Apple iPhone 16e Review: A Simple Upgrade for the Everyday User

Selecting an Android phone can be quite a perplexing task. Unless you have a strong brand preference, there are numerous features to consider before making a choice. This complexity arises because Android phones vary greatly in design, hardware specifications, and software experiences, all while being built on Google’s Android framework. In contrast, the situation is much simpler for those looking at iOS devices.

If your beloved iPhone 12 has met an unfortunate end, and Apple Care cannot help you, you will find yourself with four new iPhones to choose from. Alternatively, you might find yourself contemplating the strengths and weaknesses of older models that must run on newer software versions. Moreover, older iPhones tend to receive less software support as time goes on.

As of last month, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15, along with their larger variants, were the only options for users seeking non-Pro iPhones. Recently, Apple has rolled out a new model, the iPhone 16e. It features some updated hardware but retains an outdated design. Additionally, it sacrifices several features typically associated with an iPhone. Priced starting at Rs. 59,900 in India (for the base 128GB model), this is fairly high given its hardware specifications. After a week of testing, I found myself questioning what defines an iPhone in today’s market.

Design of the Apple iPhone 16e: Is the Notch Still Relevant?

• Dimensions — 146.7mm x 71.5mm x 7.8mm
• Weight — 167g
• Durability — IP68

In a time when Android manufacturers are working to minimize the presence of selfie cameras, Apple has introduced a high-end iPhone in 2025 featuring a sink-shaped notch. Beyond just the notch, the thick bezels around the display give it an appearance reminiscent of iPhones released a couple of years ago.

The aesthetic of the iPhone 16e seems to merge the design of the iPhone SE (2022/2020) and the iPhone 14 (2022).

 

This design might not sit well with everyone, but when I compared it to the iPhone 15 Pro Max I previously reviewed, I began to appreciate the oddity of Dynamic Island introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro series.

From the outset, I believed that Dynamic Island was more of a regression for Apple than an advancement. Two years later, it still obstructs content visualization, affecting not only Pro models but also smaller formats like the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, including their Plus versions. Furthermore, it flexibly expands and contracts, making it even more distracting on compact displays.

The iPhone 16e’s chunky bezels and classic notch made me long for the more refined capsule-shaped Dynamic Island

 

However, upon seeing the iPhone 16e, I immediately saw how much neater and more compact Dynamic Island appears next to the old notch. Simultaneously, the notch on the 16e made me appreciate a more minimalist approach, where my phone doesn’t constantly bombard me with live activities (from multiple apps) at the top of the display. This is especially true since any ongoing activity can be accessed via the Notification Centre or the lock screen.

With a price range from Rs. 59,900 to Rs. 89,900, it’s somewhat surprising that Apple did not provide any color options. This suggests that if you desire some variety, you ought to upgrade to an iPhone 15/16.

An IP68 rating gives it solid protection against the elements, but remember that “liquid damage is not covered under warranty.”

The simpler rear camera design contributes to a sleeker overall form factor

 

Display of the Apple iPhone 16e: Is 60Hz Sufficiently “Smooth”?

• Display size — 6.1-inch, 1,170 x 2,532 pixels, 460ppi
• Display type — OLED, 60Hz
• Display protection — Ceramic Shield

iPhone enthusiasts continue to readily pay premium prices, allowing Apple to maintain control over key features until something noteworthy appears for Pro models. This could be attributed to the fact that those who haven’t experienced ProMotion on an iPhone may not know the difference.

Having transitioned to using 120Hz displays, even on budget (sub-Rs. 10,000) Android devices, going back to a 60Hz panel required some adjustment. I had to train my mind to cope with the slightly stuttering frame rates and marginally reduced responsiveness. I’d like to say the difference is negligible, but once accustomed to a 120Hz display, reverting to 60Hz is challenging.

Did I miss the high-refresh-rate display? Absolutely! Did I need it? Not really.

 

Despite its slightly reduced fluidity, the display (which seems to be inherited from the iPhone 14) is quite decent. Colors are accurate, and the 460PPI ensures that both text and images appear sharply defined. It also boasts sufficient brightness (though not as bright as Pro models), making outdoor use quite convenient. Furthermore, it supports Dolby Vision, and the content shines as anticipated.

Software of the Apple iPhone 16e: Status Quo

• Software version — iOS 18.3
• Software commitment — 5 years

After witnessing an official demonstration by Apple, I remained unconvinced about Apple Intelligence’s utility compared to the capabilities of Samsung’s Galaxy series and Google’s Pixel smartphones.

