iPhone 16e: What It Brings and Should You Buy It?

Apple’s latest budget-friendly model has landed in the hands of early reviewers, and their impressions indicate a significant shift in the company's approach to this price segment. Instead of the familiar “SE” branding, Apple has opted for the simpler “e”, introducing key technical upgrades that set it apart from its predecessors.

The iPhone 16e features a 6.1-inch OLED display, a 48MP Fusion camera, and Face ID, replacing the outdated Touch ID system—making it far more competitive in its category.

Modern Design with a Major Internal Upgrade

While the design closely resembles the iPhone 14, the real advancements lie under the hood. For the first time, Apple has introduced its own 5G modem, the C1, reducing reliance on Qualcomm components. Additionally, the device runs on a custom A18 processor, with a slightly less powerful GPU compared to the standard iPhone 16.

C1 Modem – Apple’s First Standalone 5G Component

The most groundbreaking feature of the iPhone 16e is undoubtedly the C1 modem, the first Apple-designed 5G chip. After years of relying on Qualcomm’s technology and facing development challenges, Apple’s first proprietary modem is finally market-ready.

However, speed isn’t its biggest advantage—efficiency is. The C1 modem significantly improves battery life, making the iPhone 16e the most power-efficient device of its size to date.

What the Reviews Say

John Velasco from Tom’s Guide tested connectivity speeds across multiple locations in New York and found no major improvements over Qualcomm’s modems:
"I tested the iPhone 16 and 16e side by side at three different locations, and only in one case did the 16e outperform the standard model. It’s hard to say this is a game-changer in speed."

Similarly, Alison Johnson from The Verge shared her experience:
"I used it for FaceTime calls on the go, sending large video files, and streaming YouTube while commuting. Side by side with the iPhone 16 on Verizon’s network, I didn’t notice a meaningful difference in performance."

While it may not revolutionize connection speeds, the fact that Apple’s first in-house modem performs on par with Qualcomm’s is an impressive achievement.

Battery Life That Sets New Standards

One of the biggest surprises with the iPhone 16e is its battery capacity—3,961mAh, which is 11% larger than the standard iPhone 16. This directly contributes to superior battery life.

According to Tom’s Guide, the iPhone 16e lasted an average of 12 hours and 41 minutes in their battery test—practically identical to the standard iPhone 16, which lasted 12 hours and 43 minutes.

YouTuber Dave2D compared battery sizes and confirmed the notable difference:

• iPhone 16e: 3,961mAh
• iPhone 16: 3,561mAh

This improvement is partially attributed to the removal of MagSafe technology, allowing Apple to fit a larger battery into the same form factor.

A18 Chip with a Less Powerful GPU – Does It Matter?

Unlike the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro, which feature the A18 chip with an enhanced GPU, the iPhone 16e has a slightly weaker graphics processor.

Patric Holland from CNET conducted benchmark tests and confirmed:
"The difference in graphics performance is clear in benchmarks, with the additional GPU core on the iPhone 16 giving it an edge over the iPhone 16e."

However, for everyday tasks, such as browsing, social media, and light gaming, this difference is barely noticeable—making the 16e a solid option for most users.

No MagSafe – A Step Back or a Smart Trade-off?

One of the more unexpected changes in the iPhone 16e is the removal of MagSafe, Apple’s magnetic wireless charging technology. This decision has sparked mixed reactions.

Patric Holland from CNET commented:
"If you've never used MagSafe before, you won’t miss it. But in a household with multiple MagSafe accessories, it could be a minor inconvenience."

That said, the removal of MagSafe allowed for a significantly larger battery, which will likely be more valuable to users who prioritize battery life over wireless charging.

Is the iPhone 16e the Best Budget iPhone Yet?

With a lower price than the standard iPhone 16 but far better specs than past SE models, the iPhone 16e is positioned as an excellent choice for users who want modern features without paying a premium.

With a high-quality OLED display, efficient A18 chip, Apple's first 5G modem, outstanding battery life, and an improved camera, the iPhone 16e could become the best-selling model of the new generation.

Unlike past SE models that felt outdated on launch day, the iPhone 16e feels modern and future-proof. While the lack of MagSafe may be a deal-breaker for some, most users will likely appreciate the better battery life as a worthy trade-off.

The iPhone 16e officially launches this Friday, and if early reviews are any indication, Apple has finally created an affordable iPhone that doesn’t feel like a relic from a past decade.

Would you buy the iPhone 16e? Let us know in the comments!