Tech
As I spent the past week with the iPhone 16e, I couldn't help but feel that this latest offering from Apple is a bit of an enigma. Priced at $599, it's positioned as a more affordable option for those looking to upgrade from older models like the iPhone 8 Plus or X. However, with its lack of premium features and a price that feels a tad steep, it's hard to see this as the best value in the market.
Performance and Battery Life
One of the standout features of the iPhone 16e is its performance. Equipped with an A18 chipset that's nearly identical to the one in the iPhone 16, it handles demanding tasks with ease. The only notable difference is the reduction of one graphics core, which results in a slight increase in stutters during intense gaming sessions. However, this doesn't significantly impact the overall gaming experience.
The real star of the show is the battery life. Apple claims that the new C1 modem, designed in-house, contributes to this improvement. In my testing, the phone consistently lasted a full day with plenty of juice left over. On particularly busy days, I managed nearly nine hours of screen-on time, which is impressive for a 6.1-inch iPhone.
Features and Value
Despite its solid performance and battery life, the iPhone 16e feels like it's missing some key features that would make it a compelling purchase. Notably, it lacks MagSafe and the ultra-wideband chip, which are staples in more premium iPhones. The absence of these features, combined with a 60-Hz screen and only one rear camera, makes it difficult to justify the price.
The camera, while reliable, doesn't match the quality of the iPhone 16 due to smaller pixel sizes in the sensor. In low-light conditions, the differences are noticeable but not drastic. The screen, though perfectly legible, doesn't get as bright as its pricier counterparts and lacks the higher refresh rates found in many Android phones at this price point.
Source:
Julian Chokkattu, WIRED https://www.wired.com/review/apple-iphone-16e/
Image Credit: Julian Chokkattu