The sole feature that piqued my interest was Visual Intelligence, which can be activated via the Action Button to gather information about your environment. By tapping the ‘Ask’ button, it provides a brief summary using ChatGPT.

Apple’s iOS is in dire need of a significant update, and recent reports suggest that a major overhaul is on the horizon

 

On-device processing with Visual Intelligence is limited to text summarization (like text on a banner or display), quick recognition and tagging of objects (such as “this could be a carnation”), and uses in the Image Playground app to generate cartoon-style imagery. More complex requests, such as formatting content, are generally managed by ChatGPT.

Whether it’s image creation or editing, Apple still has significant room for growth to catch up with the capabilities of its competitors. Thus, even if Apple Intelligence (AI) arrives in India (expected release in April 2024), it won’t likely be of much practical use.

To sum it up, it shouldn’t heavily influence your buying choices, and news about Apple postponing many AI features until next year instead of delivering them this year (as previously promised) strongly suggests that it isn’t quite ready and shouldn’t be taken seriously just yet.

While the Action Button offers customization, those upgrading from older iPhone models might not find it as compelling as the classic switch

 

Feature-wise, compared to the typical iPhone 16 or even the iPhone 15, Dynamic Island and its notifications are the only notable absences. The Action Button stands as the sole contemporary feature making its way to the 16e. Users from the mentioned models will also gain access to Car Crash Detection.

Performance of the Apple iPhone 16e: Exceeding Expectations

• Processor — Apple A18 (with 4 core GPU), 4.02GHz, 3nm
• RAM — 8GB
• Storage — 128/256/512GB

When it comes to performance, the Apple iPhone 16e truly excels, both against its Android competitors and older iPhones. However, the new A18 chipset is not identical to the one used in the latest iPhone 16. The A18 is a binned variant, featuring one GPU core disabled, meaning it won’t deliver the same performance as the Apple A18 SoC present in the iPhone 16 Plus that I tested earlier. I’ve included benchmark results from a similarly priced Android rival in the comparison table below.

 

 

In my daily use of the iPhone 16e, I experienced no lags or performance issues. Whether it was running apps or gaming, the 60Hz screen refresh rate did lend a slightly sluggish visual, though the actual performance of the device remained commendable.

Regarding the advanced Apple C1 modem, I did not observe any significant differences while using the iPhone 16e in bustling Mumbai, powered by Jio’s 5G network. Even in crowded events, I faced no connectivity challenges, leading me to conclude that Apple’s C1 modem operates effectively, especially considering it is its initial iteration.

Audio quality was also impressive. The speakers provided rich sound with a good balance that enhances the experience while streaming videos or gaming.

Cameras on the Apple iPhone 16e: Somewhat Lacking

• Primary camera — 48-megapixel, f/1.6 aperture, OIS, AF
• Selfie camera — 12-megapixel, f/1.9 aperture, AF

In comparison to many smartphones available at this price point, Apple opted for a single rear camera on the iPhone 16e. This camera also manages digital zoom, featuring a default 2X zoom level alongside the standard 1X. Since some of Apple’s renowned camera features utilize multiple cameras, owners of recent dual-camera iPhones might find some options missing.

The camera application lacks Cinematic Video capabilities for adding a shallow depth-of-field effect. This wasn’t a deal breaker for me, but the absence of a comprehensive Portrait mode is. The single camera setup of the iPhone 16e immediately reminded me of the iPhone XR (2018), as its Portrait mode is restricted to human subjects only. I had anticipated some “AI magic” here, but it’s evidently absent.

Need an ultra-wide shot? You’ll have to take several steps back

 

It’s worth noting that Apple has not included the primary camera from the new iPhone 16, iPhone 15, or even earlier models like the iPhone 14. The primary camera is devoid of Apple’s sensor-shift stabilization technology, utilizing a standard lens-based OIS instead.

Apple iPhone 16e primary camera samples (tap images to view larger)

 

Daylight photos captured by the primary camera exhibit a commendable level of detail, although I did observe some nuanced textures upon zooming into these high-resolution images (24 megapixels by default), which seemed a bit odd.

The framing of the 1X primary camera feels somewhat limited and not wide enough. Considering this phone lacks a dedicated ultra-wide camera, a wider lens would have been preferable.

