iPhone 16e review roundup: an okay, if compromised, device without a market

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Initial reviews and impressions for the iPhone 16e are here, and they're middling at best as everyone misses MagSafe.

Two stacked, white smartphones with visible side buttons, camera lenses, and reflective screens displaying colorful light reflections.
iPhone 16e reviews are in, and they're just okay. Image source: Apple



Apple discontinued the iPhone SE and introduced a whole new device at a higher price called the iPhone 16e. It has a series of compromises to make the price $200 lower than the base iPhone 16.

Reviews are out at a very odd 9 p.m. EST on a Wednesday, and there's a lot to say about this odd iPhone. While no one outright hates the iPhone 16e, it's a tough sell when used and refurbished models might offer a better deal.

Engadget: What's your acceptable compromise?



Cherlynn Low at Engadget reviewed Apple's latest entry model and says Apple's omissions are like stepping back in time. It's called an iPhone 16 but it's compromised enough to be noticeable in daily use.

The lack of MagSafe stings and the increased price isn't ideal, especially if you don't care about Apple Intelligence. A used iPhone model may be a better option.

The long battery life, display, and performance are all notably good. The single camera isn't.

Apple's custom C1 modem consistently outperformed speed tests run against an iPhone 16 Pro, but that could be a result of network differences. Overall, the modem didn't provide any issues.

If you don't care about MagSafe, taking the best photos, or would prefer not looking to Android for more savings, Low says the iPhone 16e is a good handset.

MKBHD: Who are you?



Marques Brownlee asks simply who the iPhone 16e is for. A playful skit at the start of his review shows a customer asking for Apple Intelligence, no MagSafe, a notch, and an Action button in an iPhone.



The lack of MagSafe is, again, a big sticking point. Third-party cases can bring back the magnets, but Qi charging just isn't comparable to the faster MagSafe speeds.

The camera takes okay photos with an older-generation sensor and features. It just doesn't have the same camera performance as modern iPhones.

Brownlee speculates that the entire purpose of the iPhone 16e is to have an iPhone at the bottom of the price ladder and entice customers to choose the base model. Otherwise, the price just doesn't make sense.

"Every single person considering the 16e should start by considering the 15 Pro," he said. "It's just, everything about it is better."

The Verge: eh, it's alright



Allison Johnson writing for The Verge says the iPhone 16e is everything she loves and hates about iOS. It's an iPhone through and through, but Android is offering better features at a lower price.

Customers that don't look for all the specs won't care and will buy this entry model, but more fussy ones will have a conundrum. Either it's MagSafe that will make you consider a more expensive iPhone, or the camera.

Collage highlighting phone features: USB-C, A18 chip, Apple Intelligence, satellite services, 5G, Face ID, 48MP camera, ceramic shield, water resistance, breakthrough battery life, and action button.
iPhone 16e offers several modern features, but cuts out a few essentials. Image source: Apple



iPhone 15 is only $100 more and has MagSafe, the Dynamic Island, and an ultrawide camera, but it lacks Apple Intelligence. It's a tough call and depends on the individual's needs.

The long battery life is useful and will likely get most people through a day of use. Battery health is a different question that can't be answered until these devices are used for much longer periods.

The C1 performed without issue, and Johnson says not noticing any differences is a good thing. Watching videos, making FaceTime calls, and uploading media didn't pose any problems.

People coming from an iPhone 11 might see the iPhone 16e as a good option. However, those invested in MagSafe would likely prefer that over Apple Intelligence.

Wall Street Journal: Apple's 'cheap' iPhone isn't so cheap. But is it a bad deal?



Nicole Nguyen writing for The Wall Street Journal says iPhone 16e is a decent choice for anyone that wants the basics. However, older models at a discount may be more enticing.

The battery life increase to 26 hours of video playback is an impressive feature. She notes that she would go to bed with 60% or more left on the battery each day.

Again, MagSafe is sorely missed. No access to magnetic wallets, stands, and chargers hurts, especially for those with a collection.

Nguyen says the "e" in iPhone 16e stands for "envy," which she felt any time she looked at a MagSafe-compatible iPhone while testing the device. Customers should consider the year-old iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro, which will still get years of updates from Apple.



