iPhone 16e Reviews: Is It Worth $599?

[MacRumors]

Apple's entry-level iPhone 16e launches this Friday. Ahead of time, the first reviews of the device have been shared by select media outlets and YouTube channels.

iPhone 16e features include a 6.1-inch OLED display with a notch, Face ID, an A18 chip, Apple Intelligence support, a USB-C port, an Action button, and a single 48-megapixel rear camera that offers 2x zoom with optical-like quality. The device is also equipped with the Apple-designed C1 modem for 5G and LTE connectivity.

The power-efficient C1 modem and a larger battery contribute to the iPhone 16e offering the longest battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone model ever, according to Apple. The company's tech specs state that the iPhone 16e offers up to 26 hours of battery life for offline video playback, compared to up to 22 hours for the regular iPhone 16.

Unfortunately, the iPhone 16e does not support MagSafe. It also lacks an Ultra Wideband chip, which powers the Precision Finding feature in the Find My app. In addition, the A18 chip in the iPhone 16e has a 4-core GPU, versus a 5-core GPU in the regular iPhone 16.

In the U.S., the iPhone 16e starts at $599. Is it worth it? Many reviewers think so, but the lack of MagSafe on the device is surprising and disappointing. There are a few reasons you might want to consider purchasing a regular iPhone 16 for $799 instead, including MagSafe, the Dynamic Island, an Ultra Wide camera, and Wi-Fi 7 support instead of Wi-Fi 6, but otherwise the iPhone 16e still offers many modern features at a more modest price. For the average customer, the iPhone 16e is a perfectly fine choice.

Many of the iPhone 16e's features already existed, so our review roundup focuses on new and notable aspects, including the C1 modem, battery life, the graphics performance of the A18 chip with a reduced 4-core GPU, and the lack of MagSafe.

Review Highlights

C1 Modem

Apple wants to move away from Qualcomm modems in iPhones, and that transition starts with its custom-designed C1 modem in the iPhone 16e.

The Verge's Allison Johnson said she "didn't see any consistent difference in performance" between the C1 modem and a regular iPhone 16 with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X71 modem:

Much of the 16E is familiar, but there is one entirely new component: Apple's C1 modem. This is its debut appearance, and the road to Apple's first in-house modem was reportedly full of setbacks and delays. I've used it for the past week to make FaceTime calls, upload large video files in crowded places, and stream YouTube on the bus. I tested it alongside a regular iPhone 16 equipped with a Qualcomm-made modem — both on Verizon — and I didn't see any consistent difference in performance between the two.

Tom's Guide's John Velasco didn't seem to notice any major difference either:

And finally, you should know that the iPhone 16e is the first device in Apple's portfolio to feature the company's in-house C1 modem. It's a departure from the Qualcomm modem that Apple's relied on for years now, but it’s difficult to say if it ultimately delivers faster 5G speeds. I ran speed tests on both the iPhone 16 and 16e at three different locations in New York City, with only one test showing faster speeds with the iPhone 16e.

Apple says the C1 is already the most power-efficient iPhone modem ever.

Apple has repeatedly said the C1 modem is just the start. In a press release this week, focused on U.S. manufacturing commitments, Apple heavily implied that it will release additional devices with custom 5G modems in the future. Those devices could include the iPhone 17 Air, the iPad 11, future Mac and Vision Pro models, and more.

Battery Life

Apple says the iPhone 16e offers the longest battery life of any 6.1-inch iPhone model ever.

Tom's Guide put it to the test:

In running Tom's Guide's battery benchmark test, the iPhone 16e puts up an average time of 12 hours and 41 minutes. That's only a couple of minutes shorter than the iPhone 16's average of 12 hours and 43 minutes. However, the best times recorded on both phones are 12 hours and 49 minutes for the iPhone 16e, and 13 hours and 19 minutes with the iPhone 16.

According to Dave Lee of the YouTube channel Dave2D, the iPhone 16e is equipped with a 3,961 mAh battery. That is an 11% increase in capacity compared to the regular iPhone 16's 3,561 mAh battery.

A18 Chip With 4-Core GPU

In the iPhone 16e, the A18 chip has a 4-core GPU. In the iPhone 16, it has a 5-core GPU.

