After months of anticipation, Apple finally took the wraps off its newest “affordable” offering, the iPhone 16e. At $599, the iPhone 16e marks the end of the iPhone SE as the entry-level iPhone.
Yes, the iPhone 16e has some significant upgrades over the iPhone SE, but it mostly seems like a rundown version of the iPhone 16 with a lower price tag. So, if you’re thinking of shelling out $599 on the iPhone 16e, I would tell you otherwise. Here’s why you might want to skip the iPhone 16e and look at other options.
Who should consider skipping the iPhone 16e?
The iPhone 16e is a device meant for first-time iPhone users looking to experience the iPhone ecosystem at a relatively lower cost than the standard iPhone 16 models. However, if you already own an iPhone 15 and do not care about Apple Intelligence, the iPhone 16e isn’t for you. In my opinion, the iPhone 15, for its current retail price, is a far better deal than the iPhone 16.
7 reasons to skip buying the iPhone 16e
Apple released the iPhone 16e as a breath of fresh air for the iPhone SE audience, with a new design, upgraded camera, and the latest A18 chip. However, to me, the missing features on the iPhone 16e make it more of a watered-down version of the iPhone 16 than an upgraded version of the iPhone SE.
While there’s nothing wrong with that—given the $200 price difference—the device retails for $599 and still lacks many features that are available on the older-gen iPhone 15, making it hard to recommend it to most people. Here are seven reasons why.
1. Notched display
Although there are some major changes when we compare iPhone SE’s 4.7-inch display with iPhone 16e’s 6.1-inch display, it still isn’t a true full-screen design due to its notch at the top.
When Apple made the new affordable member of the iPhone 16 lineup, the iPhone 16e should have come equipped with Dynamic Island instead of a notch. Dynamic Island is an interactive pill-shaped cutout that sits at the top center of the screen and can display essential alerts and provide access to crucial app controls, unlike the notch, which occupies space without any functional purpose.
Apple might have skipped the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 16e to save cost, but lower cost alone can’t justify its absence, as the Dynamic Island has been a norm since the iPhone 15 series.
2. Single rear camera in 2025
The camera has to be one of the biggest downsides of the iPhone 16e. There is no way a single rear camera can be good enough for what the standard is today. And I am not bashing, but no brand other than Apple can even think of offering this mediocrity on a $599 smartphone.
Yes, Apple has always offered a single rear camera on its affordable iPhone, but the iPhone SE was launched 3 years back at a significantly lower price point. It’s 2025, and even the budget Android phone offers multiple rear sensors.
This move from Apple would have been okay if it had done this on the iPhone SE 3 successor and kept the price below $500 because currently, it feels that Apple named the device iPhone 16e only to justify the price bump.
Again, the 48MP Fusion camera is, without a doubt, a decent upgrade when we compare it with the iPhone SE, but the device is a member of the iPhone 16 lineup and not the true successor of the iPhone SE. So why buy the iPhone 16e when you can buy the iPhone 15 for just another $100 and get an extra ultra-wide camera with sensor-shift optical image stabilization? Right.
3. Apple Intelligence isn’t much of a big deal
I am not saying that Apple intelligence isn’t good; it has some good features like Writing Tools, Notification Summaries, Clean Up, and more. However, except for a few features, others are just nice-to-haves and are not outright essential.
Furthermore, Apple Intelligence is not even completely there yet; many of its features are still in their nascent stages. Also, the ones currently available, like Image Playground, aren’t very useful. I’ve been using iPhone 16 Pro for the past four months, but Writing Tools and Clean Up are the only features I use, and that too quite infrequently.
While Apple is using the same “Built for Apple Intelligence” tag to market the iPhone 16e, similar to what it did with the iPhone 16 series, Apple Intelligence in its current form isn’t something you should compromise Dynamic Island and a secondary Ultra-Wide camera for. This makes the iPhone 15 a better deal for just another $100.
