The newest iPhone model, the iPhone 16E, is now available for preorder at a starting price of $599. With a release date of Feb. 28, the iPhone 16E boasts a sub-$600 price point, making it $200 less expensive than the iPhone 16. Despite the lower cost, the iPhone 16E comes equipped with many of the same features as its pricier counterpart, including an A18 chip, a 48-megapixel main camera, iOS 18, Apple Intelligence, and access to services like Facetime, iMessage, and Emergency SOS via Satellite. However, some compromises were made to achieve this lower price point, which highlights Apple’s priorities.
One noticeable omission from the iPhone 16E is MagSafe, a popular feature among iPhone users that debuted in 2020 with the iPhone 12. MagSafe uses magnets within the phone to facilitate wireless charging and attach accessories like wallets and battery packs. The iPhone 16E only supports 7.5W wireless charging, lacking the faster speeds of the iPhone 16. Additionally, the absence of an ultrawide and macro camera on the iPhone 16E means it only features a single rear camera, though the 48-megapixel sensor allows for sensor cropping and a 2x magnification.
The iPhone 16E weighs 167 grams, making it slightly lighter than the iPhone 16, which weighs 170 grams. The 16E also lacks the Dynamic Island cutout found on the iPhone 16, which displays system alerts and background tasks around the front camera. Another significant change is the inclusion of Apple’s in-house designed 5G modem called C1, which extends battery life but does not support 5G mmWave. While the iPhone 16E only comes in black or white color options, it does feature the A18 chip like the iPhone 16, albeit with one less GPU core.
Further differences between the iPhone 16E and other models include the lack of a Camera Control button, ultra-wideband chip, and support for Wi-Fi 6E and 7 standards. The iPhone 16E also does not offer specific video modes like Action, Cinematic, and Spatial. While some features are missing in the iPhone 16E compared to its counterparts, the phone’s overall performance is expected to be satisfactory for everyday use. As technology evolves, Apple continues to refine its product lineup to meet the needs of consumers looking for a balance of performance and affordability.
