iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Full Comparison, Specs, and Which One to Buy
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Which Should You Choose?
Apple’s 2025 lineup features two intriguing options: the flagship iPhone 16 and the more affordable iPhone 16e. Although Apple’s distinctive ecosystem is shared by both models, their target markets are distinct. To assist you in making a decision, let’s examine their features, specifications, and worth and bring the iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16 debate to an end.
Design and Build Affordable vs Premium
iPhone 16e:
- Material: Aluminum frame with Matte back glass
- Colors: Matte Black, White.
- Weight: 167g (lighter)
- Water Resistance: IP68
iPhone 16:
- Material: Aluminum frame with Matte back glass.
- Colors: Black, White.
- Weight: 170g.
- Water Resistance: IP68 (6m for 30 mins).
Display: OLED vs Slightly Brighter OLED
| Feature | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Resolution | 2532×1170-pixels | 2556×1179 pixels |
| Brightness | 1200 nits (typical) | 2000 nits (HDR peak) |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e feature two very colorful and typical iPhone displays, however the iPhone 16 display is a lot brighter hence might be put to better use in direct sunlight, while the 16e offers a slightly dim display which may be a little hard to see in sunlight.
Performance: A18 vs A18 Bionic Chip
- iPhone 16e:
- Chip: Apple A18 Bionic built for Apple Intelligence.
- RAM: 6GB.
- Storage: Starts at 128GB.
- iPhone 16:
- Chip: Apple A18 Bionic built for Apple Intelligence
- RAM: 8GB.
- Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB.
Verdict: Both the phones feature the same chip more or less, the A18 bionic in iPhone 16 and 16e might sound same but is slightly different, as the chip featured in the 16e has 1 less GPU core which may not even matter in most use cases.
Camera: Single vs Dual Lenses
iPhone 16e:
- Main Camera: 48MP wide Single lens.
- Selfie: 12MP.
iPhone 16:
- Dual Cameras: 48MP wide + 48MP ultra-wide.
- Selfie: 12MP
Photo Comparison: The main cameras of each phone clicks equally good photos, each phone features the typical iPhone photo and video quality. The presence of an Ultra-Wide lens in the iPhone 16 may or may not be important as per your use case.
Battery Life & Charging
| Metric | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 4000mAh | 3561mAh |
| Video Playback | 26 hours | 22 hours |
| Fast Charging | 20W (50% in 30 mins) | 30W (50% in 20 mins) |
| Wireless Charging | Yes (No MagSafe) | Yes (15W MagSafe) |
Price & Availability
| Model | Starting Price | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16e | $599 (128GB) | March 2025 |
| iPhone 16 | $899 (128GB) | September 2024 |
Best For:
- iPhone 16e: Budget buyers, students, new iPhone users.
- iPhone 16: Tech enthusiasts, Nature photographers, professionals.
Conclusion: Which iPhone 16 Model Wins?
- Choose iPhone 16e if you want core iOS features at a lower cost, and are new to the iOS world.
- Choose iPhone 16 for flagship performance, a superior camera, and a super bright display.
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