In the past, recommending the cheapest iPhone was easy. You wanted something small, reliable, and inexpensive? Boom—iPhone SE. That formula, “old body, new chip,” worked great and made sense at $399 or $429. But Apple has changed the game with the iPhone 16e. This phone now starts at $599, which forces us to ask: Is it still a budget iPhone? And more importantly—should anyone actually buy it?
Let’s unpack the iPhone 16e, why it exists, what it offers, and who—if anyone—should consider it.
The Franken-iPhone: Old Parts Meet New Tricks
Apple’s been doing this for years: using existing parts from older iPhones to build a new, cheaper one. The iPhone 16e follows the same “parts-bin” strategy. It takes the body of an iPhone 14, throws in a few updates, and repackages it with just one rear camera.
It includes:
- Aluminum build with flat sides
- Face ID
- 6.1-inch OLED display (still 60Hz, not 120Hz)
- Action Button
- USB-C port
- IP68 water resistance
Design-wise, it’s a step up from the ancient iPhone SEs with home buttons. But once you dive deeper, the limitations start to surface.
Specs & Performance: New Chip, Slightly Cut
The iPhone 16e features Apple’s newest chip—A18—but with a small twist: it’s a binned chip with one less GPU core. Realistically, unless you’re doing intensive gaming, you won’t notice the difference. That said, it’s still among the most powerful chips in a $600 phone.
But don’t be fooled—this isn’t the same performance as the iPhone 16 or 16 Pro. It’s close, but not equal.
Display & Design: Better, But Not Best
Yes, it’s an OLED panel, but:
- It’s 60Hz, not 120Hz.
- It’s dim in direct sunlight.
- It comes in just two boring colors: matte black and matte white.
Apple used to offer bold colors and even (RED) models with proceeds going to charity. That’s gone now. So if you want color, you’ll need a case or skin.
Camera: 48 Megapixels, But…
Yes, you get a 48MP camera. No, it’s not the same sensor as the iPhone 16 or 16 Pro. The sensor is much smaller and lacks advanced stabilization. That means:
- Decent daylight shots
- Soft low-light photos
- No cinematic mode
- No spatial video
- No macro shots
If the camera is a priority, the 16e will disappoint. It’s fine, but not flagship-quality. Think Pixel 7a-style performance.
MagSafe Is Missing. Seriously?
It’s 2025, and MagSafe is now standard in nearly every iPhone experience—except the 16e. Instead, you get slow 7.5W wireless charging without magnets. So if your phone is slightly misaligned on the charger, it might not charge at all. That’s… frustrating.
Introducing Apple’s C1 Modem
Here’s a nerdy but interesting update: Apple has finally ditched Qualcomm modems for its own C1 in-house modem. This is a huge step for Apple’s vertical integration strategy.
You won’t notice much—speeds are fine, calls are stable—but battery life is a big winner here. The C1 modem is more efficient, and paired with a larger battery (thanks to the 14-sized chassis), the 16e finally delivers good battery life, rivaling even the iPhone 16 Pro.
What You Don’t Get
- No MagSafe
- No second/ultrawide camera
- No Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7
- No ultrawide band (no precision AirTag finding)
- No millimeter wave 5G
- No cinematic/spatial video
So… Who Is This For?
If you’re using an iPhone 11, 12 Mini, or SE, this is a decent upgrade. You’ll get a modern look, better chip, good battery, and Apple Intelligence support. But if you’re someone looking for value, the 16e starts looking a bit questionable.
The Real Issue: The Price
Let’s be honest. Everything wrong with the iPhone 16e is the price.
At $599, you’re better off buying:
- A refurbished iPhone 15 Pro (same price, triple cameras, 120Hz, better screen, brighter display, better build)
- Or even a discounted iPhone 15/14 Pro
Apple is doing what Apple does—positioning the 16e as a stepping stone on their price ladder. But it’s hard to recommend it when one step up gets you a dramatically better experience.
Verdict: Skip It—Unless You Have No Other Option
The iPhone 16e is technically the cheapest new iPhone. But it’s no longer cheap. It’s no longer budget-friendly. And it’s no longer the obvious recommendation.
Unless you’re upgrading from a really old phone and just want something that “feels” modern, skip the 16e. Get an iPhone 15 Pro on refurb. You’ll thank yourself later.
What do you think of the iPhone 16e? Would you spend $599 on it or go for a 15 Pro instead? Let us know in the comments below.
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