iPhone 16e: A Budget-Friendly Alternative to iPhone 16

The iPhone 16e is Apple’s latest addition to its smartphone lineup, designed as an affordable counterpart to the iPhone 16. While these devices share certain features, they cater to various user needs and price points. The iPhone 16e starts at Rs 59,990 for the 128GB model, whereas the iPhone 16 begins at Rs 79,990 for the same storage capacity.

Design

Both the iPhone 16e and iPhone 16 are equipped with a 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display, which delivers vibrant colours and sharp clarity. However, the iPhone 16 offers superior brightness levels, reaching up to 2,000 nits outdoors, in contrast to the iPhone 16e’s 1,200 nits peak brightness. In terms of design, the iPhone 16 showcases the sleek Dynamic Island notch, while the 16e opts for a classic notch design.

The iPhone 16e is available in timeless White and Black, while the iPhone 16 presents a wider array of colours, including White, Black, Ultramarine, Teal, and Pink.

Performance

Both smartphones are powered by Apple’s cutting-edge A18 chip, ensuring seamless performance and compatibility with Apple Intelligence features. The iPhone 16e features a 4-core GPU, which is slightly less powerful than the 5-core GPU found in the iPhone 16. Nevertheless, typical users are unlikely to perceive any substantial differences in their day-to-day performance.

Camera

The camera arrangements are a significant differentiator. The iPhone 16e includes a single 48-megapixel Fusion camera, which captures high-quality images, but lacks the ultrawide lens featured in the iPhone 16. Consequently, the 16e does not support functions such as macro photography or spatial photos. Video creators will also notice that the iPhone 16e does not include the Cinematic and Action modes available on the iPhone 16.

Battery Life and Charging

Interestingly, the iPhone 16e provides a longer battery life, allowing for up to 26 hours of video playback, compared to the iPhone 16’s 22 hours. However, the 16e does not support MagSafe compatibility, which restricts wireless charging options to standard Qi charging at 7.5W, while the iPhone 16 accommodates faster MagSafe charging capabilities.

Additional Features

Both iPhone models feature the customizable Action Button, although the iPhone 16 additionally includes the new Camera Control button, which enhances photography access. The iPhone 16e does not have this feature. Regarding connectivity, the iPhone 16 can utilise Wi-Fi 7 and possesses Ultra Wideband functionalities, whereas the 16e is limited to Wi-Fi 6 and lacks Ultra Wideband support.

Which One Should You Choose?

For individuals seeking a budget-friendly iPhone that offers strong performance, the iPhone 16e is an excellent option. It is especially suited for users who value battery longevity and essential features, even if it means sacrificing advanced camera capabilities and MagSafe charging. On the other hand, if a more versatile camera system, greater display brightness, and extra features such as MagSafe are important, then the iPhone 16 warrants the extra investment.