordable. This new version is bigger, pricier, and packed with some cool upgrades—but it’s missing a few things you might expect. If you’re looking for a simple iPhone that won’t break the bank, the 16e could be an option. But before you decide, let’s dive into the details.

Design: Simple but Boring

The iPhone 16e looks a lot like the iPhone 14. It has flat aluminum edges, a glass back, and a small camera bump. The design is clean, but it’s only available in two colors: matte black and matte white. If you like bright colors, you’ll need to buy a case or sticker to personalize it.

What’s Good:

• Lightweight and easy to hold.
• Water-resistant (IP68 rating), so it can survive spills or rain.
• The Action Button replaces the old mute switch. You can program it to open apps or shortcuts.

What’s Not So Good:

• Thick bezels (the black borders around the screen) make it look outdated.
• No fun color options.
• The notch at the top (for Face ID) is bigger than newer iPhones.

Price and Storage: Is It Worth $599?

The iPhone 16e starts at $599 for 128GB of storage. That’s enough for photos, apps, and videos, but heavy users might need more. Upgrading to 256GB costs an extra $100, which feels pricey.

Why It’s Frustrating:

• Older iPhones, like the iPhone 15 Pro, sometimes sell for $600 refurbished (used but checked for quality). Those phones have better cameras, screens, and features.
• Many Android phones under $600 offer more storage and features.

Display: Good but Not Great

The iPhone 16e has a 6.1-inch OLED screen. Colors look bright and sharp, but there are some downsides:

Pros:

• Great for watching videos or scrolling social media.
• OLED means deeper blacks and better contrast than older iPhones.

Cons:

• 60Hz Refresh Rate: Most phones today have smoother 90Hz or 120Hz screens. The 16e’s display feels less fluid when scrolling or gaming.
• Not Very Bright: Hard to see in direct sunlight.
• No Always-On Display: You have to tap the screen to check the time or notifications.

Also read my article to learn more about 28 tips and tricks for iPhone 16e by clicking here.

Performance: Fast but Not Perfect

The iPhone 16e uses Apple’s A18 chip, which is powerful enough for everyday tasks like texting, streaming, and light gaming.

What Works Well:

• Apps open quickly, and multitasking is smooth.
• Supports Apple Intelligence (AI features like photo editing and writing help).

What Doesn’t:

• Gaming: Demanding games like Genshin Impact lag or drop frames.
• Binned Chip: The A18 here has one fewer GPU core than the iPhone 16 Pro, so it’s slightly slower.

Battery Life: The Best Feature

The iPhone 16e’s battery lasts all day, even with heavy use. Apple’s new C1 modem (the part that connects to Wi-Fi and cellular networks) helps save power.

What to Expect:

• 6–7 hours of screen time (videos, games, etc.).
• Slow charging: 20W wired charging takes over an hour. Wireless charging is even slower (7.5W).

Camera: Good for Basics

The iPhone 16e has a single 48MP rear camera. It takes nice photos in daylight but struggles in low light.

Pros:

• Daylight photos are sharp and colorful.
• 2x zoom (cropped from the main sensor) works okay for close-ups.

Cons:

• Low Light: Photos get blurry or grainy.
• No Ultrawide or Telephoto: You can’t zoom in far or capture wide landscapes.
• No Cinematic Mode: For recording movie-style videos.

Selfie Camera:

• 12MP front camera takes decent selfies and supports 4K video.

Software: iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence

The iPhone 16e runs iOS 18, which includes:

• Apple Intelligence Tools: Rewrite texts, summarize articles, or remove photo backgrounds. These features are fun but not always reliable.
• Siri Upgrades: Siri is smarter but still makes mistakes.

Missing Features:

• No Always-On Display.
• Limited lock-screen shortcuts.

I also wrote an article all about iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16 that I encourage you to read! 

Connectivity: New Modem, Mixed Results

The iPhone 16e uses Apple’s first in-house 5G modem (C1). It works fine for calls and browsing, but:

• No mmWave 5G (super-fast 5G in cities).
• No Wi-Fi 7 (the latest Wi-Fi standard).

Who Should Buy the iPhone 16e?

The iPhone 16e is best for:

1. Upgraders from Older iPhones (iPhone 11 or earlier).
2. Light Users who just need calls, texts, and social media.
3. Budget Shoppers who want a new (not refurbished) iPhone.

Avoid It If:

• You want the best camera or gaming performance.
• You’re on a tight budget (cheaper Android phones offer more).

Final Verdict

The iPhone 16e isn’t a bad phone, but it’s not a great deal either. For $599, you get a solid battery, good performance, and a simple design. However, the slow charging, outdated display, and missing features make it hard to recommend.

Consider Buying If:

• You’re upgrading from an iPhone 11 or older.
• You don’t care about high refresh rates or fancy cameras.

Look Elsewhere If:

• You want the best value (check refurbished iPhone 15 Pro).
• You prefer Android (phones like the Google Pixel 8a offer more features for less).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does the iPhone 16e support MagSafe?
No. You’ll need a case with magnets to use MagSafe accessories.

2. Is the iPhone 16e waterproof?
Yes! It has an IP68 rating, so it can survive water up to 6 meters deep for 30 minutes.

3. Can I use the iPhone 16e for gaming?
Yes, but avoid heavy games like Genshin Impact. Stick to casual games like Among Us or Roblox.

4. How long will the iPhone 16e get updates?
Apple promises 5 years of iOS updates, so it should stay secure until 2030.

Final Thoughts

The iPhone 16e is a mixed bag. It does the basics well but feels overpriced for what you get. If you’re loyal to Apple and need a simple upgrade, it’s worth considering. Otherwise, explore refurbished iPhones or Android alternatives for better value.