Apple iPhone 16e low-light camera samples (tap images to view larger)

 

Interestingly, the low-light performance isn’t up to par with expectations for this price segment. The camera frequently struggles in dim conditions despite having a bright f/1.6 aperture and OIS, requiring longer capture times in less illuminated settings. This leads to flatter textures, contrasting sharply with the brighter daylight images. The iPhone 16e also tends to oversaturate HDR in low-light scenarios, producing an overly processed aesthetic that only exacerbates its texture issues.

Apple iPhone 16e 2X (digital zoom) camera samples (tap images to view larger)

 

The 2X zoom is merely a digital cropping from the primary camera. These photos seem slightly soft and contain less detail overall. They are adequate unless scrutinized, but are far from acceptable when compared to smartphones with dedicated zoom capabilities. In low-light scenarios, the 2X zoom displays faint textures, lacks clarity, and doesn’t offer much detail.

Apple iPhone 16e primary Portrait mode camera samples (tap images to view larger)

 

Portrait photos taken with the primary camera yield good results in well-lit environments. However, introducing backlighting can result in poor edge detection, leaving the entire image either blurry or flat. The same issue arises during low-light photography, where the camera often struggles to focus correctly in this mode.

Apple iPhone 16e low-light selfie camera sample (tap image to view larger)

 

The selfie camera operates as expected, capturing decent images with accurate skin tones in well-lit conditions. However, it falters in low light, where produced images often turn out to be unusable, as illustrated in the preceding sample.

On the video front, the quality resembles that of Android devices; even at 4K 30 fps, it doesn’t exhibit the smoothness associated with modern iPhones like the 15 or 16. Thankfully, colors and dynamic range remain accurate, but the overall sharpness is lacking. Low-light video performance tends to be blurry and noisy, providing a generally soft output.

Battery of the Apple iPhone 16e: Quite Impressive

• Battery capacity — 4,005mAh
• Wired charging — Approximately 18-20W
• Wireless charging — 7.5W
• Charger in box — None

Apple’s promotional efforts for the iPhone 16e heavily underscore its battery life. According to Apple, much of this performance stems from a larger battery (attributable to the single camera setup). The new C1 modem is also touted as being more power efficient than its predecessor in the iPhone 15. Collectively, with the A18 chip and standard 60Hz display, users can expect commendable battery performance.

Battery usage can vary based on personal habits, making precise estimates challenging. However, one day I recorded approximately 70 1080p video clips (lasting between 30-60 seconds) along with 5G uploads for 70 percent of the clips, and my battery was at 50 percent by noon—a solid result, particularly for a compact phone!

In our HD video loop test, which plays a video file continuously until the battery drains, the iPhone 16e lasted for 21 hours and 50 minutes, which is respectable but not the best in its price range. In comparison, even Google’s Pixel 9, featuring a less efficient Tensor G4, achieved a better outcome of 25 hours and 6 minutes. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Plus we evaluated managed a much stronger 27 hours and 20 minutes.

An efficient way to recharge your iPhone 16e

 

Apple has not published specific charging statistics, so I used a 100W GaN charger (with PD support) to test the compact phone’s capabilities. The iPhone 16e achieved an impressive 58 percent charge in 30 minutes but then slowed, reaching 86 percent in 60 minutes. It took 1 hour and 34 minutes to reach a full charge, which remains quicker than the iPhone 16 Plus I previously reviewed, yet still disappointingly slow when compared to most Android phones available in the same price segment.

Final Thoughts on the Apple iPhone 16e

• Do you require a ProMotion display?
• Is having the latest processor essential?
• Do you value fast wireless charging?
• How important is a robust camera system?
• And do you need MagSafe and the accompanying accessories?

Ultimately, your specific needs will dictate whether you opt for the iPhone 16e or not. While I could make do with the 60Hz display, slower charging, and other compromises, the camera was a significant downside for me, especially given the price.

The major consideration is the iPhone 15 (Review). It is often available for a similar price to the iPhone 16e during festive promotions, making it less sensible to choose the iPhone 16e unless battery longevity is your sole priority.

This leaves the iPhone 16e primarily for the “I just need an iPhone” demographic. These individuals are less concerned about AI and are content with decent camera performance. They may not be aware of or interested in features like MagSafe or Dynamic Island.

Those who currently own an iPhone SE (2020/2022), an iPhone 7 series, or an iPhone 8 series and are budget-conscious can easily transition to the 16e. They will be pleased to access improvements such as USB-C charging, 5G support, and Car Crash Detection, alongside better battery life and marginally enhanced cameras compared to their older devices.

For everyone else, including those considering a switch from Android to iOS, I would recommend opting for the iPhone 15 or a 15 Plus.