iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 16: What’s the Difference?

Deciding between the iPhone 16 and the new iPhone 16e?

The choice might be difficult, especially since both are solid smartphones. The 16e is the latest budget-friendly option in Apple's lineup, and while the iPhone 16 costs more, it includes some features that may just be worth the extra cost. 

In this article, we'll compare the iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16 when it comes to cost, battery life, camera features, and more. 

Read on for details, or jump right to our Phone Deal Finder to get matched to your best deal now.

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What is iPhone 16e?

 The iPhone 16e is Apple’s new low-cost smartphone option, starting at $599. While it doesn’t share the same name, the iPhone 16e is essentially a replacement for Apple’s budget iPhone SE.

To keep costs down, the iPhone 16e skips some extras, like ultrawide and close-up camera lenses, the Camera Control button, MagSafe, and a few other features.

But the 16e is still powerful enough to take advantage of Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI assistant, which is only compatible with the iPhone 16 lineup and the IPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. 

iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16 Release Date 

The iPhone 16 launched on September 20, 2024, alongside the iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. In contrast, the iPhone 16e hit the market nearly five months later, with preorders beginning on February 21, 2025, and availability starting on February 28.

iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Price and Storage

Let's start with the price tag. The iPhone 16e begins at $599 for 128GB of storage, making its base option $200 less than the iPhone 16's starting price of $799. 

Need more room for photos, apps, or your music library? The iPhone 16e can be upgraded to 256GB for $699 or 512GB for $899. 

The iPhone 16 matches those storage options but at a steeper cost: $899 for 256GB and $1,099 for 512GB. 

So, if you want to score a new iPhone without breaking the bank, the 16e is the cheaper choice. But with so many iPhone 16 deals currently available, the difference in cost may not be worth what you’ll have to sacrifice in features and specs.

iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Cameras

When it comes to cameras, the iPhone 16e keeps it simple with a 12MP selfie camera and a single 48MP rear camera, which is perfect for taking everyday pictures and videos. Like the iPhone 16, the iPhone 16e can also film 4K video at 60 fps.

If you're just snapping casual pics, the 16e will get the job done. But if you're after more advanced camera options, the iPhone 16e comes up short compared to the 16.

The iPhone 16 may be worth the upgrade for any who wants more out of their camera, since it adds a 12MP ultra-wide lens, giving you the ability to capture faraway buildings and environments or large group shots without having to back up. 

It also features a macro photography mode, which is great for up-close shots that capture tiny objects and details, like flower petals or insects. 

Plus, those who like recording video on their smartphone get more tools to play with on iPhone 16. 

There’s Cinematic mode for shallow depth-of-field shots that create blurry backgrounds, Action mode for increased stabilization while filming video, and Spatial Video recording for creating 3D-like videos compatible with Apple Vision Pro.

But if you’re an enthusiast who wants the best cameras on an iPhone, it might also be worth checking out the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. 

iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Display

Both the iPhone 16e and 16 feature a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 460 PPI, so you'll get sharp visuals with either iPhone. 

However, when it comes to the screen, the iPhone 16 outshines the 16e by reaching up to 2,000 nits of brightness. That means it will be easier to see in bright conditions, like a sunny day. 

The iPhone 16e, on the other hand, peaks at 1,200 nits. This will make it harder to see when it's bright outside. If you travel outdoors often, the iPhone 16's brighter display might be the better pick.

iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Design

The iPhone 16e and 16 have the flat-edge design of recent iPhones, complete with glass panels and rounded corners. 

However, they slightly differ in size since the iPhone 16e is shorter and lighter (5.88 oz vs. 6 oz). That may be hard to notice, but what is clearly noticeable is the difference between their screens.

The 16e keeps the classic notch at the top — the same one that Apple first introduced in 2017. 

Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 includes the Dynamic Island — a pill-shaped cutout that not only looks cooler but also displays helpful info like timers, sports scores, and directions, and has become a signature feature of modern iPhones.

While both phones have the Action Button, which is a customizable button that can be programmed to start multiple apps or functions, the 16e does not come with the new Camera Control button.