Yes, the iPhone 16e has a more powerful processor than the iPhone 15, but again, the iPhone 16e isn’t something a power user would go for. Even a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro at the right price is a better deal than an iPhone 16e any day.
4. No MagSafe support
This is another reason to skip the iPhone 16e if you already own an iPhone with Magsafe support, as the iPhone 16e misses it. If Apple had priced the iPhone 16e the same way as the iPhone SE, not having the MagSafe support would still be sort of justified, as there is a $170 price difference. But a $599 iPhone missing out on MagSafe when it’s part of the even older iPhone lineup makes no sense.
If you already own an iPhone along with a bunch of MagSafe accessories and are considering buying an iPhone 16e, I advise you to hold your horses as it will be a bad investment.
5. Missing mmWave 5G
One of the major talking points about the iPhone 16e is the inclusion of Apple’s first ever Apple Silicon C1 cellular modem chip. It’s the first time that Apple has incorporated its indigenous cellular modem chip in an iPhone rather than the usual Qualcomm one. While Apple says it’s the most power-efficient modem on an iPhone yet, it seems like it has its drawbacks.
Apple Silicon C1 cellular modem chip does not support mmWave 5G, which is essential for offering better speed and low latency, resulting in a better 5G experience in regions where the mmWave signal is available. And since it’s missing, the iPhone 16e can only benefit from a sub-6GHz 5G signal.
Thus, the lower cost of the iPhone 16e compromises on 5G speed.
6. Lack of Precision Finding
While many of you might not consider the iPhone 16e missing the UWB chip a big deal, I would tell you otherwise. It’s not about whether or not you use a particular feature often, but the iPhone 16e should have covered all the bases to make up for its $599 price tag.
The UWB chip has been the norm on the iPhone since the iPhone 11 days. The same element aids Precision Finding, which offers precise direction-based tracking to locate your Apple accessories and pinpoint iPhones. This means, if you regularly use AirTags to track keys, wallets, or bags, buying an iPhone 16e would leave you disappointed.
7. Still expensive for what it offers
Although affordability is a subjective concept that depends on individual budgets and expectations, the $599 price point for the iPhone 16e can’t be called affordable when it misses out on many things.
Yes, even by 2022 standards, the iPhone SE had an old design and missed many features present on the standard iPhones of that time. However, its $429 price point and the same Apple A15 Bionic chip as the then-standard iPhone 13, which launched at $799, attracted buyers. Sadly, this isn’t the case with the iPhone 16e.
While the iPhone 16e has the same A18 chip as the iPhone 16, it’s still not as budget-oriented at $599 compared to the latest $799 iPhone 16 or past year’s $699 iPhone 15.
Which iPhone should you buy instead of the iPhone 16e?
The iPhone 16e may be the most affordable iPhone in the iPhone 16 lineup, but it lacks key features. So, if you’re looking for a better-value iPhone, here are some great alternatives based on your needs and budget.
iPhone 16
If you compare the iPhone 16e with the iPhone 16, you’ll realize what you’re getting for just $200 extra. You get a brighter OLED display, Dynamic Island, dual 48MP camera, and everything missing on the iPhone 16e. So, if you can raise your budget to $799, you can get a future-proof iPhone with all the essential features.
iPhone 15
Not everyone can afford to raise their budget by $200. For such people, the iPhone 15 might be the best bet. The iPhone 15 offers you everything better than the iPhone 16e, except for the Apple Intelligence. For just $100 more, you will get a premium iPhone experience at a lower price.
In addition to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15, you can also buy the used or refurbished Pro models of the same series if you can find a deal that fits your budget. However, make sure to perform the necessary checks before buying a used iPhone.
Always seek value for your money…
The iPhone 16e is a decent option for casual users looking to explore the iPhone experience, but it cuts too many corners compared to other iPhones currently available. If you want a more feature-packed, future-proof iPhone, it’s better to save up for the iPhone 16. However, if you can’t save that much, go for the iPhone 15 instead.
Would you buy the iPhone 16e, or would you rather skip it? Let us know in the comments!
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