Apple has introduced a new budget-friendly iPhone this year—the iPhone 16e, positioned as a cheaper alternative to the iPhone 16. But is saving $200 really worth it, or are you giving up too many features?
At first glance, both devices look quite similar, but dig deeper, and you’ll notice some big differences. The iPhone 16e lacks MagSafe, has a downgraded display, a weaker GPU, and even uses a different modem. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 keeps all the premium features, making it a more future-proof choice.
One of the most controversial changes is Apple’s new C1 modem inside the iPhone 16e, replacing the Qualcomm modem used in the iPhone 16. Does it affect performance? We’ll test that!
Other key differences include camera quality, speaker performance, battery life, and even gaming performance due to fewer GPU cores on the iPhone 16e.
If you’re wondering which iPhone is the right one for you, this in-depth comparison will test every major feature—display brightness, performance benchmarks, connectivity speeds, gaming, and cameras—to help you decide.
So, should you spend extra on the iPhone 16 or save money with the iPhone 16e? Let’s dive into the details and find out!
Design & Build Quality
At first glance, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e look very similar, but there are a few key design differences that set them apart. Both models feature Apple’s signature aluminum frame with a matte glass back, offering a premium feel. However, the camera module design differs—the iPhone 16e has a single-lens camera setup, while the iPhone 16 features a dual-camera system with a pill-shaped design, making it look more modern.
The iPhone 16e is based on the iPhone 14 chassis, meaning it doesn’t have the latest design elements that Apple introduced with the iPhone 16 series. One of the most noticeable differences is the notch on the 16e, while the iPhone 16 features the Dynamic Island, which makes for a more modern look and better UI functionality.
Another key difference is the size of the bezels. The iPhone 16e has slightly thicker bezels compared to the iPhone 16, which already had thicker bezels compared to the Pro models. This means you’re not getting the most modern screen-to-body ratio with the iPhone 16e.
One major downgrade on the iPhone 16e is the removal of MagSafe. Apple took out the MagSafe magnets, meaning wireless charging is limited to just 7.5W instead of the faster 15W MagSafe charging on the iPhone 16. You also lose MagSafe accessories like the magnetic wallet, ring grips, and magnetic car mounts unless you buy a third-party case with built-in MagSafe magnets.
On the side of the iPhones, both devices feature the power button and volume buttons, but the iPhone 16 has the new Camera Control button, which is missing on the iPhone 16e. However, both phones still retain the Action Button, which adds customization options for quick access to functions like Visual Intelligence, Shortcuts, and Camera controls.
Both models come with a USB-C port at the bottom, keeping things uniform across Apple’s lineup. The build quality of both phones is solid, and both are IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, making them durable choices.
In the end, the iPhone 16 has a more modern design with Dynamic Island, thinner bezels, and MagSafe support, while the iPhone 16e feels slightly outdated with its notch and lack of MagSafe. However, if you don’t mind the dated look and missing features, the 16e still offers Apple’s premium build quality at a lower price.
Display Specs & Features
One of the biggest downgrades on the iPhone 16e compared to the iPhone 16 is the display quality and features. While both phones have a 6.1-inch OLED panel, the iPhone 16e uses older display technology that affects brightness and overall viewing experience.
In terms of brightness, the iPhone 16 has a peak brightness of 2,000 nits outdoors, while the iPhone 16e is capped at 1,200 nits. This means that in direct sunlight, the iPhone 16 is significantly easier to see, while the iPhone 16e might appear dimmer and harder to use in bright conditions.
For standard brightness, the iPhone 16 can reach 1,000 nits, while the iPhone 16e only gets 800 nits. Although this difference may not seem huge indoors, it becomes much more noticeable when watching HDR content or using the phone in well-lit environments.
When it comes to HDR support, the iPhone 16 can display HDR content at up to 1,600 nits, whereas the iPhone 16e maxes out at 1,200 nits. This means that HDR videos and movies look significantly better on the iPhone 16, with higher brightness and better contrast.
