iPhone 16e Post your iPhone 16e impressions, pictures, etc!

[digimc]

I will say that the battery life has been the most pleasant surprise so far. When I received my 16E the battery was at 86% straight out of the box. I received my iPhone at around 6PM/E on Friday. I have used it just like I would have used my old iPhone 12PM, watching a few videos, surfing the web, texting people, checking emails and the occasional phone call here and there, and I just reached 'low battery' at 20% about hour ago and have not yet had to charge the iPhone.

This obviously isn't scientific or anything, but a noticeable improvement over my older iPhone.

 

[Iwavvns]

Also, interesting to note, according to the battery health display in settings, my phone was manufactured in November, 2024; so Apple has been keeping these units ready to roll at a moments notice. Also, enjoying the default wallpaper for a bit.

View attachment 2486940

Doesn't that date actually mean that the battery was manufactured in November 2024? I think that screen would be the wrong place to list the manufacturer date of the phone itself.

 

[deaglecat]

Got mine with a Winter Blue Apple Silicone Case. Love it! Happy to have a real White iPhone again, with the aluminum sides it's so classic!

View attachment 2486904

So clean. Nice colour combo.

 

[RRC]

What case do you use on the 16e, mate?

I have a Torro leather case arriving tomorrow for it, the line from silicone just annoys me lol.

 

[killr_b]

16e is great so far! Very light feeling, the cameras are good, the hand feel of the edges and back glass is very nice, the buttons are very clicky, and when you put it in the Apple case it lays flat on the table. I got black.

The rear camera is larger than the XR so it does rock if you press the left side without a case. The pictures are better than I expected. Especially in situations like where you are taking a picture of someone in the shade with bright sunlight illuminating the scene behind them.

If Apple didn't make a one camera phone, the two cameras I would want are normal and telephoto. Ultra wide is like the most useless imo, so the normal iPhone 16 is just not anything I want.

Fast charging is fast. Like 30 minutes from 5% to 50%, or from 40% to 80%.

The speakers are loud. I didn't expect that. Were other phones this loud?

I don't know what else to say. It's like the classic iPhone but updated. I'll probably get into the AI stuff later.

My battery said made in December and arrived 92% charged.

 

[goldmac2006]

I have a Torro leather case arriving tomorrow for it, the line from silicone just annoys me lol.

MagSafe in the case? I’ve heard this brand is good. Is it better than Nomad or Luckycoin? I’m not getting a bull strap because the leather is high quality, but it’s way more expensive than Apple’s former leather cases.

 

[marklcfc]

anyone know if iPhone 14 cases fit 16e

 

[killr_b]

anyone know if iPhone 14 cases fit 16e

They are exactly the same size. Should work.

 

[goldmac2006]

anyone know if iPhone 14 cases fit 16e

It depends on the specific case, but it’s unlikely because the 16e’s single camera is unusually large and might be larger than the iPhone 13-15 camera. It can block out part of the camera and the flash. The form factor is similar, but the button/silent switch opening might be incorrect since the 16e has an action button. This would create a hole in the area where the action button would normally be located. If you have an iPhone 13-15 case, you can test it out on a real iPhone 16e if you manage to get your hands on one.

For example, consider a green iPhone 14 Pro case on an iPhone 15 Pro. This case demonstrates the difference in button placement between a non-Action button iPhone case and an iPhone with an Action button. Zoom in on the volume button areas.

 

[RRC]

MagSafe in the case? I’ve heard this brand is good. Is it better than Nomad or Luckycoin? I’m not getting a bull strap because the leather is high quality, but it’s way more expensive than Apple’s former leather cases.

Yeah it’s built in to the case I’ve had Torro cases in the past and they’re up there with anything else quality wise yet very affordable to buy. Full grain leather, perfect fit, choice of smooth leather (brown) or the textured leather (black). Metal buttons and camera surround as well. Feels very much like the old Apple leather cases in hand.

The 14 cases from most manufacturers do fit, however the camera surround is far too big so they look a bit silly. In fact there are companies listing old 14 cases as 16e compatible and it’s a cheap trick to sell their very old stock as “new”, I certainly wouldn’t bother!

As mentioned, the action button doesn’t quite align with the hole for the mute toggle and pressing it becomes near impossible using some of the older cases.

