iPhone 16e Review: The iPhone you didn’t know you needed (but probably do)

After spending about a week with the iPhone 16e, I’m feeling a bit conflicted. On one hand, Apple has managed to create a device that’s packed with modern features at a relatively ‘affordable’ price (per Apple’s standard I mean). But on the other hand, there’s a feeling of “cheapness” when compared to the flagship models. Here’s my take after spending some quality time with the iPhone 16e.

Design: Simple, but solid

The iPhone 16e comes in just two colours: white and black. I was using the black-colour device. The matte finish, sleek aluminium frame gives the 16e a refined look. The back feels premium, and honestly, I love that it stays still on a flat surface, unlike the wobble you get with the iPhone 16. However, this phone doesn’t support MagSafe, which could be a deal-breaker for some. You’ll need to use third-party cases if you want wireless charging or need to use MagSafe accessories.

Despite the more basic colour choices, the overall design is practical and durable. The ceramic shield is tough enough to survive the occasional drop (though it’s not the latest version you get with the iPhone 16), and the phone is rated IP68 for water and dust resistance, so I wouldn’t worry too much about daily wear and tear.

Display: A leap from iPhone SE

If you’re coming from an older iPhone, especially the iPhone SE, the jump to OLED is going to blow you away. The 6.1-inch OLED display offers vibrant colours, deep blacks, and an impressive contrast ratio that’s a huge step up from the SE’s IPS screen. The brightness maxes out at 1200 nits, making it perfectly visible even in bright outdoor settings.

It’s a noticeable improvement for anyone upgrading from a previous model, and while the screen only refreshes at 60Hz (compared to 120Hz on the iPhone 16), I think most users won’t miss the smoother experience unless you’re coming from a Pro model.

Performance: Future-proof, but not flagship-level

Under the hood, the iPhone 16e is powered by Apple’s A18 chip, which is the same one used in the iPhone 16. The only difference is that the 16e has slightly lower GPU performance. But for day-to-day tasks, the 16e is fast and responsive—apps launch quickly, and multitasking is a breeze thanks to the 8GB of RAM.

Testing the device on a few games, I noticed that while it wasn’t buttery smooth on max settings, it ran quite well on the balanced setting. For casual gamers or people who don’t mind lowering settings a bit, this phone will handle it just fine. If you’re after the best gaming experience, however, you might want to opt for the iPhone 16 or even the Pro series.

Camera: Good, but misses key features

The iPhone 16e features a 48MP main camera, which is almost identical to the iPhone 16’s camera. However, there are a few notable omissions here. The 16e lacks cinematic mode, action mode, and optical zoom — features that are available on the iPhone 16. Portraits can be a bit tricky because you’ll need to get really close to the subject to get the right shot, as there’s no telephoto lens to aid with zooming in.

While the quality is still impressive for the price, the iPhone 16e doesn’t offer the same level of flexibility and creative control that you get with the iPhone 16’s more advanced camera system. But for most people, it will do the job just fine—especially considering the price.

Battery: Impressive for the price

Battery life is the highlight in iPhone 16e. Apple claims 21 hours of video playback, which is a huge improvement over the iPhone SE’s 10 hours. After a full day of use, I still had plenty of battery left, which was a pleasant surprise. The iPhone 16e is much more energy-efficient thanks to the A18 chip and its new Apple modem, offering longer battery life than even the iPhone 16 in some cases.

Software: iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence

Running iOS 18, the 16e comes with all the latest software updates, including the cool AI features Apple has introduced. These include the ability to summarise notes, generate emojis, and use the cleanup tool for photos. The action button can also be customized for various tasks like opening apps or accessing shortcuts (I personally have it set up to open VoiceMemo). Apple Intelligence features, which require 8GB of RAM and a recent chip, make the phone feel future-proof, and it’s nice to know that you’ll continue receiving updates and improvements for years to come.

Who’s the iPhone 16e For?

Apple markets the iPhone 16e as a device for people upgrading from an iPhone 11 or older, or those with the older iPhone SE. Honestly, it’s a fantastic upgrade for anyone on one of those devices — especially if you’re tired of using outdated hardware but don’t want to break the bank on a top-tier model.

If you’re a tech enthusiast or someone who’s particular about display refresh rates, camera quality, or high-end features like MagSafe, you might find the iPhone 16e lacking. But for someone who just wants a reliable iPhone at a reasonable price, the 16e is a great choice.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?

At ₹59,990, the iPhone 16e isn’t the cheapest phone on the market, but it offers a lot for the price. The OLED display, A18 chip, 48MP camera, and long battery life make it a solid option for those looking for a no-frills, ‘affordable’ iPhone. Sure, it lacks some of the bells and whistles of the iPhone 16, like the 120Hz screen, MagSafe, and the telephoto lens. But for most users, those features won’t be missed.

If you’re coming from an older iPhone or just need a solid, no-nonsense device to stay within the Apple ecosystem, the 16e does a lot right for its price point. Would I recommend spending an extra ₹20,000 for the iPhone 16? Probably not, unless you really need those extra features. For most people, the 16e offers decent value.

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