Another big design change is the notch on the iPhone 16e, while the iPhone 16 has the Dynamic Island. The Dynamic Island is not just a visual upgrade—it enhances usability, allowing for quick multitasking, live notifications, and interactive elements that make the user experience feel more premium.
The screen resolution and pixel density are the same on both phones, meaning content will still look sharp and clear on either device. However, color accuracy and contrast seem slightly better on the iPhone 16, thanks to its newer OLED panel.
Both phones come with Apple’s True Tone technology, which adjusts the display’s color temperature based on ambient lighting, as well as Haptic Touch for quick actions and gestures. However, ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate) is still missing on both models, keeping them limited to 60Hz, unlike the Pro series.
In summary, the iPhone 16 offers a much better display experience with higher brightness, better HDR support, and the modern Dynamic Island, while the iPhone 16e falls behind with an outdated notch and lower brightness levels. If you frequently use your phone outdoors or watch a lot of HDR content, the iPhone 16 is the clear winner in this category.
Speakers Comparison
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e both come with stereo speakers, but there are noticeable differences in audio quality. Apple has fine-tuned the iPhone 16’s speakers to produce louder, clearer sound, with better highs and mids compared to the slightly weaker output from the iPhone 16e.
During side-by-side testing, the iPhone 16 sounded more balanced, while the iPhone 16e lacked some depth in bass and had slightly lower maximum volume. This makes the iPhone 16 a better option for listening to music, watching videos, or playing games without headphones.
That said, the difference isn’t huge, and the iPhone 16e still delivers solid audio performance. However, if speaker quality is important to you, the iPhone 16 provides a better overall experience with fuller, richer sound.
Performance & Chipsets
When it comes to performance, both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e share the same A18 chip, but there is a key difference that affects real-world usage.
The iPhone 16e has a four-core GPU, whereas the iPhone 16 features a five-core GPU. This means that while day-to-day tasks like browsing, messaging, and social media will feel identical, gaming and graphics-heavy tasks will run slightly better on the iPhone 16 due to the extra GPU core.
In Geekbench 6 benchmarks, the CPU scores were nearly identical, showing that Apple didn’t throttle the A18 chip on the 16e. However, in Geekbench Metal tests, the iPhone 16 was around 16% faster than the iPhone 16e due to its extra GPU core.
Real-world gaming tests showed that both phones handle games like Call of Duty Mobile at 60 FPS smoothly, but the iPhone 16 performed better in more demanding benchmarks like 3DMark Steel Nomad Light, where it had a 33% higher frame rate compared to the 16e.
Another key difference is thermals. The iPhone 16e runs cooler than the iPhone 16, likely because Apple adjusted the clock speeds on its four-core GPU to prevent overheating. So while gaming performance is slightly lower, it does stay cooler under load.
For most users, both phones will feel equally fast, but if you play a lot of mobile games or use graphics-heavy apps, the iPhone 16 is the better choice due to its superior GPU performance.
Battery Life & Charging Speed
Battery life is one of the few areas where the iPhone 16e surprisingly holds an advantage over the iPhone 16. Due to its lower display brightness and slightly less powerful GPU, the iPhone 16e is more power-efficient, resulting in longer screen-on time during everyday use.
In real-world testing, the iPhone 16e lasted slightly longer than the iPhone 16, with an average of one extra hour of usage per charge. This makes it a better option for those who prioritize battery longevity over extra features.
However, when it comes to charging speed, the iPhone 16 is clearly superior. The iPhone 16 supports MagSafe wireless charging at 15W and Qi2 at 25W, while the iPhone 16e is limited to standard 7.5W wireless charging due to the removal of MagSafe magnets.
For wired charging, both models use USB-C with 20W fast charging, allowing them to reach 50% battery in about 30 minutes and a full charge in around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Because MagSafe has been removed from the iPhone 16e, users who rely on MagSafe accessories or faster wireless charging will need to buy a third-party case with MagSafe magnets to regain compatibility.
Overall, the iPhone 16e has slightly better battery life, but the iPhone 16 wins in charging speed and MagSafe support, making it the better option for users who need faster, more convenient charging options.