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  • Reply 1 of 26
    nubusnubus Posts: 791member
    Saying there is no market for an XR-class phone offered at XR-discount is odd. XR sold very well. 16e adds OLED, AI, and nice materials to the winning concept of XR at the same 25% discount.
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  • Reply 2 of 26
    Luis.A.Masantiluis.a.masanti Posts: 84member
    Maybe it is just me… but I have a totally different explanation for the 16e.
    Apple was… ‘forced’… to do it by Apple Intelligence.

    Previous SE models were all made up of… old chips…
    But now, the need the newest one… to run Apple Intelligence.
    So… they put the needed CPU and RAM/storage… and build everything around,
    And they got a wonderful opportunity to test the C1!

    What's the catch? That maybe this model will live two years… and when the chip is… ‘old’… they could bring back the SE 4… well, a more budget-friendly model.

    Or… maybe… they sell zillions of 16e… and the ‘e model’ stays as a full member of the iPhone family.
    At the end of the day… it is the cheapest to run Apple Intelligence. If Apple Intelligen wins… 16e will also win.
    Time… the time Apple Intelligence takes to show its full potential will be the defining partner for the success of the 16e!
    randominternetpersonpulseimagesblastdoorwatto_cobraneoncat
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  • Reply 3 of 26
    SuntanIronMansuntanironman Posts: 106member
    Luis.A.Masanti said:
    Maybe it is just me… but I have a totally different explanation for the 16e.
    Apple was… ‘forced’… to do it by Apple Intelligence.

    Previous SE models were all made up of… old chips…
    But now, the need the newest one… to run Apple Intelligence.
    So… they put the needed CPU and RAM/storage… and build everything around,
    And they got a wonderful opportunity to test the C1!

    What's the catch? That maybe this model will live two years… and when the chip is… ‘old’… they could bring back the SE 4… well, a more budget-friendly model.

    Or… maybe… they sell zillions of 16e… and the ‘e model’ stays as a full member of the iPhone family.
    At the end of the day… it is the cheapest to run Apple Intelligence. If Apple Intelligen wins… 16e will also win.
    Time… the time Apple Intelligence takes to show its full potential will be the defining partner for the success of the 16e!
    When you said “forced” (before I continued reading) I thought for a second you were going to joke about Apple Intelligence reaching sentience and had demanded of Tim Apple to make a budget-friendly model capable of running Apple Intelligence. :D
    mattinozandbuwilliamlondonpulseimageswatto_cobra
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  • Reply 4 of 26
    charlesncharlesn Posts: 1,428member
    Apple's selling proposition for the 16e seems pretty clear: you can now buy a version of the world's best selling smartphone (the regular iPhone 16) for 25% less money. The pro side of the equation is also pretty clear: you save $200. On the con side are the various compromises that have been made to achieve that price point. Generally speaking, tech press pronouncements about Apple products have a long history of being wrong as a predictor of how they will ultimately fare with the general public. It's not that tech reviewers are wrong, per se, it's that the priorities of the tech press and commenters on tech sites are often very different from those of mass market buyers. 

    Apple's website is specifically pitching the 16e to current owners of the IPhone 11, 12, 12 Mini and SE 2 and 3 phones. Overall, it's a nice upgrade if you're coming from one of those phones. Not considered (and unknown) at this time is the effect if Amazon and other big retailers start discounting the 16e to $499 which would not be surprising. This would tilt the value proposition much more heavily in the 16e's favor. When Apple reports earnings in July for the quarter that ends on June 30, that will mark the first full quarter of 16e sales concluding with the busy graduation season and we should get a much better idea at that time from Apple of how the 16e is faring. 
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  • Reply 5 of 26
    SuntanIronMansuntanironman Posts: 106member
    charlesn said:
    When Apple reports earnings in July for the quarter that ends on June 30, that will mark the first full quarter of 16e sales concluding with the busy graduation season and we should get a much better idea at that time from Apple of how the 16e is faring. 
    We will get some idea about how well the iPhone 16e is doing from the earnings report, but not as much information as you might want. Apple typically keeps that information close to the vest. (Apple stopped reporting specific units sold a number of years ago.)

    Apple will report about the sales and revenue of the iPhone category overall and give a little information about how specific geographic regions are doing for the iPhone category. But Apple (almost certainly) won’t break-out how many iPhone 16e units were sold.