Both devices have FaceID, IP68 water and dust resistance, and an aluminum frame. The iPhone 16 also comes with tougher Ceramic Shield glass for extra durability.

iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Colors

The iPhone 16e colors are limited to two matte options: Black or White.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 colors include not only Black and White but also three other vibrant choices: Pink, Teal, or Ultramarine. 

iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Performance

Under the hood, the iPhone 16e and iPhone 16 run on Apple's A18 chip, so you'll get solid performance no matter which one you pick. 

Both come with 8GB of RAM, but the iPhone 16 has an edge with its five-core GPU, while the 16e only has four. This likely won't be a big deal for everyday users, but if you're into gaming or multitasking, that extra core could make a noticeable difference in performance. 

iPhone 16 and 16e are also compatible with iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence, which brings AI tools like Genmoji, Image Playground, and multiple ways to improve your writing.

Both iPhones are compatible with 5G. 

However, the 16e doesn’t support "mmWave 5G," a fast and low-latency version of 5G that the iPhone 16 supports.

One advantage the iPhone 16e has over the 16 though is that it's the first iPhone to include Apple's in-house C1 modem, which the company says can boost cellular connectivity and improve battery efficiency. 

When it comes to Wi-Fi, there’s another noticeable difference between the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e. The iPhone 16 supports Wi-Fi 7, the latest generation of Wi-Fi technology that provides improved speeds and performance. That means you’ll get faster downloads and lower latency during activities like video calls and gaming. 

Meanwhile, the iPhone 16e is only compatible up to Wi-Fi 6. While Wi-Fi 6 is still solid and may be enough for most users, it doesn’t take advantage of the newer technology found in Wi-Fi 7 or even Wi-Fi 6E. 

So, while the iPhone 16e gets the new C1 modem, if you’re planning to keep it for many years, its older Wi-Fi technology might be limiting down the road. 

But it’s important to take into consideration that if you don’t have a Wi-Fi 7-capable internet router or have no plans to upgrade, you won’t be able to get the benefits of Wi-Fi 7 on iPhone 16. 

iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Battery

When it comes to battery life, Apple says the iPhone 16e has an edge over the 16 thanks to changes they’ve made to the internal design to fit a larger battery.

The increased capacity will be apparent in one key area: video playback. Thanks to the larger battery and the efficiency of the C1 modem, Apple claims the 16e can deliver up to 26 hours of battery life when watching video.

That’s four more hours than the iPhone 16’s 22-hour mark, and close to the 27-hour mark of the larger iPhone 16 Plus.

Both phones also support 20W wired charging, giving you about a 50 percent charge in 30 minutes. 

However, the iPhone 16 has MagSafe support, offering 15W wireless charging and compatibility with magnetic accessories. The 16e skips MagSafe entirely, sticking with standard 7.5W Qi wireless charging.

So, if you care about MagSafe accessories or faster wireless charging, the iPhone 16 is the better fit. But if a bigger battery and longer video playback are a priority, the 16e might be the way to go.

The Bottom Line

Deciding between the iPhone 16e and iPhone 16 really comes down to what matters most to you. If you’re looking for an iPhone that has the basics and allows you to save some money, the iPhone 16e is a good option with its solid battery life, Apple Intelligence compatibility, and price range.

But if a brighter screen, more advanced cameras, MagSafe compatibility, and Dynamic Island are important to you, the iPhone 16 might be worth the extra cash.

And remember, if you’re looking for iPhone deals, check out our running list of the best iPhone 16 deals across carriers updated as soon as we detect a change. 

Also, our free and unbiased Phone Deal Finder below can quickly match you to the best iPhone deals you qualify for based on your criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e?

The most obvious difference between the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16e is the cost. The iPhone 16e is Apple’s most budget-friendly option in the iPhone 16 lineup at $599.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 starts at $799 and brings a bit more to the table, like the Dynamic Island, MagSafe compatibility, a brighter display, and extra camera features.

Is the iPhone 16e replacing the iPhone SE?

Yes, while Apple hasn’t officially called the iPhone 16e an SE replacement, it pretty much fills that role. It launched right around the time Apple usually drops new SE models, and the iPhone SE was removed from Apple’s online store after the 16e was announced. So, while the name is different, the 16e is clearly Apple’s new budget iPhone.

What does the “e” mean in iPhone 16e?

While Apple hasn’t officially revealed what the “e” in “iPhone 16e” stands for, many have speculated that it means “economical.” This makes sense, given that the iPhone 16e is positioned as the most budget-friendly option in the iPhone 16 lineup.

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