Apple iPhone 16e Review: e = Simple 255 Comments
The iPhone 16e is the easiest and cheapest way to get a current iPhone. Upgrading from an older model is also easy. The iPhone 16e is simply no longer an SE, and in some areas, Apple has made it a little too easy for the new model. The iPhone 16e Review. Table of Contents 1 E = iPhone 16e costs 250 euros less than iPhone 16. Technical data of all iPhone models up to the iPhone X. Finally, no iPhone 6 design is more important for display performance. 2 A18, Apple C1 and Camera. Apple’s A18 in the C1 benchmark is Apple’s first Wi-Fi 6 modem and Bluetooth 5.3, but no UWB. A good camera should be sufficient. 3-year battery, MagSafe and Fachitie Gree Battion than in the iPhone 16. Without MagSafe. Conclusion
iPhone 16e costs 250 euros less than iPhone 16
Apple has been offering the iPhone 16E in Germany at a price of 699 euros (RRP) since February 28. It therefore costs 250 euros less than the iPhone 16 (test) and 180 euros less than the last iPhone SE more than three years ago. In the price comparison, the iPhone 16E currently costs €665, while the regular iPhone 16 costs €795. The new base model, on all sales routes, is offered exclusively in white, as with the review unit, and in black. The new silicone covers bring a little more color into play for €45 each.
Technical data for all iPhone models up to the iPhone X
Finally, no more iPhone 6 design
The iPhone 16E is the new base model in the iPhone 16 family. It’s not a successor to the iPhone SE, which was recently updated three years ago. The price and design speak against it. Apple took it easy this time and adopted the chassis of the iPhone 14 with only a few changes, which has exactly the same dimensions. Apple has promoted the smartphone visually to a completely different dimension, a far cry from the old iPhone SE, which stuck to the design of the iPhone 6 from 2014 until the end, including a wide bar above and below the display and with Touch ID. Notch and Face ID, which is completely convincing in everyday life. More modern, but not smaller
At 71.5 × 146.7 × 7.80 mm, the iPhone 16E is a compact smartphone, and it was noticeably easier to use in the test than the iPhone 16 Pro Max (review). All current iPhone models without “Max” in the name are almost the same size, so the supposed size advantage of the iPhone 16E applies to many other models as well. Apple’s new addition doesn’t match the 67.3 × 138.4 × 7.30 mm iPhone SE, and certainly not the iPhone 13 Mini (review), which measures 64.2 × 131.5 × 7.65 mm. The iPhone 16E isn’t the new small iPhone. However, the flat structure of the single camera, which almost disappears into the housing, is a positive. Strong contrast, especially on the iPhone 16 Pro (max).
The OLED display is nearly 1,200 cd/m² in HDR
The OLED display is nearly 1,200 cd/m², a bright image, 1 in 5 in HDR
The newcomer also received the freely assignable action button, although it didn’t yet exist in the iPhone 14 and 15. The camera control, on the other hand, is reserved for the four iPhone 16 models from last fall. After several months with the iPhone 16 Pro Max with this button, this is a timely decision on Apple’s part, especially since the iPhone 16E with a single camera performs very well without it.
Clear display upgrade
A significant display upgrade goes hand in hand with the modern design. Gone are the days of LCD, now also an OLED panel with self-illuminating pixels. Since you have a bit to do with the iPhone 14 in this regard, a slightly wider panel border must be accepted; the distance from the iPhone SE, with its tiny 4.7 inches and a thumb-width edge, is still gigantic. The iPhone 16 Pro (Max) has slightly thinner bezels. iPhone 16e with 6.1 inches vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max with 6.9 inches
iPhone 16e with 6.1 inches vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max with 6.9 inches, image 1 of 4
Perfect Ex calibration works
1200 cd/m² for HDR content
Apple advertises the “Super Retina XDR display” with a brightness of 800 cd/m² and a brightness of 1,200 cd/m² for HDR content. Both are realistic figures, as the measured values show. 800 cd/m² can be achieved with manual brightness, but for HDR content with 1,200 cd/m², you have to switch to automatic mode. Overall, both are (still) good values, but no real highlight for the iPhone 16E.
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A18 Performance, Apple C1, and Camera Topics: Apple
Apple Smartphones iPhone iOS Silicon Image Overview

Sarah tracks innovations in smartphones, evaluating their performance, design, and key features.