    If the iPhone 16e is massive success, Apple won’t tell us the exact number of units sold. And if the iPhone 16e is a spectacular failure, Apple won’t tell us the exact number of units sold. And if the iPhone 16e is somewhere in between a massive success or spectacular failure… well, you get the point, lol.

    We can get an idea of how well the iPhone 16e is selling from channel checks (financial analysts contacting parts suppliers, 3rd party retailers and such). Anytime you hear (for example) about how the iPhone 16 Plus is not selling very well, you are probably learning about that from analysts’ channel checks.
    jamnapwilliamlondonpulseimageswatto_cobra
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  • Reply 6 of 26
    randominternetpersonrandominternetperson Posts: 3,195member
    I really don’t understand why the internet talking heads are being so obtuse about this. So many people making their ignorance the headline: “I don’t know who this is for” or complaining that it’s just a watered down iPhone 16. The answer is so simple and obvious that the average consumer will get it immediately. The answer: $200 that stays in your bank account (or doesn’t add to your credit card balance). 

    I’ve been an Apple consumer since the 80s and I’ve lost track of how many iPhones (and iPod, iPods, etc) I’ve purchased for myself and family over the years. This is the first “economy” model iPhone I am actually considering. A current generation device, with better battery life (probably the most important “feature” of a phone imo) that omits two features I never use and don’t care about at a 25% discount? Yes please and thank you. 

    It’s the price, silly. 
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  • Reply 7 of 26
    SuntanIronMansuntanironman Posts: 106member
    randominternetperson said:
    The answer: $200 that stays in your bank account (or doesn’t add to your credit card balance). 
    $200 doesn’t stay in your bank account by buying the iPhone 16e. $600 leaves your bank account by buying the iPhone 16e. It’s a very common fallacy that people make on a daily basis (for purchases big and small). The only way to keep the money in your bank account is to not make the purchase.
    libertyandfreeandbuneoncatmuthuk_vanalingamgrandact73williamlondonalterbentzionstompyAutigerMarkChidoro
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  • Reply 8 of 26
    libertyandfreelibertyandfree Posts: 218member
    SuntanIronMan said:
    randominternetperson said:
    The answer: $200 that stays in your bank account (or doesn’t add to your credit card balance). 
    $200 doesn’t stay in your bank account by buying the iPhone 16e. $600 leaves your bank account by buying the iPhone 16e. It’s a very common fallacy that people make on a daily basis (for purchases big and small). The only way to keep the money in your bank account is to not make the purchase.
     The obvious appears to be lost on you. 
    nubusneoncatgrandact73williamlondonstompyChidoropulseimageswatto_cobra
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  • Reply 9 of 26
    M68000m68000 Posts: 935member
    This phone has a market,  big companies that provide phones for employees.  While more expensive than the SE was,  it still is cheapest option for new device.  They will choose this or android.
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  • Reply 10 of 26
    thttht Posts: 5,901member
    I really don’t understand why the internet talking heads are being so obtuse about this. So many people making their ignorance the headline: “I don’t know who this is for” or complaining that it’s just a watered down iPhone 16. The answer is so simple and obvious that the average consumer will get it immediately. The answer: $200 that stays in your bank account (or doesn’t add to your credit card balance). 

    I’ve been an Apple consumer since the 80s and I’ve lost track of how many iPhones (and iPod, iPods, etc) I’ve purchased for myself and family over the years. This is the first “economy” model iPhone I am actually considering. A current generation device, with better battery life (probably the most important “feature” of a phone imo) that omits two features I never use and don’t care about at a 25% discount? Yes please and thank you. 

    It’s the price, silly. 
    I think it is part and parcel of their training as gadget or product reviewers. It's a common question for a lot of reviews I've read over the years. It's so common that it's almost guaranteed that LLM chatbot reviews will have the same question in their responses. It's basically fine to ask the question as a product reviewer. They are trying to get in the minds of the product marketers of the company. Like you say though, it is a stupid mistake to put the question in writing and to answer it with an "I don't know".

    As soon as I see the question in a review, I stop reading. It's not even a good rhetorical device for writing the review.

