The iPhone 16e is the most affordable entry point into the iPhone 16 family. Starting at $599 for a model with 128GB of storage, the iPhone 16e undercuts the standard iPhone 16 by $200. The iPhone 15 is still around, but the iPhone SE and iPhone 14 are no more.

Based on the design, features, and price, you might find it hard to choose between the $599 iPhone 16e and the $799 iPhone 16. We've thoroughly tested the iPhone 16, which is currently our Editors' Choice winner in the lineup. But if you're thinking about pre-ordering the iPhone 16e ahead of its release on Friday, February 28, we're here to take a look at how the two phones stack up on paper to help you decide which one is right for you.

Price

The iPhone 16e starts at $599 and comes with 128GB of storage. The 256GB model costs $699, and the 512GB version is $899. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 offers the same three storage options but at $799, $899, and $1,099, respectively.

If it's just dollars and cents, the iPhone 16e comes out on top.

Winner: iPhone 16e

Design

Both the iPhone 16e and 16 feature similar designs with flat metal sides, flat glass panels, and rounded corners. The iPhone 16e measures 5.78 by 2.82 by 0.31 inches (HWD) and 5.88 ounces, which makes it a little shorter and lighter than the iPhone 16 (5.81 by 2.82 by 0.31 inches, 6.0 ounces).

The iPhone 16e brings back the notch at the top of the screen, first seen on the iPhone X, while the 16 has the newer Dynamic Island at the top of its screen. Both phones rely on FaceID for biometric authentication.

As for colors, the iPhone 16e comes in only Black or White. The iPhone 16 comes in Black, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine (lavender), or White. If you prefer a splash of color, you know which to pick.

Both devices have the same IP68 rating for protection against dust and water. Each has an aluminum frame. The 16e has a Ceramic Shield front panel but an unspecified type of glass on the back. The iPhone 16 has a newer version of Ceramic Sheild on the front, which should offer slightly more protection.

Thanks to its Dynamic Island, better glass, and larger color palate, the iPhone 16 wins this round.

Winner: iPhone 16

Display

Both devices use a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, but their resolutions differ ever so slightly. The iPhone 16e has a resolution of 2,532 by 1,170 pixels, while the 16 has 2,556 by 1,179 pixels. Despite the minor difference in the number of pixels, Apple says both have the same density of 460 pixels per inch for essentially the same viewing experience.

The iPhone 16's typical brightness is 1,000 nits, and it peaks at 2,000 nits outdoors. The iPhone 16e is a little dimmer, with a typical brightness of 800 nits and a peak of 1,200 nits. Considering how similar the displays are otherwise, the iPhone 16's brighter panel sets it apart.

Winner: iPhone 16

Performance

The iPhone 16 and 16e both use a version of Apple's A18 processor, though they are slightly different. The iPhone 16's A18 processor features a six-core CPU with two performance and four efficiency cores, a 16-core Neural Engine, and a five-core GPU. The 16e, meanwhile, has a four-core GPU, so it's down a single core from the iPhone 16. Early reports suggest the 16e has the same 8GB of RAM as the 16, but Apple hasn't confirmed that.

Both devices run iOS 18 with Apple Intelligence and can process AI tasks both on-device and in the cloud. Apple says all of its Intelligence features are available on the 16e, including Genmoji, Image Playground, Visual Intelligence, and Writing Tools.

We have yet to test the iPhone 16e, but given the minor difference in the number of cores in the 16e's chip, we expect it to perform in line with the pricier iPhone 16. We will point out any differences in our full review.

The iPhone 16e is the first device with an Apple-designed modem, the C1. The company claims this is the most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone and is 25% more power-efficient than the modem of the iPhone 15. The C1 supports all the low- and mid-band 5G spectrum used by US carriers but doesn't support the ultra-fast mmWave signals that the 16 does.

As for other radios, the iPhone 16 has Wi-Fi 7 and an ultra-wideband (UWB) chip for precise location tracking, while the 16e has Wi-Fi 6 and no UWB chip.

Battery life is the real question mark here. Apple says the iPhone 16e has a fully new internal design, which allows it to give the device a bigger battery. Moreover, the C1 modem was designed with efficiency in mind. Taken together, Apple expects the iPhone 16e to run for up to 26 hours when viewing video—longer than any other iPhone with a 6.1-inch screen (the iPhone 16 lasted 18 hours in testing). More than any other category, this one will come down to performance benchmarks, so we're calling it a tie for now.

Winner: Tie

Charging

The iPhone 16e supports standard Qi wireless charging at 7.5W. Puzzlingly, it is not compatible with Apple's MagSafe charger or MagSafe accessories. If you want MagSafe, you'll have to go with the standard iPhone 16. Moreover, the 16 charges twice as fast wirelessly at 15W.

Winner: iPhone 16

Cameras

The front TrueDepth cameras of the iPhone 16e and 16 are almost exactly the same. They both have 12MP sensors and access to the A18's image signal processor. The 16 features Cinematic mode with up to 4K30 video capture and focus and depth control in portrait mode. The 16e does not have the Cinematic mode and can control depth only in portrait mode. Otherwise, they are the same spec for spec.

The iPhone 16e has a 48MP Fusion Camera on the rear, while the iPhone 16 has a 48MP Fusion Camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The 16 can shoot macro photos and spatial photos for the Apple Vision Pro, but the 16e cannot do either.

The iPhone 16 has more advanced video capture tools. It has a Cinematic mode with shallow depth of field, Action mode, Spatial Video recording, and Macro Video recording. None of these options are available with the iPhone 16e. However, they both can shoot up to 4K video at 60 frames per second (fps) and 1080p slo-mo video at 120fps or 240fps.

The touch-sensitive Camera Control is available on every iPhone 16 except the 16e. The iPhone 16e will probably produce beautiful images, but the 16 is just more versatile.

Winner: iPhone 16

Verdict: Which iPhone Is Right for You?

Until we get a chance to test the iPhone 16e, these are our buying recommendations based on specs:

*If you're looking for the lowest-cost entry point into the iPhone ecosystem and Apple Intelligence, the iPhone 16e is the way to go.

*If "mostly the basics" are all that matter to you and you don't mind the notch or limited color palette, you'll be more than happy with what the iPhone 16e offers.

*If you want more advanced photography and videography features, the iPhone 16 is the better option.

*If you prefer to have extras like MagSafe compatibility, faster mmWave 5G, faster Wi-Fi 7, and Apple's Dynamic Island, you should get the iPhone 16.

We hope to review the iPhone 16e soon, so make sure to check back for our definitive buying advice once we do. In the meantime, see how the rest of the iPhone 16 family stacks up.

By: DocMemory
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