My Experience Switching from iPhone 16 Pro to iPhone 16e for a Week

Apple has recently introduced its latest budget-friendly smartphone, the iPhone 16e. After a three-year gap since the last model, this release includes significant upgrades such as Apple Intelligence, an A18 chipset, a new cellular modem, improved battery life, and the ever-convenient Face ID feature.

The iPhone 16e is priced at just $599, making it a more affordable alternative to the base iPhone 16 model, which sells for several hundred dollars more. If you are considering buying a modern iPhone without spending a fortune, now could be the ideal time.

To evaluate the iPhone 16e, I decided to swap my iPhone 16 Pro, which I had used since its release in September. My experience revealed several interesting insights.

1. Software Packed with Apple Intelligence

The iPhone 16e performs well on the software front. Transitioning from the iPhone 16 Pro to the iPhone 16e was smooth as they both utilize the same silicon, allowing the iPhone 16e to access all the features of iOS 18 fully. This includes advanced Apple Intelligence tools, which was a pleasant surprise.

Despite its lower price and fewer GPU cores compared to its higher-end counterparts, the iPhone 16e provided access to various Apple Intelligence features such as Writing Tools, Notification Summaries, and Image Playground, among others. Most notably, users of the iPhone 16e will receive all Apple Intelligence updates when they become available, unlike users of older iPhone models.

Apple Intelligence aims to offer personalized assistance based on individual user contexts and data, which is a fantastic advantage for iPhone 16e users who save on their initial purchase price. However, it’s advisable not to base your purchasing decision solely on this feature, as some reports suggest Siri 2.0 may not be rolled out until 2027.

2. A Sufficient Camera System

The iPhone 16e's front camera remains consistent with the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup at 12MP, meaning selfie quality won’t differ significantly. However, the rear camera setup is less advanced compared to the iPhone 16 Pro.

The iPhone 16e provides a 48MP wide camera and an integrated 2x telephoto, which is an upgrade over its predecessor but might deter serious photography enthusiasts. While the iPhone 16 Pro's dual-camera system captures more refined images, those who frequently utilize the ultra-wide capabilities of the Pro may find the absence of this feature limiting.

Although this model cannot shoot ProRaw or cinematic video, the iPhone 16e can still take beautiful photos. If advanced camera features aren’t a priority, the iPhone 16e’s camera will meet most users' needs.

3. Missing Dynamic Island and Camera Control Features

One notable difference in the iPhone 16e is its lack of a Dynamic Island feature and Camera Control button. While this might give a more dated appearance compared to the iPhone 16 Pro, I found that my daily usage was minimally affected. I rarely used these features, leading me to believe their absence wouldn’t be significant for most.

I enjoyed using the Camera Control on the iPhone 16 Pro to take photos quickly, but I managed to map the camera feature to the Control Button on the iPhone 16e satisfactorily. However, I did miss the MagSafe feature, which has been included in many earlier models. If you rely on these accessories, you may want to consider this limitation.

4. An Adequate Display Experience

During my week with the iPhone 16e, I spent a lot of time watching videos and browsing social media. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display did not noticeably differ from the iPhone 16 Pro, making it an excellent value for its price point.

Although its peak brightness of 1,028 nits was lower than the Pro, it still provided a satisfactory viewing experience, even under direct sunlight. A drawback is the 60Hz refresh rate, which is half that of the iPhone 16 Pro's 120Hz. While I detected some stuttering in animations, this is not likely to be a dealbreaker for most users.

That said, the display is a leap forward compared to the iPhone SE 2022, which featured a much smaller 4.7-inch Retina HD display.

Additional Noteworthy Features

The iPhone 16e includes several other appealing aspects:

• Lightweight Design: At just 5.88 ounces (167 grams), the iPhone 16e is significantly lighter than the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which weighs 7.03 ounces (199 grams). This makes it comfortable to carry, although the trade-off is a glass back versus the Pro's titanium.
• Apple C1 Modem: The iPhone 16e features Apple's first 5G modem, the Apple C1, which promises faster connectivity and optimized battery life. My personal experience revealed consistent service, which is the intended result.
• Battery Life: Users can expect an impressive battery life of up to 26 hours of video playback, which is a vast improvement for those upgrading from older models like the iPhone 11.

Final Buying Recommendations

The iPhone 16e is a solid choice for anyone willing to forgo some advanced features of the higher-end iPhone 16 models. My primary sacrifices when switching from the iPhone 16 Pro were the ultra-wide lens and advanced photography options. However, for most other smartphone needs, the iPhone 16e competently holds its own while maintaining an affordable price of $599.

iPhone, Apple, camera, software, display