    The iP16e is a great phone for the vast majority of users. Even heavy users on their phone all day. It will last 6, 7, 8 years, especially if the battery is replaced in year 4 or so. A starting price of $600 is fine for what you get. As is normal, if you want more, you have to pay more. If you want to pay less, that's an interesting question.
    edited February 27
    andbuneoncatrandominternetpersonstompyChidoropulseimageswatto_cobra
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  • Reply 11 of 26
    DAalsethdaalseth Posts: 3,271member
    charlesn said:
    Apple's website is specifically pitching the 16e to current owners of the IPhone 11, 12, 12 Mini and SE 2 and 3 phones. 
    Suppose that today I accidentally drop/step on/kick my iPhone11 down the stairs and HAVE to get a new phone. No waiting for September. To me I’d have a choice. A14, the closest thing to my 11 that works with all my existing chargers, cables, and such. Alternatively I could spend a bit more and get a 15 or even a 16 and get a massively better phone. If they are targeting me as an 11 user with this their shells aren’t even landing in the same continant. 
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  • Reply 12 of 26
    y2any2an Posts: 251member
    As usual, the media commentators do not understand Apple. Apple is very disciplined about operating margin, my guess is the SE was not making it. The SE was also not an attractive option for carriers to offer to new customers. The 16e allows carriers to offer an iPhone 16 model, which incidentally has an A18 processor so it meets Apple’s goal of AI everywhere, and will be able to offer this at deep discounts to customers while at the same time Apple makes good margin on the sale of the phone to the carrier. It’s that simple.

    I am also curious to see the teardown of this device has much was made in the promo about an all new internal design. I am wondering if this breaks new ground on repairability.
    randominternetpersongrandact73danoxChidoropulseimageswatto_cobraneoncat
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  • Reply 13 of 26
    teaearlegreyhotteaearlegreyhot Posts: 1,027member
    Are the quotes from Brownlee:
    "Every single person considering the 16e should start by considering the 15 Pro"
    and Nguyen:
    "Customers should consider the year-old iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro"
    correct?  I do not see any model named "iPhone 15Pro" for sale on Apple's store site.
    edited February 27
    watto_cobra
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  • Reply 14 of 26
    thttht Posts: 5,901member
    Are the quotes from Brownlee:
    "Every single person considering the 16e should start by considering the 15 Pro"
    and Nguyen:
    "Customers should consider the year-old iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro"
    correct?  I do not see any model named "iPhone 15Pro" for sale on Apple's store site.
    They likely mean either used or an unopened box from a 3rd party retailer. Either way, Apple knows its resale values. A new iPhone 15 Pro from a 3rd party will cost something like $800 to $900. A used iPhone 15 Pro will be $700 to $800. A used but mediocre condition iPhone 15 Pro might be available for $600.

    So, a buyer ends up with something that is on-balance "you want more, pay more".
    edited February 27
    stompywatto_cobra
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  • Reply 15 of 26
    SuntanIronMansuntanironman Posts: 106member
    libertyandfree said:
    SuntanIronMan said:
    randominternetperson said:
    The answer: $200 that stays in your bank account (or doesn’t add to your credit card balance). 
    $200 doesn’t stay in your bank account by buying the iPhone 16e. $600 leaves your bank account by buying the iPhone 16e. It’s a very common fallacy that people make on a daily basis (for purchases big and small). The only way to keep the money in your bank account is to not make the purchase.
     The obvious appears to be lost on you. 
    How so? It’s called “Spending to Save”. (It might have other names as well.) You don’t save $200 buying the iPhone 16e. You spend $600 to acquire the iPhone 16e. It’s a common spending mistake people make all of time. 
    thtwilliamlondonmuthuk_vanalingamChidorowatto_cobra
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  • Reply 16 of 26
    Wesley_Hilliardwesley_hilliard Posts: 458member, administrator, moderator, editor
    SuntanIronMan said:
    libertyandfree said:
    SuntanIronMan said:
    randominternetperson said:
    The answer: $200 that stays in your bank account (or doesn’t add to your credit card balance). 
    $200 doesn’t stay in your bank account by buying the iPhone 16e. $600 leaves your bank account by buying the iPhone 16e. It’s a very common fallacy that people make on a daily basis (for purchases big and small). The only way to keep the money in your bank account is to not make the purchase.
     The obvious appears to be lost on you. 
    How so? It’s called “Spending to Save”. (It might have other names as well.) You don’t save $200 buying the iPhone 16e. You spend $600 to acquire the iPhone 16e. It’s a common spending mistake people make all of time. 
    The logical fallacy you describe only applies if one option is spending no money at all. If the person has $1,000 to spend and can choose between an $800 object and a $600 object, they "save" $200 by getting the $600 object.