This is not a massive concern, but it seems to make a difference.

CNET's Patrick Holland:

In benchmark test for graphic performance, you can really see the difference that the iPhone 16's extra GPU core has over the iPhone 16E.

Lack of MagSafe

The lack of MagSafe on the iPhone 16e is surprising and disappointing.

CNET's Patrick Holland:

The iPhone 16E lacks support for MagSafe, the magnetic connection system on the back of the phone, which isn't the end of the world. I imagine that people who don't have an iPhone with MagSafe won't know what they're missing -- notice a theme here? But in a household shared with someone who does have an iPhone with MagSafe as well as charging stands, I could see that being a bit annoying.

Introduced on all iPhone 12 models, the MagSafe system lets you magnetically attach a charger, battery pack, and other accessories to the back of the iPhone. A set of magnets inside the iPhone securely hold these accessories in place.

Apple has not explained why the feature is missing on the iPhone 16e, although it did confirm that the lack of MagSafe is unrelated to the C1 modem.

The only other iPhone model without MagSafe since 2020 was the third-generation iPhone SE, but that devi... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: iPhone 16e Reviews: Is It Worth $599?

 

[Adelphos33]

AT&T is offering this phone for $5.99 a month for 36 months without a trade in, which appears to be a good deal

But it is also offering $1,000 for my iPhone 14 Pro Max in any condition (my phone currently has a broken glass back) in a trade in for the iPhone 16 Pro, which would get me to a similar per month price.

Unfortunately, deals on other phones are just too good to really consider the 16e right now. It should really be free (or something like $200 split over 36 months) with a new contract. I imagine this phone will get to this price eventually.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I read the features of the 16e before purchasing. Barring a hardware defect or failure, I will be fine with the offering.

 

[Lizzard899]

No its not worth $599, maybe $400 but not in the $500 range

 

[Lizzard899]

AT&T is offering this phone for $5.99 a month for 36 months without a trade in, which appears to be a good deal

But it is also offering $1,000 for my iPhone 14 Pro Max in any condition (my phone currently has a broken glass back) in a trade in for the iPhone 16 Pro, which would get me to a similar per month price.

Unfortunately, deals on other phones are just too good to really consider the 16e right now. It should really be free (or something like $200 split over 36 months) with a new contract. I imagine this phone will get to this price eventually.

Yes agreed Id wait for them to reduce the price or maybe I'll wait until they come out with the rumored flip iphone in 2026 or 2027

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Is It Worth $599?​

Not with a pitiful 128 GB of storage.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

AT&T is offering this phone for $5.99 a month for 36 months without a trade in, which appears to be a good deal

Yes yes, very nice. I like my Mint Mobile subscription... can I buy an unlocked iPhone 16e through AT&T for $5.99 per month and use it with my current carrier? If not, Tim Apple has some explaining to do.

 

[liroyleshed]

No its not worth $599, maybe $400 but not in the $500 range

Bingo!

 

[unchecked]

This thing is here just to move old Pro stock. For now it makes the 15 Pro look appealing, when the 17 comes out and the 16 Pro becomes "old" and gets it's price drop, it'll make the 16 Pro look more appealing.

 

[Apple_Robert]

No its not worth $599, maybe $400 but not in the $500 range

The same can be said about any phone (re: price). It is all personally subjective. It means nothing, unless one subscribes to logical fallacy thinking.

 

[Juanchi007]

Is this Apple's first-ever 9 PM (ET) news drop? I've never seen a review embargo end so late in the evening.

 

[scrapesleon]

word on the street nobody cares about that useless device

 

[John_Blackthorne]

A lot of hate for this phone. If it had promotion and a bit of a brighter screen, I’d buy it. I can always get a case that attaches with magnets and I charge overnight, so not a big deal to me.

 

[Apple_Robert]

word on the street nobody cares about that useless device

The phone hasn't been released so, you need to check your word on the street source.

 

[Rogifan]

Is this Apple's first-ever 9 PM (ET) news drop? I've never seen a review embargo end so late in the evening.

Ben Bajarin thinks Apple is targeting China. It’s early morning there right now.