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Cameras Specs & Performance
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e may seem similar at first glance, but there are several important differences in their camera hardware and performance that make the iPhone 16 a superior option for photography and videography.
Main Camera Differences
Both phones come with a 48MP main sensor, but the iPhone 16e uses a smaller sensor that is actually the same one found in the iPhone 14 Pro’s ultra-wide camera. This means that while both phones can take high-resolution shots, the iPhone 16 will perform better in most scenarios, especially in low light.
One major drawback of the iPhone 16e is that it lacks sensor-shift stabilization, meaning photos can suffer from motion blur more often, especially in night mode or when shooting at 2x zoom. The iPhone 16, on the other hand, has both sensor-shift and optical image stabilization (OIS), making it more reliable for handheld shots and video stabilization.
Ultra-Wide Camera – A Big Missing Feature
The iPhone 16 includes a 12MP ultra-wide camera, while the iPhone 16e lacks an ultra-wide camera altogether. This is a significant omission because ultra-wide cameras are useful for landscape shots, group photos, and macro photography. If you frequently use an ultra-wide lens, the iPhone 16 is the better choice.
Zoom & Crop Quality
Both phones use sensor-cropping to achieve a 2x zoom, but because the iPhone 16 has a larger and better sensor, zoomed-in images retain more detail and look sharper. On the iPhone 16e, 2x zoom shots often appear softer and less refined due to the smaller sensor and lack of sensor-shift stabilization.
Night Mode & Low-Light Performance
In low-light conditions, the iPhone 16 takes clearer, more detailed shots because of its larger sensor and sensor-shift stabilization. Night mode activates for longer exposure times on the iPhone 16e, often taking one second longer per shot, which can result in motion blur if your hands aren’t steady.
The iPhone 16 also produces better shadow details and dynamic range in night shots, while the iPhone 16e tends to introduce more noise and loses fine details in darker areas.
Video Recording – Another Big Difference
Both phones support 4K recording, but the iPhone 16 has better stabilization and more features. The iPhone 16e lacks Cinematic Mode, which is a huge loss for users who enjoy creating professional-looking video content with a blurry background effect.
Additionally, because the iPhone 16e lacks sensor-shift stabilization, videos are noticeably shakier, especially when walking or panning the camera. The iPhone 16 delivers a more stable, professional-looking video experience.
Front Camera Performance
Both phones have a 12MP front-facing camera with Face ID, and selfie quality is nearly identical. However, the iPhone 16e does not support Cinematic Mode for front-facing video, which is a big deal if you record a lot of vlogs or social media content.
Portrait Mode & Depth Effect
The iPhone 16 produces better portrait shots thanks to its superior main sensor and image processing. Background blur looks more natural, and edge detection is more accurate compared to the iPhone 16e.
Since the iPhone 16e lacks an ultra-wide lens, it also means no macro mode, so close-up shots of objects will lack the sharpness and detail found on the iPhone 16.
Final Verdict on Cameras
If photography and videography are important to you, then the iPhone 16 is clearly the better choice. It offers:
- A larger main sensor for sharper photos and better low-light performance
- Sensor-shift stabilization for steadier images and videos
- An ultra-wide camera for versatility
- Cinematic Mode for professional-looking video recording
The iPhone 16e is still capable, but its missing ultra-wide lens, lack of sensor-shift stabilization, and fewer video features make it less appealing for serious content creators or mobile photographers. If cameras matter to you, spending $200 more for the iPhone 16 is absolutely worth it.
Pros of the iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 16e
- Lower Price ($200 Less Expensive) – The iPhone 16e is the more affordable option, making it a great choice for those who want a new iPhone without spending $799.
- Longer Battery Life – Due to its less power-hungry display and one fewer GPU core, the iPhone 16e lasts longer on a single charge than the iPhone 16.
- Lighter & More Comfortable – The iPhone 16e is slightly lighter, making it easier to hold for extended periods, especially for users who prefer a more compact, lightweight phone.
- Same A18 Chip at a Lower Price – Despite being cheaper, the iPhone 16e still uses the powerful A18 chip with 8GB of RAM, ensuring smooth performance for years.
