It’s also a bit of a frustrating conundrum.
Apple iPhone 16e: Two-Minute Review
The iPhone 16e is a good phone.
It has a pleasing design, and it feels like a true member of theiPhone 16family.
The iPhone 16e (center) with the iPhone 16 (right) and iPhone SE 3 (left).
There are ‘budget’ phones that cost far less and which have larger screens and multiple rear cameras.
It’s been a while since I’ve had such conflicting feelings about an iPhone.
Plus, it starts moving Apple out from under the yolk of Qualcomm, Apple’s cellular modem chipfrenemy.
Battery life in real-world use will, naturally, be a different story.
You just have to be willing to leave the Apple bubble.
Apple iPhone 16e: Price and availability
Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e on February 19, 2025.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
It’s available in black or white.
In particular, that was a $429 phone.
The phone’s price compares somewhat less favorably outside the iOS sphere.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
You won’t find more affordable new phones in the iOS space.
A refurbished iPhone 14 costs $529, but neither it nor the iPhone 15 supports Apple Intelligence.
The button configuration is essentially what you’d find on an iPhone 15.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Apple Intelligence can also analyze the image directly and identify the subject.
This 6.1-inch Super Retina XDROLEDscreen is nothing like the 4.7-inch LCD display on that now-retired design.
It still supports True Tone, Wide color (P3), and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The only area where it loses a bit of oomph is on the brightness front.
Peak brightness forHDRcontent is 1,200 nits, and all other content is 800nits.
The iPhone 16’s peak outdoor brightness is 2,000 nits.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
As with other non-pro models, the refresh rate on the iPhone 16e sits at a fixed 60Hz.
Colors are bright and punchy, and the blacks are inky.
Apple Intelligence, which Apple unveiled last June, is growing in prominence and utility.
I think I prefer the more utilitarian features of Apple Intelligence like Clean Up.
iOS 18 also features updated Photos and Mail apps with Apple Intelligence.
I hope Apple takes another run at these apps iniOS 19.
The iPhone 16e (left) next to the iPhone SE 3 (middle), and the iPhone 16.(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Siri is smarter and more aware of iPhone features than before.
Almost… until I consider the single, rear 48MP Fusion camera.
Had Apple priced this camera at $499, I might understand.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Still, I like this camera.
I captured excellent still lifes, portraits, and night-mode shots.
I was also impressed with the front camera, which is especially good for portrait-mode selfies.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Much of this image quality is thanks to the work Apple has done on its Photonic Engine.
I promise you’ll never notice the difference.
My only criticism would be that a 6.1-inch screen is a little tight for these games.
(Image credit: Future)
Previously Apple relied on, among other partners, Qualcomm for this silicon.
I opened messages, and the phone asked if I wanted to use the Satellite texting feature.
I got a ‘Connected’ notification, and then sent a few SMS texts over satellite.
(Image credit: Future)
It’s a nifty feature, and it was a nice little test of the C1’s capabilities.
I also tried a 20W charger, which charged the phone to 50% in 30 minutes.
Should you buy the Apple iPhone 16e?
Apple Intelligence Clean Up does an excellent job of removing those big lights(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
And the C1 chip does the comms trick.
5 / 5
Camera
One camera at this price might frustrate some, but it is an excellent one.
The 2x zoom is useful even if it’s not full frame.
See?(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Software
iOS 18 is a rich, smart, customizable and useful platform.
Apple Intelligence continues to improve.
but Siri needs to catch up.
You never liked the notch
Apple bringing back a none-too-loved display feature doesn’t make a lot of sense.
If a big optical zoom is your thing, look elsewhere.
Read TechRadar’siPhone 15 review.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Read TechRadar’sGoogle Pixel 8a review.
I put every phone through as many rigorous tests and everyday tasks as possible.
Correction 2-27-2025: A previous version of this review listed Audio Mix as part of Apple Intelligence.
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Rear camera, 2x(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Rear camera, 1x(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Rear camera(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Rear camera portrait mode(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Rear camera, 1x(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Rear camera, 2x(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Rear camera, 2x(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Rear camera, 2x, night mode(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Rear camera, 2x, night mode(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Rear camera, 1x(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Rear camera, 2x(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Rear camera, 1x(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Rear camera, 2x(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Rear camera, 1x(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Rear camera, 2x(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
