Apple’s Cheapest New Phone: How Good is the iPhone 16e?
Apple’s quest for affordability in the premium smartphone market has taken a curious turn with the iPhone 16e.
The model looks familiar: it has the sleek lines of the iPhone 14 and houses the popular A18 chip. While not a throwback, it has some classic features mixed with some of the company’s latest offerings.
Priced to be Apple’s most approachable offering, the 16e strips back some of the flagship fanfare – a single camera lens, a classic Face ID notch, and a few missing wireless niceties – to deliver the core iOS experience.
But is it worthy of a place in the iPhone’s best-ever models? Let’s take a closer look.
Processor power
As mentioned, the 16e’s A18 chip is a big hit with iPhone fans, which is still a very capable processor, despite being less powerful than other types. It will handle most mobile games smoothly, ranging from online slots to more complex video games.
However, we should be ready for slight reduction in graphics power compared to the standard iPhone 16. This could mean that the most graphically demanding games might not run at the absolute highest settings or smoothest frame rates.
Screen
Apple’s hardware design continues to set the benchmark, and the iPhone 16 is a continuation of this. The device feels remarkably solid yet stays at comfortable weight, so it feels both durable and portable.
The 6.1-inch screen size is essential to this and feels ideal for everyday use. It offers useful screen real estate without sacrificing one-handed usability, although you may want to adapt the colour resolution to your own personal preferences.
Central to this is the Super Retina display, which is a visual delight. Its vibrant appearance is streets ahead of anything else at this price range and even rivals several flagship models currently on the market. The 60Hz refresh rate might seem lower compared to the 120Hz offerings of its competitors, but it’s a difference that most users won’t really notice in everyday use.
Battery life
Early reports on this iPhone 16 highlighted the battery life a minor point of contention.
The model contains a 3,500mAh battery, which is enough for everyday regular use, but doesn’t offer the same level of endurance as some of its competitors. It may be that you end the day on around 30% normally, but if you want to run some heavy-duty apps or use it constantly, then you may be caught out.
This isn’t a cause for alarm, but it’s not a phone you can reliably forget to charge for a day and expect it to keep pace with your demands if you’re constantly on it.
Camera
The iPhone 16’s camera system may look standard compared to the competition, but it proves to be more than capable for everyday photography.
Don’t expect the same level of advanced features as the Pro models or its Android rivals, but it can easily conjure up high-quality images across various lighting conditions.
The introduction of the Camera Control button is a welcomed addition. This lets you launch the camera and control zoom with precision. Similarly, the Action button on the opposite side of the device lets you perform a variety of customizable actions, such as launching the flashlight, accessing the voice recorder, or activating a shortcut.
Limitations
Despite its many positives, the iPhone 16 has attracted criticism in some areas. Some critics have said it struggles to carve out a distinct identity, that it feels like a polished update rather than something new.
For many users, the differences between the iPhone 16 and its predecessors, such as the iPhone 14, may not be enough to justify the upgrade. Its core functionalities remain largely the same, and even though design changes are looking great, they may not justify the switch.
Price
While the above doubts are probably valid, the 16’s price will probably be enough to tempt most potential buyers into clicking that all-important purchase button.
Apple have it on the market at around $1,000 mark, (800 GBP). For a handset that rivals many flagship models, this could well represent a bargain. However, it’s still a pretty big investment, especially if you don’t really NEED to change phones.
Overall rating
The iPhone 16 is a top-tier smartphone that excels in design, performance, and user experience. It’s a reliable choice for existing iPhone users seeking an upgrade. However, its lack of a distinct identity and the current state of Apple Intelligence may leave some users wanting more.
For those seeking more power, advanced camera capabilities, or a more distinct identity, the iPhone 16 Pro, Google Pixel 9 Pro, or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra may be more suitable options.
With above in mind, a rating of 8/10 is perhaps the fairest option for this solid phone that challenges the market’s top players.
