Apple iPhone 16 vs. iPhone 16e: How Much of a Difference Does $200 Make?
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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
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 last-generation Ceramic Shield front panel but an unspecified type of glass on the back. The iPhone 16 has a newer version of Ceramic Shield on the front, which should offer slightly more break and scratch protection.
Thanks to its Dynamic Island, better glass, and larger color palate, the iPhone 16 wins this round.
Winner: iPhone 16
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. The 16e screen is still easy to see in most lighting conditions, but when held side-by-side, the 16's screen is clearly brighter. Considering how similar the displays are otherwise, the iPhone 16's brighter panel sets it apart.
Winner: iPhone 16
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. All of Apple's current Intelligence features, including Genmoji, Image Playground, Visual Intelligence, and Writing Tools, are available on the 16e. Siri is the Apple Intelligence sore point across all iOS devices, and Apple's feet are in the fire.
In everyday use, the two phones act and feel the same. Neither feels quicker than the other. Using benchmarks to put some numbers behind their performance, we found the 16e actually bests the 16 on a CPU test like Geekbench but falls slightly behind on tests like GFXBench and 3DMark. The 16's extra GPU core helps it edge out the 16e on these graphics tests.
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. In testing, it holds up. The C1 kept a voice call connected during a 20-minute drive and delivered some of the fastest download speeds we've seen on AT&T's network.
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 perhaps the biggest differentiator here. Apple says the iPhone 16e has a 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 claims the iPhone 16e can run for up to 26 hours when viewing video—longer than any other iPhone with a 6.1-inch screen. In our battery drain test, the 16e outlasted the 16 by nearly four hours (21 hours and 37 minutes compared with 17 hours and 50 minutes).
Winner: Tie
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 more than three times as fast wirelessly at 25W.
Wired charging speeds are on even footing. With a 20W brick, the 16e and 16 need 69 and 66 minutes, respectively, to charge fully. Once both phones are updated to iOS 26 later this year, they'll tell you how long for a full charge.
Winner: iPhone 16
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 16 supports 0.5x, 1x, and 2x optical zoom, while the 16e is limited to 1x and 3x. Both support 10x digital zoom.
The 12MP TrueDepth selfie cameras of the iPhone 16e and 16 are the same, and both have 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 16 has more advanced video capture tools. It has a Cinematic mode with shallow depth of field and Dolby Vision, 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 takes fine photos, but the 16 is just more versatile.
Winner: iPhone 16
Based on our reviews and how the two phones perform, these are our buying recommendations:
If you're looking for the lowest-cost entry point into the iPhone ecosystem, great battery life, 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.
Interested in a different iPhone? See how the rest of the iPhone 16 family stacks up.
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