iPhone 16e Long-Term Review: What to Know Before the iPhone 17e Launches

[MacRumors]

As we approach the launch of the iPhone 17e, MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera decided to take a look back at the iPhone 16e. He goes over what it's been like using Apple's budget iPhone over the past 12 months, and whether it's worth choosing over one of Apple's more expensive models.

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The iPhone 16e is $599, so it's $200 cheaper than the iPhone 17. iPhone 16e buyers didn't miss much in terms of performance or battery life compared to those who bought Apple's more expensive iPhones, but the device does only have a single camera, which is one of the main downsides.

There's a single-lens 48-megapixel Wide Angle lens, so no Telephoto and no Ultra Wide lens, which also means no macro support. The other major feature that's missing is MagSafe, which is majorly inconvenient since MagSafe charging is so prevalent. There's no Camera Control button, but that's easy to do without.

Apple used an older design for the iPhone 16e, so it still has a tired-looking notch instead of the Dynamic Island, and it only comes in black or white so there are no fun colors to choose from. Other than the camera, design, and MagSafe shortcomings, the iPhone 16e is remarkably similar to Apple's other iPhones and you're not going to notice much in the way of day-to-day differences between the iPhone 16e and a higher-end model.

We definitely don't recommend buying an iPhone 16e right now, but the iPhone 17e that's going to launch very soon will absolutely be worth considering over Apple's more expensive flagship iPhones.

Rumors suggest the iPhone 17e is going to solve some of the problems that we had with the iPhone 16e. It could get a Dynamic Island for the first time, adding all of the Dynamic Island features like Live Activities, and it's supposedly going to be updated with MagSafe. We're also expecting Apple's upgraded C1X modem and the same A19 chip that's in the iPhone 17.

As long as you don't mind the lack of extra cameras, the iPhone 17e, like the iPhone 16e, is going to be a very competitive iPhone that gives you a lot of performance for the money. If you've been waiting to upgrade from an older device, the iPhone 17e has the potential to be a very good buy.

Article Link: iPhone 16e Long-Term Review: What to Know Before the iPhone 17e Launches

 

[Kaiserschmarrn]

Had to use a 16e for a couple months as my only phone (now it's just a work phone) and for me the lack of the other 2 camera's was a massive downside, just so limited, no macrocamera is also very annoying for practical stuff.

 

[Shadow Demon]

If you want a smaller screen and could care less about the camera, the e series really is the only choice. It could be cheaper but the current price is not a barrier. It is what it is and for many it is enough.

 

[CarAnalogy]

MKBHD did the best video on this. This phone is for absolutely no one who is actually shopping for a phone. It's for people who don't care or have no choice what phone they get either because they'll take whatever comes free with the plan or whatever their work bought in bulk.

And that was when it was brand new and being compared to the 16 series. Now that the base 17 exists there's no reason for the 16e to exist.

 

[orangeadrenaline]

The people hating on the 16e are the geeks on this thread that have PRO models. The target market as pointed out on the 16e page are iPhone 12 and SE owners.

 

[marklcfc]

Notch > dynamic island

 

[winxmac]

During the Tim Cook era

Apple is still under Tim Cook, maybe you mean from the start of Tim Cook as CEO until now.

So, it's been 1 year since the iPhone 16e announcement

Notch > dynamic island

Hole punch camera with Face ID under the display is way better than the notch and dynamic island.

 

[surfsofa]

We are not all alike. Some of us like having less. Crazy, right? I love my iPhone Air, but if it didn’t exist my next choice would be an E.

 

[Apple_Robert]

In a previous review video, Dan said he was using the iPhone Air. How many different phones has he been using at once?

 

[Slo Pesci]

16e is a good phone. Fast, nice bright OLED, good camera, solid build quality. Looks dated but very capable.

But $599 USD is disgraceful.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

MKBHD did the best video on this. This phone is for absolutely no one who is actually shopping for a phone. It's for people who don't care or have no choice what phone they get either because they'll take whatever comes free with the plan or whatever their work bought in bulk.

And that was when it was brand new and being compared to the 16 series. Now that the base 17 exists there's no reason for the 16e to exist.

It's $200 cheaper. That's reason enough.

..and when a company, like mine, buys 300 of these, it adds up.

 

[SactoGuy18]

I think of the upcoming iPhone 17e as a repurposed iPhone 16 but with a single camera sensor in the rear.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I think of the upcoming iPhone 17e as a repurposed iPhone 16 but with a single camera sensor in the rear.

A year newer processor and another year of support.

 

[mzeb]

I have had really good luck with the 16e. Of the mentioned drawbacks the MagSafe issue was easily solved by MagSafe compatible case (and almost everyone uses a case of some sort).

The camera doesn’t have a solution. It is usually good enough but can have issues with motion. Compared to the 13 Pro Max I had prior I see more blur though still images are better so it’s just a trade off there.

But at a price of $600 the bang for buck is far and away the best of any iPhone IMHO.

 

[Markwebbvt]

I think of the upcoming iPhone 17e as a repurposed iPhone 16 but with a single camera sensor in the rear.

And still a mono speaker.

 

[JPack]

Honestly, the only thing missing from the 16e was 256GB base storage. You had to pump another $100 into it, which made it a poor value compared to iPhone 17.

 

[klasma]

MKBHD did the best video on this. This phone is for absolutely no one who is actually shopping for a phone. It's for people who don't care or have no choice what phone they get either because they'll take whatever comes free with the plan or whatever their work bought in bulk.

If I didn’t have the mini, I would be in the market for an “e”, because I value having no/minimal camera bump and a small and lightweight phone, and have always been fine with single-camera iPhones. I like its clean design best among the current lineup. It’s only a bit expensive for its feature set.

 

[turbineseaplane]

The fact that they moved the budget iPhone from $429 to $599 doesn’t support that.

That was exactly my first thought.

The 16e was a huge price hike to the entry point of iPhones.

 

[sracer]

my pre-paid, no contract cell service provider offered the 16e for $149. I snagged it a few months ago and I'm delighted with it... especially the increase in storage.

 

[turbineseaplane]

my pre-paid, no contract cell service provider offered the 16e for $149. I snagged it a few months ago and I'm delighted with it... especially the increase in storage.

Hard to argue the insane value on that!

 

[tubular]

I’ve got a 16e and I’m perfectly happy with it. But I’m also not a phone-based lifeform.

 

[DrWojtek]

Lol. The notch is the superior solution. Would you rather have a hole in the middle of your screen or a notch along the side? The answer is obvious. The hole may not be in the middle, but the principle is the same.

 

[Astuces iOS]

Good phone, with the release of the 17e, no more reason to buy 17 or 17 pro !

 

[ikramerica]

Notch > dynamic island

I thought so until I had the DI for a while and saw just how much happens in it.

 

[Paddle1]

The 16e's true value in the lineup shows when it's on sale, which it is a lot. The regular price is nothing special.