    What you're describing is what happens when someone gets a coupon in the mail that will save them $20 on a $100 purchase. If they never planned to make that purchase but do so because of the coupon, then they haven't saved anything.
    williamlondonstompyChidorowatto_cobra
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  • Reply 17 of 26
    SuntanIronMansuntanironman Posts: 106member
    The answer: $200 that stays in your bank account (or doesn’t add to your credit card balance). 
    $200 doesn’t stay in your bank account by buying the iPhone 16e. $600 leaves your bank account by buying the iPhone 16e. It’s a very common fallacy that people make on a daily basis (for purchases big and small). The only way to keep the money in your bank account is to not make the purchase.
     The obvious appears to be lost on you. 
    How so? It’s called “Spending to Save”. (It might have other names as well.) You don’t save $200 buying the iPhone 16e. You spend $600 to acquire the iPhone 16e. It’s a common spending mistake people make all of time. 
    The logical fallacy you describe only applies if one option is spending no money at all. If the person has $1,000 to spend and can choose between an $800 object and a $600 object, they "save" $200 by getting the $600 object.

    What you're describing is what happens when someone gets a coupon in the mail that will save them $20 on a $100 purchase. If they never planned to make that purchase but do so because of the coupon, then they haven't saved anything.
    Darn. My second reply here took forever to post (went into auto-moderation like 7 hours ago and only now just popped back out, lol). I wanted to edit/delete right after I posted it (so not to cause any further issues). It was a little rude of me. Sorry to the person I was replying to (that I gave unsolicited lecture to). I’m annoyed at myself for doing it. Sorry. 

    Edit: I meant to reply to my own reply. But instead I replied Wesley’s reply of my reply. Ugh. I’m doing a good job today, lol.

    Anyway, sorry again to “randominternetperson” (the user I replied to originally).
    edited February 27
    williamlondonwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 18 of 26
    22july201322july2013 Posts: 3,808member
    I believe I've read on another website that the iPhone 16e is "assembled in India" rather than the other iPhone 16 models being "assembled in China." That's all I need to know to make my decision, because I oppose genocide and support democracy, freedom and human rights.
    watto_cobra
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  • Reply 19 of 26
    teaearlegreyhotteaearlegreyhot Posts: 1,027member
    It’s the price, silly. 
     In that case, you can save a further $170 by buying the SE  (3rd Gen, Unlocked, New) from BestBuy online for $429 today.  Which is exactly what I did a week ago.  Dumped the content of my 2nd Gen into it, moved my Mint Mobile nano SIM over, and was off to other matters.  I saved you $370 on your new iPhone!  You're welcome.  If a refurb 3rd Gen had been available on the Apple Refurb store, I'd have bought that.  But in the month I've been watching, they were not to be seen.
    edited February 27
    williamlondonstompymuthuk_vanalingamChidorowatto_cobra
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  • Reply 20 of 26
    SuntanIronMansuntanironman Posts: 106member
    I believe I've read on another website that the iPhone 16e is "assembled in India" rather than the other iPhone 16 models being "assembled in China." That's all I need to know to make my decision, because I oppose genocide and support democracy, freedom and human rights.
    You a correct. All the variations of the iPhone 16 (no-suffix/Plus/Pro/Pro Max/e) are assembled in India. iPhones are, of course, assembled in China as well though. You could get an assembled in India iPhone 16e. Or you could get an assembled in China iPhone 16e.

    (Are you in America? I ask because):

    With the US tariffs of Chinese goods and whatnot, it would make sense for Apple to send the India assembled iPhone 16e to America. However, I’m not sure if that’s been confirmed yet. I guess we will find out for sure very soon though. I’m also very interested in what country the iPhones 16e will be from.
    edited February 27
    watto_cobra
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