Apple lastly introduced again its entry-level telephone, the iPhone 16e. The three-year hole from the earlier mannequin launch gave Apple time to implement a giant refresh, together with the addition of Apple Intelligence, supported by the A18 chipset, an Apple modem, a bigger battery capability, extra storage choices, and Face ID, to call just a few.
The perfect half — it’s all packaged right into a $599 price ticket, a whole bunch of {dollars} cheaper than the bottom iPhone 16 mannequin.
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To learn the way the iPhone 16e compares to the remainder of the lineup, I switched out my iPhone 16 Professional, which I’ve been utilizing each day since its launch in September, to the iPhone 16e. My findings: I’m equally as impressed as I’m bewildered. I’ll go in-depth beneath.
1. The software program ft. Apple Intelligence
From the software program standpoint, the iPhone 16e delivers all the pieces it guarantees. The transition from the iPhone 16 Professional to the iPhone 16e was completely seamless as a result of each have the identical silicon, which permits them to run the newest iOS to its full capability, together with the entire Apple Intelligence options.
Which means that regardless of the lower cost tag and never having as many GPU cores as different A18 variants within the iPhone 16 lineup, the iPhone 16e nonetheless enabled me to entry the entire identical Apple Intelligence options, together with Writing Instruments, Notification Summaries, Picture Playground, Clear Up, and my favourite, Genmoji.
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Most significantly, when the total suite of Apple Intelligence options rolls out, iPhone 16e customers may have entry to it in its entirety. Customers with an iPhone 15 mannequin or decrease can not entry it.
Apple Intelligence is supposed to be a “private intelligence” system grounded in your private info and context. It could actually retrieve information from throughout your apps and reference the content material in your display. iPhone 16e customers may have entry to this superior help whereas nonetheless saving a few hundred {dollars} on the preliminary machine.
2. Cameras (or lack of)
The entrance digital camera of the iPhone 16e is identical as the opposite iPhone 16 lineup: a 12MP front-facing digital camera, that means that your selfies might be precisely the identical. Nonetheless, a fast look in the back of the iPhone 16e reveals that the digital camera system is considerably extra primitive than that of the iPhone 16 Professional.
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The iPhone 16e includes a 48MP huge digital camera on the again with an built-in 2x Telephoto, which, though an improve from the earlier mannequin, is perhaps a deal-breaker for photograph lovers. As anticipated, I discovered that the iPhone 16 Professional’s twin‑digital camera system produces extra polished photographs than the 16e’s dual-functioning digital camera. My greatest battle has been not having the 12MP Extremely Vast digital camera, which I continuously use on the iPhone 16 Professional to take .5x photographs.
Due to the lower-grade digital camera, a few of the extra superior options discovered on iPhone 16 Professional, reminiscent of capturing ProRaw or cinematic video, are unavailable. Nonetheless, the smartphone can nonetheless take stunning photographs, so if you’re not seeking to take the highest-quality photographs and simply need to seize recollections, that is nonetheless a stable choice.
3. Lacking Dynamic Island/Digital camera Management
The most important distinction within the kind issue of the iPhone 16e, aside from the marginally smaller 6.1-inch dimension, is the dearth of a Dynamic Island and Digital camera Management button. Despite the fact that the dearth of those two parts makes it look extra just like the iPhone 14 and, subsequently, a bit dated, their absence did not influence my day. In truth, it made me take into consideration after I use both of the options, and the reply isn’t.
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On the iPhone 16 Professional, I do get pleasure from utilizing the Digital camera Management button to open the digital camera and snap photographs extra conveniently with out having to click on the shutter button in the midst of the display. Nonetheless, as a result of the iPhone 16e features a Management Button, all I did was map the digital camera to it and was in a position to make use of it the identical manner I depend on Digital camera Management.
Honorable Mentions
The iPhone 16e has another compelling options not talked about above, together with:
- Its light-weight: Having a telephone in my again pocket as gentle because the iPhone 16e is so refreshing after carrying round a lot heavier fashions for years. The iPhone 16e weighs 5.88 ounces (167 grams), and the iPhone 16 Professional Max weighs 7.03 ounces (199 grams).
- Apple C1 Modum: The iPhone 16e additionally options Apple’s first in-house 5G modem, the Apple C1. This modem is a step away from the standard Qualcomm processor and is supposed to grant customers a quick and dependable 5G connection. In the long term, it ought to optimize battery life. In my expertise, my service has been precisely the identical, which is the meant purpose.
- Battery Life: The iPhone 16e provides as much as 26 hours of video playback, which is the metric Apple makes use of to measure battery life. Which means that older mannequin customers will see an enormous enchancment. For instance, iPhone 11 customers will get six extra hours of battery life with the improve. The iPhone 16 provides as much as 26 hours of video playback, solely a bit extra.
Total, it’s a stable telephone for individuals prepared to forgo a few of the bells and whistles of the remainder of the iPhone 16 lineup. From my testing, the most important sacrifice would be the ultra-wide lens and superior images and videography options, however if you’re not concerned with images, this is probably not a problem for on a regular basis pictures.
