iPhone 16e Review: A Budget iPhone That’s Not Really Budget?

iPhone 16e When Apple announced the iPhone 16e, many expected a new budget replacement for the iPhone SE—a $430 phone. Instead, we got a $600 semi-flagship that’s 40% more expensive than anticipated.

So, does it justify the price? Or is Apple strategically removing features to push you towards a more expensive iPhone? Let’s break it down.

Battery Life: The 16e’s Biggest Strength
🔋 The iPhone 16e has the best battery life of any iPhone in its class.

📌 Why?
✅ Larger battery → Nearly 4,000mAh, bigger than the iPhone 16, 15, and even 14.
✅ C1 5G modem → Apple’s first in-house modem, designed for efficiency.
✅ A18 chip → Energy-efficient with strong performance.

🚀 Battery life is so good it feels like a “Plus” or “Max” model in a standard-size phone.

💡 Verdict: If you prioritize long battery life over everything else, the iPhone 16e is a great pick.

What’s Missing? The iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 15 & 16

While the 16e keeps some premium features, Apple cut key elements to segregate it from the iPhone 16 and push customers toward pricier models.

Major Features Removed:

🚫 No MagSafe → No magnetic charging, car mounts, or StandBy mode.
🚫 No Ultra-Wide Camera → No macro photography or wider shots.
🚫 No Dynamic Island → Sticks with the old notch.
🚫 No Sensor-Shift Stabilization → Less stable video recording.
🚫 No Ultra-Wide Band → Less precise AirTag tracking & digital car keys.
🚫 No Millimeter-Wave 5G → Slower in certain ultra-fast networks.

💡 What Stands Out?

MagSafe removal feels intentional → Apple could have easily kept it in but chose not to.
Ultra-wide lens removal hurts → Even casual users benefit from it.
📌 What You Still Get:
✅ 48MP Camera → Still solid, but missing versatility.
✅ OLED Display → First time on a budget iPhone.
✅ Face ID → Industry-best biometric security.
✅ Action Button → Customizable, but no camera control.

C1 Modem: A Big Gamble That Seems… Fine?

Apple spent years and billions of dollars developing its own C1 modem instead of relying on Qualcomm.

📡 Real-World Performance:

✅ Good connectivity in cities like Toronto & NYC.
✅ Comparable speeds to Qualcomm modems.
🚫 No mmWave 5G → Not a big issue for most users.

💡 Verdict: The C1 modem performs well, but it’s not noticeably better or worse than Qualcomm.

Display: OLED, But Still 60Hz
📺 The iPhone 16e finally gets an OLED panel, something the iPhone SE never had.

📌 The Downsides:

Only 800 nits brightness (vs. 1,000 nits on iPhone 16 & 15).
Still 60Hz → No ProMotion or smooth scrolling.
Thicker bezels than the iPhone 16 & 15.
💡 Verdict: OLED is a welcome upgrade, but 60Hz is disappointing at $600.

Apple Intelligence: A Selling Point That’s Not Ready Yet
Apple pushed AI as a key feature, but is it worth buying the iPhone 16e for?

🚀 Current AI Features:
✔ Smarter Siri & suggestions
✔ Text & image enhancements
✔ Basic AI tools integrated into iOS

📌 The Problem?
❌ Apple Intelligence isn’t fully developed yet.
❌ Not useful enough to justify choosing the iPhone 16e over an iPhone 15.

💡 Verdict: Apple Intelligence is not a compelling reason to buy this phone.

The MagSafe Controversy: Why Did Apple Remove It?
MagSafe was introduced in 2020 and has been a standard feature ever since. So, why did Apple remove it from the iPhone 16e?

📌 It’s NOT about space → The iPhone 14 had MagSafe, and it’s the same size.
📌 It’s NOT about cost → Magnets are thin & cheap to include.
📌 It’s about product segmentation → Apple wants people who want MagSafe to buy a more expensive iPhone.

💡 The Proof? Even Apple’s own official 16e cases don’t have MagSafe support.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the iPhone 16e?
📌 Price: $599 for 128GB → Puts it in mid-tier pricing, not budget iPhone territory.

✅ Buy It If:

✔ You need an iPhone with great battery life.
✔ You want the cheapest new iPhone with Apple Intelligence.
✔ You don’t care about MagSafe or an ultra-wide camera.

🚫 Skip It If:

❌ You expected an iPhone SE 4 for $500.
❌ You want MagSafe or an ultra-wide camera.
❌ You’d rather buy a refurbished iPhone 15 for the same price.
❌ Apple Intelligence isn’t a must-have for you.

💡 Best Alternative?

At $600, a refurbished iPhone 15 offers:

**Better cameras (with Ultra-Wide)
MagSafe support
More features for the same price**.

📌 Final Thought:

The iPhone 16e is good but overpriced. If you’re looking for an affordable iPhone, wait for price drops—or just get an iPhone 15 instead.