- Cooler Thermal Performance – The iPhone 16e runs cooler under heavy workloads, thanks to its efficient design and slightly lower GPU power consumption, making it better for sustained use.
- Still Has Face ID & iOS 18 Features – Even though it’s a budget model, the iPhone 16e still gets Face ID, Dynamic Island, and Apple Intelligence features, just like the regular iPhone 16.
Cons of the iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 16e
- No Ultra-Wide Camera – The iPhone 16e only has a single 48MP camera, while the iPhone 16 adds a 12MP ultra-wide lens for more versatility in photography.
- No MagSafe Support – The iPhone 16e lacks MagSafe magnets, meaning no fast wireless charging (15W) and no MagSafe accessories like wallets, battery packs, or car mounts (unless you use a MagSafe-compatible case).
- Weaker Modem & Wi-Fi – The iPhone 16e uses Apple’s new C1 modem, which underperforms indoors compared to Qualcomm’s modem in the iPhone 16. It also lacks Wi-Fi 7 and is limited to Wi-Fi 6 only.
Verdict: Which iPhone Should You Choose?
The choice between the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e ultimately comes down to what you prioritize in a smartphone. Both devices share the same A18 chip, 8GB RAM, and iOS 18 experience, ensuring solid performance for years to come. However, there are key differences that will determine which one is the better fit for you.
If you value a more complete iPhone experience, the iPhone 16 is the way to go. It offers an ultra-wide camera, brighter display, MagSafe support, and better wireless connectivity with Wi-Fi 7 and a stronger Qualcomm modem. The additional sensor-shift stabilization and cinematic mode make it a better choice for photography and videography lovers. For $200 more, it offers more features that could enhance your daily use.
On the other hand, the iPhone 16e is the budget-friendly alternative that still delivers a flagship experience. It has longer battery life, lighter build, and the same A18 chip at a lower price, making it an excellent value for those who don’t need the extra camera or MagSafe. If you don’t care about ultra-wide photography, faster wireless charging, or Wi-Fi 7, then the iPhone 16e is the smarter buy.
However, the biggest concern with the iPhone 16e is Apple’s new C1 modem, which struggles indoors compared to the iPhone 16’s Qualcomm modem. If you rely on strong cellular reception in weak-signal areas, this could be a dealbreaker.
Overall, if you’re looking for the best all-around iPhone, go for the iPhone 16. But if you just need an affordable iPhone with great battery life and performance, the iPhone 16e is still a solid pick. Which one do you think is the better deal? Let us know in the comments below!
Common Questions People Ask About the iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 16e
Is the iPhone 16 worth $200 more than the iPhone 16e?
- Yes, if you value better cameras, MagSafe support, a brighter display, and Wi-Fi 7. However, if you just need an iPhone for basic tasks, the iPhone 16e is still a solid choice.
Does the iPhone 16e have an ultra-wide camera?
- No, the iPhone 16e only has a single 48MP main sensor. The iPhone 16 has an additional 12MP ultra-wide lens for capturing wider shots.
Can I use MagSafe accessories with the iPhone 16e?
- Not natively. The iPhone 16e does not have MagSafe magnets, but you can use a MagSafe-compatible case to add support.
Does the iPhone 16e have better battery life than the iPhone 16?
- Yes, the iPhone 16e generally lasts longer because it uses a less power-hungry display and GPU.
Can both the iPhone 16 and 16e play games at the same performance level?
- Mostly, yes. Both phones use the A18 chip, but the iPhone 16 has one extra GPU core, making it slightly better for gaming performance.
What’s the main difference between the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e?
- The biggest differences are that the iPhone 16 has an ultra-wide camera, brighter display, MagSafe support, and slightly better performance, while the iPhone 16e has longer battery life and costs less.
Do both iPhone 16 and 16e support fast charging?
- Yes, but only the iPhone 16 supports 15W MagSafe and 25W Qi2 charging. The iPhone 16e only supports 7.5W wireless charging.
Will the iPhone 16e get the same software updates as the iPhone 16?
- Yes, both phones run iOS 18 and will receive updates for many years.