 

[jntdroid]

anyone know if iPhone 14 cases fit 16e

I have a Spigen Liquid Armor case for an iPhone 13 on my 16e right now and it fits fine (back camera opening is too big obviously). The mute switch hole is a little off but I can still tap the action button without issue. Waiting on my 16e case.

 

[jntdroid]

Enjoying the 16e so far. Love the feel of it. Definitely has a lighter and more balanced feel (comparing to a 15 Pro). Love the lack of a mass protrusion on the back as well.

Anecdotally the battery life has been great, stronger than the 15 or 15 Pro I had.

MagSafe is a non-issue for me. Don’t get me wrong, I use it - but mostly with holders and not chargers. So a case with MagSafe is my solution.

I do miss ProMotion right now, I’m a person that definitely notices and feels that. But I also know from switching back and forth in the past that after a week or two I’ll no longer notice and be used to 60hz again (so many people knee-jerk react without giving themselves enough time to adapt!).

Traded in an old SE I almost forgot I had so I got it for 500 instead of 600 which helps as well.

Hard to gauge C1 performance so far. It’s been fine, but I spend most of my time in strong 5G areas on AT&T.

Admittedly, I’m a person that’s attracted to the under-the-radar pragmatic workhorse in most areas of life, so the 16e is automatically appealing to me.

 

[goldmac2006]

Yeah it’s built in to the case I’ve had Torro cases in the past and they’re up there with anything else quality wise yet very affordable to buy. Full grain leather, perfect fit, choice of smooth leather (brown) or the textured leather (black). Metal buttons and camera surround as well. Feels very much like the old Apple leather cases in hand.

The 14 cases from most manufacturers do fit, however the camera surround is far too big so they look a bit silly. In fact there are companies listing old 14 cases as 16e compatible and it’s a cheap trick to sell their very old stock as “new”, I certainly wouldn’t bother!

As mentioned, the action button doesn’t quite align with the hole for the mute toggle and pressing it becomes near impossible using some of the older cases.

Yes, it will appear awkward to use a 13/14/15 iPhone case on a 16e because the camera hole and silent switch hole won’t look good unless you don’t mind using it and it fits properly. Read my explanation above to that person’s question about backward compatibility.

As an iPhone 15 Pro user, I own two cases specifically designed for my iPhone and a 14 Pro case in a nice lake green color with a clear back. I might put it in again later today. That case didn’t have a 15 Pro version on sale, so I bought it from the shops for $5 on clearance or 4 quid. 💷 It’s not too loose, and the camera hole matches up perfectly. However, I don’t mind the silent switch hole exposing the action button because it prevents me from confusing the volume buttons with the action button, and I can still press into it. The buttons line up perfectly, and the MagSafe works fine.

 

[killr_b]

It depends on the specific case, but it’s unlikely because the 16e’s single camera is unusually large and might be larger than the iPhone 13-15 camera. It can block out part of the camera and the flash. The form factor is similar, but the button/silent switch opening might be incorrect since the 16e has an action button. This would create a hole in the area where the action button would normally be located. If you have an iPhone 13-15 case, you can test it out on a real iPhone 16e if you manage to get your hands on one.

For example, consider a green iPhone 14 Pro case on an iPhone 15 Pro. This case demonstrates the difference in button placement between a non-Action button iPhone case and an iPhone with an Action button. Zoom in on the volume button areas.

View attachment 2487660

The camera is the same size. The metal ring is slimer and the lens is larger. The cutout will be oversized but it won't matter.

 

[goldmac2006]

The camera is the same size. The metal ring is slimer and the lens is larger. The cutout will be oversized but it won't matter.

Will the flash be blocked by the case?

Also, since the camera holes on the iPhone 13 Pro cases are larger, can you share your opinion on whether iPhone 13 Pro cases on 16e will not block the flash? Just curious.

 

[killr_b]

Will the flash be blocked by the case?

Also, since the camera holes on the iPhone 13 Pro cases are larger, can you share your opinion on whether iPhone 13 Pro cases on 16e will not block the flash? Just curious.

I can compare to a 14; the led flash on the 16e is smaller and not too far to the right. Seems ok. Using photoshop, it looks like the 13 pro cutout extends exactly the same amount to the right as the 16e case, so there is plenty of room.

 

[goldmac2006]

I can compare to a 14; the led flash on the 16e is smaller and not too far to the right. Seems ok. Using photoshop, it looks like the 13 pro cutout extends exactly the same amount to the right as the 16e case, so there is plenty of room.