 

[Homme]

is it worth $599

Yes and No

I’d say it’s worth $549 or between $549-569 at most, not $499 as the $499 crowd want (and forget so easily) that the SE3 at 128GB was priced at $479 and they want all the upgrades (which is a lot compared to the old outdated SE3) for $20 more 😂

 

[cosmicc]

I thought this would be the ideal replacement for my ancient iPhone XR, but for the price… I’m not sure. I’ll probably hold off on upgrading.

 

[Rogifan]

MKBHD says he doesn’t know who he would recommend this phone to. That’s how I feel about it. I don’t know who it’s for. On the Upgrade podcast, Casey Liss speculated the target audience might be corporations who offer phones to their employees.

 

[Apple_Robert]

MKBHD says he doesn’t know who he would recommend this phone to. That’s how I feel about it. I don’t know who it’s for. On the Upgrade podcast, Casey Liss speculated the target audience might be corporations who offer phones to their employees.

I think it is for the person who is looking to mainly use the 16e as a phone and not as a camera or computer replacement. Too many on YouTube and here are overthinking the obvious.

 

[TheSl0th]

It’s a shame that Apple seems to have given up on, or lost the ability to be creative with lower tiered products. This parts-bin era gives the feeling of something fundamental being in a rut over there.

The old four quadrant product matrix had something unique in every quadrant. There were things about the ‘consumer’ models that even ‘pros’ might be envious of, like the kind-of-terrible but also hugely fun OG iBook for example.

Even the iPhone 5c had something quite uniquely likeable about it even though it wasn’t for me. And in the parts bin, the OG SE still had something to be envied - it was very different from the iPhone 6s and that was a good thing. Lower end products should have their own charm rather than being obviously degenerate versions of higher end products. I’d wager that absolutely no one will ever say ‘I wish my iPhone 16 was a bit more like a 16e…’. A 16e is just a bad 16 and buyers get to console themselves by looking at their wallets, rather than at the actual devices they purchased.

Maybe they’re too big and valuable for their own good. It’s hard when you’re that big and can’t really manoeuvre in any direction without threatening revenue continuity and supposed perpetual growth. Apple has to outsell itself every quarter, and I’m not sure that’s compatible with doing their very best, or at least most creative work.

 

[ZipZilla]

Corporate sales, subsidized carrier promos, trade-in deals. Apple will sell millions of this. good to see C1 isn't a weak offering

 

[ddhhddhh2]

Even if things don’t go as expected, the lack of MagSafe is nothing but a completely unfunny joke. If that’s the case, why didn’t Apple just stick with the small screen and release it as the SE4? The answer is simple: the SE has long been a strategic product for clearing out inventory, dynamically adjusting component orders and stock from the previous quarter. By design, it’s a highly flexible product.

However, now that MagSafe is almost standard across the entire lineup—even the 12 Mini had it—why is the 16E not offering it? I can’t help but believe that this is an entirely deliberate move to maintain the SE’s status as a scrap-picker for leftover inventory.

Let me translate Apple’s message for you:
"Hello, this is an amazing phone, absolutely fantastic—but I’m not giving you MagSafe."

 

[Jumpthesnark]

The lack of MagSafe on the iPhone 16e is surprising and disappointing.

Which is followed by a review that may register disappointment, but not surprise. 😯

 

[Apple_Robert]

Even if things don’t go as expected, the lack of MagSafe is nothing but a completely unfunny joke. If that’s the case, why didn’t Apple just stick with the small screen and release it as the SE4? The answer is simple: the SE has long been a strategic product for clearing out inventory, dynamically adjusting component orders and stock from the previous quarter. By design, it’s a highly flexible product.

However, now that MagSafe is almost standard across the entire lineup—even the 12 Mini had it—why is the 16E not offering it? I can’t help but believe that this is an entirely deliberate move to maintain the SE’s status as a scrap-picker for leftover inventory.

Let me translate Apple’s message for you:
"Hello, this is an amazing phone, absolutely fantastic—but I’m not giving you MagSafe."

MagSafe is not a requirement to use the phone. It is a convenience many here and elsewhere have convinced themselves is a must, even though they used phones prior to MagSafe being invented. Amazing how what is essential to use gets distorted.

 

[casjohnr]

I suspect part of the pricing reason is so the likes of Amazon can pretty permanently put them on offer at 10% off