iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16e: What’s different?

Late last night, Apple surprised its fans by launching an affordable cousin to the iPhone 16. The brand has christened it the iPhone 16e and dropped its ‘SE’ suffix to move on to a simplified nomenclature. While the devices share the flagship name, features that set them apart could certainly make or break your buying decision.

From its accessible price point to solid battery life and reliable camera system, the iPhone 16e finds its own place in Apple’s lineup. If you’re standing at a crossroads wondering whether or not you should make that critical decision, this guide might just make it easier for you. Read on.

iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16e: Design and features

When it comes to appearance, both iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e largely look similar. Both devices boast of a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. The iPhone 16e delivers a bright 1,200-nit display, though the iPhone 16 steps up to an even brighter 2,000 nits for outdoor viewing. Design-wise, the iPhone 16e retains the traditional notch, whereas the iPhone 16 gets the sleek Dynamic Island.

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When we talk about performance, both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e seem almost identical. Both devices come powered by Apple’s latest A18 chipset featuring a 6-core CPU (two for performance and four for efficiency) for effortless multi-tasking. One notable difference, however, is in its GPU. The iPhone 16 comes with a 5-core GPU compared to the 16e, which gets a 4-core. But despite this, there may be a negligible difference in both their performances.

What’s even better is that Apple has also equipped the iPhone 16e with Apple Intelligence features, like its flagship cousin. The on-device AI capabilities bring in Visual Intelligence for smarter image processing as well as real-time enhancements.

iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16e: Camera

The camera on the iPhone 16e might just be a major differentiating factor for those considering a purchase. While the iPhone 16e features a single 48MP Fusion camera, which is equipped to handle high-quality images, it lacks an ultrawide sensor, which is available on the iPhone 16.

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However, bear in mind that the 16e does not support features such as macro photography or spacial photos. If that’s not all, you will also not be able to enjoy video modes such as Cinematic or Action modes, which are otherwise available on the iPhone 16.

While the iPhone 16e doesn’t include the Camera Control button, it retains the Action Button – letting you create quick shortcuts for your favourite features.

iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16e: Battery life

Interestingly, the iPhone 16e comes with a longer battery life compared to the iPhone 16. While the brand does not reveal the battery capacity for its iPhones, a video playback test on the iPhone 16e reveals it can last for up to 26 hours on a single charge. As for the iPhone 16, Apple advertises it offer up to 22 hours of video playback.

Further, the iPhone 16e has Apple’s C1 modem for 5G connectivity. The iPhone 16 has a Qualcomm modem for the same. Since we haven’t tested the former, we can’t conclude which one is better at connectivity. However, it’s worth noting for sure.

iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16e: Conclusion

The iPhone 16e is priced starting at Rs 59,900, whereas the iPhone 16 is currently priced at Rs 74,990. Keeping everything in mind, the device still makes a great purchase for those looking for an all-around Apple experience without spending a fortune.

Of course, that is until you’re alright with settling for a single-camera setup and fewer colour options, as the 16e only comes in classic black and white colourways. If your primary usage involves photo or videography, you might want to save a little more and get yourself the iPhone 16 instead.

Whether you opt for the budget-friendly iPhone 16e or the feature-rich iPhone 16, both devices deliver the reliable iOS experience that Apple is truly known for.