Great hypothesis that theoretically explains how these cases might be backward compatible.

I plan to bring along one of my 14 or 15 Pro cases to test it out next weekend or two during my next visit to an Apple Store, once the weather improves and I have something to do near the store, like grabbing a coffee at Dunkin’.

Could you also share a PSD or image file of the mockup of iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13-15 cases, and how they fit in iPhone 16e? It might take some time to see CAD models or designs in the official Apple accessory guideline manuals.

Wishing you well.

 

[Parowdy]

Also, interesting to note, according to the battery health display in settings, my phone was manufactured in November, 2024; so Apple has been keeping these units ready to roll at a moments notice. Also, enjoying the default wallpaper for a bit.

View attachment 2486940View attachment 2486941View attachment 2486945

That, I think, only applies to the battery. That was manufactured in battery settings. Maybe I’m wrong but IF Apple really chose to display information like this, maybe it wouldn’t be in the battery section if it wasn’t about the battery, you know.

Also, welcome to USB C! How is it coming from lightning? I’ve upgraded from an 11 Pro (2019) to a 15 Pro last year and am so glad to be among the common folk now regarding charging cables.

 

[Parowdy]

Looks great. After owning a black / space grey / space black iPhone since 2009, I too have a yearning to go to the white / silver side.

Agreed. My first and last black iPhone was the X and not by choice. I always wanted a black Home Button iPhone because they looked cleaner, but since the „all screen“ design light colors make it easier to adore the design/not make the bezels look even thicker.

 

[Parowdy]

Got the 16e in black, love the weight, the look, the size, and how familiar everything feels. Battery life seems very good (although it's only been 24 hours!) I will miss Magsafe but that will be remedied with a cheap $10 Magsafe case which I hope arrives today. Only disappointment is the screen brightness: compared to a friend's 16 Pro Max, it's noticably dimmer. Specs say 800 nits screen brightness (for regular non HDR use), which is comparable to the Pro series from a few years back, but it just doesn't pop like the newer better phones (I think all the 16 series except the 16e have 1,000 nits max as their typical non HDR use). All in all so far very pleased!

What phone did you upgrade from?

 

[Parowdy]

I sold my 15 Pro a year after I bought it for almost full retail to someone who was desperate for that exact spec as it still had 100% battery health so I decided to try something different, then realised I just simply prefer iPhones.

I never made use of the pro features, and only really use my phone for social media, everyday photos which 90% of them were taken on the main lens and I just wanted something new with good battery life that would last me a few years. Oh and I didn’t want it any bigger than 6.1”

The Pixel I had was the 9 Pro, superb device it just simply wasn’t for me - plus I missed my AW Ultra which thankfully I kept.

It’s running iOS 18.3.1 after an immediate update out the box.

I’m curious what you think about going back to 60hz and a display with with a lower max brightness.

 

[RRC]

I’m curious what you think about going back to 60hz and a display with with a lower max brightness.

Going back to 60hz isn't really an issue, a few days and you're adjusted back. I spent more years looking at 60hz than I ever have 120hz/variable.

Lower max brightness is fine too, would it be nice? Sure, but is it so low that the phone cannot be used outdoors? No.

 

[jntdroid]

I have a Torro leather case arriving tomorrow for it, the line from silicone just annoys me lol.

For some reason I'm having a hard time finding that - can you link to that please? That's a great looking case.

 

[RRC]

For some reason I'm having a hard time finding that - can you link to that please? That's a great looking case.

Sure, the UK & worldwide website...

iPhone 16e Cases | Premium Protection

Our iPhone 16e cases are handcrafted from premium top-grain leather and the precision fit design ensures maximum protection and functionality.

torro.co.uk

Or for the US website...

Apple iPhone 16e Cases - Premium US Leather

Discover premium leather iPhone 16e cases, handcrafted from top-grain leather for elegance, durability, and a perfect fit with full protection and access.

torrousa.com

 

[menist]

Got my hands on a 16e, so far its a battery champ for such a small form. Got over 11 hours of screen on time (Sat 6:42pm to Mon 8:19am) on the first charge, with my usage. It has the same iOS experience, yes its missing MagSafe but you can easily add it back with a case.

If you can find this phone on a deal, or values endurance/battery life, its a great buy imo.