Apple is expanding its iPhone family with a new member: As a cheaper alternative to the flagships, the iPhone 16E aims to make the advantages of the current generation accessible to a wider audience. How does the SE successor perform in real-world testing?

From February 28, it will be on the shelves: Apple is launching its latest smartphone, the iPhone 16e, and it’s already generating curiosity. A cheaper device with the performance of the current smartphone generation of the extra class? Sounds like an attractive offer. Early reviews suggest the new smartphone is a full member of the iPhone 16 family, with some clever compromises but no serious performance issues.

Design and Display

The iPhone 16E features a simple, matte design in black or white, which, at first glance, may seem unspectacular. However, this minimalism gives the device a certain elegance, very much in the Apple style. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display provides high-quality images with rich colors and high contrast. The matte back feels premium and is less susceptible to fingerprints than shiny surfaces.

Performance Under the Hood

The heart of the iPhone 16E is the A18 chip, which is also used in more expensive models. In everyday use, even demanding apps run smoothly. The performance of the 4-core GPU is particularly noticeable in graphics-intensive games. With the C1 modem, Apple’s first own mobile phone chip, fast 5G connections are also possible.

A real plus point is the battery life: in tests, the device easily lasted a full day with intensive use. According to Apple, the battery should last up to six hours longer than the iPhone 11 and up to twelve hours longer than all generations of iPhone SE. This information seems realistic.

Apple Intelligence Integration

The complete integration of Apple Intelligence is also remarkable. Unlike some other manufacturers who reserve their AI features for the most expensive models, the iPhone 16E offers the complete arsenal of AI functions. In Germany, however, customers will only benefit from Apple Intelligence from April.

Camera with Clever Compromises

Apple has chosen an interesting path for the camera equipment: Instead of several physical lenses, there is a 48-megapixel main camera with an integrated 2x tele zoom. This “2-in-1” solution delivers decent results. The richness of detail in daylight is strong, and even in difficult lighting conditions, the camera performs well. This is where the conventional iPhone 16 and especially the iPhone 16 Plus are still clearly decreasing due to the two or three built-in cameras.

Price: Budget Model with Premium Price Tag

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the price. At $699 for the base model with 128 GB of memory, the iPhone 16E is the cheapest new iPhone, but by no means a bargain. Compared to some Android competitors who offer similar performance at a significantly lower price, this Apple device remains quite expensive. For example, the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G, which offers comparable specs, starts at around $450.

Storage Options

If you need more than the tight 128 GB of memory, you’ll have to dig deeper into your pocket. The price jumps for variants with more memory are traditionally quite high at Apple. $829 is due for 256 GB, and the largest variant with 512 GB costs a whopping $1,079. For comparison, the iPhone 16 ranges from $949 to $1,329 (in the Plus variant between $1,099 and $1,479), and the iPhone 16 Pro ranges from $1,199 to $1,829 (in the Max variant between $1,449 and $1,949).

All-Round Carefree Package with Small Weaknesses

The iPhone 16E is undoubtedly a full member of the iPhone family and not a slimmed-down variant. The processing quality is at the usual high Apple level, the performance is first-class thanks to the A18 chip, and the camera is more than sufficient for most everyday situations.

In addition to the price, the disadvantages include the limited selection of colors. Only black and white are available, which is somewhat disappointing compared to the colorful options of the more expensive models. You could also see the missing MagSafe support critically, and the dynamic Island on the upper edge of the screen at iPhones.

Conclusion: A Convincing Overall Package with Apple-Typical Surcharge

The iPhone 16E is a successful smartphone that offers the essence of the current iPhone generation at a slightly lower price. It is aimed at Apple fans who do not need the absolute top model but still want to benefit from current technology, style, and the upcoming AI features.

The big plus is the complete integration of Apple Intelligence, which is at the same level as with the more expensive models. Together with the powerful A18 chip, the strong battery life, and the solid camera, the iPhone 16E offers an all-round convincing package.

Nevertheless, the price remains a sticking point. At $699, the 16E is the cheapest current iPhone, but still expensive. Anyone who is already at home in the Apple universe and is looking for a new iPhone without making the highest demands will be happy with the iPhone 16E. For everyone else, there are alternatives in this price range that offer more storage or additional hardware features.