iPhone 16e is a new addition to Apple Inc.’s iPhone lineup, announced on February 19, 2025, alongside other iPhone 16 models such as the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Positioned as the entry-level model in the iPhone 16 series, the iPhone 16e is priced at $599, marking a $170 increase from its predecessor, the iPhone SE (3rd generation).
The iPhone 16e features a 6.1-inch edge-to-edge display, but retains the older iPhone 14-style notch, rather than the newer Dynamic Island introduced in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 series. It includes Face ID, a USB-C port (in compliance with European Union regulations), and an action button to replace the traditional mute switch. Despite being an entry-level model, the iPhone 16e is powered by the A18 SoC, though with a slightly less powerful 4-core GPU compared to the standard iPhone 16.
In terms of camera, the iPhone 16e offers a single 48MP Fusion camera with optical zoom capabilities, capable of shooting 4K video. However, it lacks advanced features such as an ultra-wide camera and the ultra-wideband (UWB) chip found in higher-end iPhone models. The iPhone 16e is also missing support for Qi2 and MagSafe charging.
With an emphasis on performance and efficiency, the iPhone 16e is equipped with a 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage configuration, and comes with 8GB of RAM—double the memory of the previous iPhone SE. It also boasts an IP68 water and dust resistance rating. Notably, the device uses an Apple-designed C1 modem for cellular connectivity, replacing the Qualcomm modem seen in the other iPhone models. However, due to the lack of mmWave 5G support, the iPhone 16e doesn’t match the connectivity capabilities of the higher-end models.
The display on the iPhone 16e is a Super Retina XDR OLED panel with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels and HDR10 and Dolby Vision support. Unlike the more premium iPhone 16 models, the iPhone 16e retains the older-style notch for the front-facing camera and Face ID sensor.
The rear camera setup includes a 48MP main sensor with a ƒ/1.6 aperture, autofocus, and optical image stabilization. The camera system supports Smart HDR 5, Night Mode, Deep Fusion, and Photonic Engine for enhanced photos, but lacks advanced features like Cinematic Mode or Action Mode. On the front, a 12MP TrueDepth camera supports 4K video recording and slow-motion video.
The battery life of the iPhone 16e is impressive, with up to 26 hours of video playback and 90 hours of audio playback. The phone supports wireless charging at 7.5W through the Qi standard, but does not feature MagSafe.
Running iOS 18.3 out of the box, the iPhone 16e also includes support for Apple Intelligence, providing smarter features and enhanced performance.
Reception for the iPhone 16e has been positive overall, with reviewers praising its battery life and the Apple-designed C1 modem. However, some criticized the price point and noted the absence of MagSafe as a downside. Patrick Holland of CNET scored the device 8.5 out of 10, highlighting the 16e’s impressive download and upload speeds, which matched or exceeded those of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The Verge gave the iPhone 16e a 7 out of 10, calling it familiar but noting that it offered a slightly better video call and upload experience compared to the iPhone 16. Wired’s Julian Chokkattu, on the other hand, gave the 16e a 7 out of 10, feeling that its $599 price was slightly too high given the lack of premium features.