On Wednesday,Apple refreshed its budget iPhone line.
However, this isn’tthe iPhone SE 4; it’s theiPhone 16e.
The TL;DR: The iPhone 16e isremarkablysimilar to the iPhone 16.
Apple says it typically reaches 800 nits of brightness, and 1200 nits for HDR content.
Performance
Both iPhones are running the A18 chip, which is Apple latest iPhone SoC.
On the 16e, that gets you a six-core CPU, four-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine.
That’s about the same on the 16, except it gets an extra GPU core.
It’s a minor bump, however, and likely not something to base a purchase decision on.
Both cameras offer “super-high-resolution” photos, in both 24MP and 48MP options.
Both cameras also support 12MP “2x telephoto” zoom at 52mm.
Based on paper specs, you’ll probably achieve similar results between both of these cameras.
However, what you’re missing on the 16e is the 12MP ultra-wide lens.
On the front, you get the same 12MP selfie camera with an aperture of /1.9.
In its place is the Action button, just as you’d find on the iPhone 16.
However, the iPhone 16 does come with a button the 16e does not:Camera Control.
All other iPhones use modems from Qualcomm.
Apple says the 16e has the “best battery life ever on a 6.1-inch iPhone.”
Colors
The iPhone 16e only comes in two colors: Black or White.
That means the phones can handle submersion in six meters of water for up to 30 minutes.
Both the 16 and the 16e come in three storage sizes: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
They’re quite similar in size and weight, too.
However, the price is what is supposed to make the 16e the bargain here.
The 16e is indeed less expensive, but it isn’t cheap.
It starts at $599 for the 128GB model.
“Budget” iPhone clearly means something different now.
Everything is pricey these days, which needs to be taken into consideration here.
Yesterday, you could buy an iPhone 16 for $800.
Pre-orders for the 16e start Feb. 21.
The iPhone will be available starting Feb. 28.
