Is the iPhone 16e Worth Buying at $599?

TL;DR

The iPhone 16e is difficult to recommend at $599 because its missing features make refurbished models like the iPhone 15 Pro more appealing. It combines an A18 chip, 48-megapixel camera, 6.1-inch OLED screen, Face ID, and Action Button with a 60-hertz display, no MagSafe, and 7.5-watt Qi charging. Read on to see where Apple cut features and whether its modern design and efficiency justify the price.

Transcript

(soft mischievous music) - Hi, welcome to Honesty Wireless, the world's most honest salesman here. How can I help you today? - Hi. Yeah, so I'd like a cheap new iPhone, please. - Cool. So unfortunately, the iPhone SEs are out of style, but we do have iPhone 14s. I think that'll be perfect for you every time. I'll get you started with that. - Actual... Read More

Key Insights

• The iPhone 16e is priced at $599, making it the cheapest new iPhone but not truly budget-friendly.
• The 16e features Apple's new C1 modem, aiming for efficiency and better battery life.
• The phone lacks MagSafe and offers only slow Qi wireless charging at 7.5 watts.
• It has a single 48-megapixel camera with a smaller sensor, affecting low-light performance.
• The phone's design includes a 6.1-inch screen with a notch and Face ID, similar to the iPhone 14.
• The iPhone 16e lacks Wi-Fi 6E and ultrawide band support, limiting future-proofing.
• Apple's price ladder strategy encourages users to consider the iPhone 16 for a small price increase.
• The phone's price does not match its features, making refurbished older models like the iPhone 15 Pro more appealing.

Questions & Answers

Q: Is the iPhone 16e worth buying at $599?

The reviewer does not recommend the iPhone 16e at its $599 starting price. Although it is the cheapest new iPhone and includes modern features, its 60-hertz display, lack of MagSafe, and single-camera system make a refurbished iPhone 15 Pro more appealing.

Q: What are the main drawbacks of the iPhone 16e?

The iPhone 16e starts at $599 but lacks MagSafe, Wi-Fi 6E, ultrawide band support, and a multi-camera system. It also has a 60-hertz display, only black or white color options, and slow Qi wireless charging that maxes out at 7.5 watts.

Q: What design and display does the iPhone 16e have?

The iPhone 16e largely uses the iPhone 14 body, with an aluminum build, flat sides, USB Type-C, and IP68 water resistance. Its front has a 6.1-inch screen with a notch and Face ID, while the display remains at 60 hertz and can be less visible in direct sunlight.

Q: Does the iPhone 16e support MagSafe?

No, the iPhone 16e does not support MagSafe. It uses first-generation Qi wireless charging at up to 7.5 watts, and the absence of alignment magnets can make charging painfully slow when the phone is positioned slightly off-center.

Q: How capable is the iPhone 16e camera?

The iPhone 16e has one 48-megapixel rear camera rather than a multi-camera system. Its smaller sensor affects low-light performance and natural bokeh, and it lacks features such as cinematic mode and spatial video.

Q: What chip does the iPhone 16e use?

The iPhone 16e uses the A18 chip from the iPhone 16 family, but its version has one fewer GPU core. The reviewer describes this as a minor cut that users may notice only during intense gaming in the relatively few games that heavily tax the GPU.

Q: What is the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e?

The C1 is Apple’s in-house-designed cellular modem in the iPhone 16e, supporting 4G, 5G, GPS, and satellite connectivity. It focuses on efficiency and improved battery life, though it does not support millimeter-wave 5G.

Q: Who should upgrade to the iPhone 16e?

The iPhone 16e can be a meaningful modernization for someone moving from a much older phone, with its Face ID, OLED screen, Action Button, A18 chip, and newer design. However, the reviewer could not identify a buyer for whom it was the clear recommendation at $599, especially when refurbished options like the iPhone 15 Pro may offer better value.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The iPhone 16e is Apple's latest entry-level phone, priced at $599, but it doesn't fit the budget category anymore. It lacks features like MagSafe and a multi-camera system, making it hard to recommend over older models like the iPhone 15 Pro, which offers better value for a similar price.

• Apple's new C1 modem in the iPhone 16e aims for efficiency and improved battery life. However, the phone lacks Wi-Fi 6E and ultrawide band support, limiting its future-proofing capabilities. Despite its modern design, the phone's high price is its main drawback.

• The iPhone 16e's single 48-megapixel camera has a smaller sensor, affecting low-light performance. The phone's design is similar to the iPhone 14, with a 6.1-inch screen and Face ID. Apple's price ladder strategy encourages users to opt for the iPhone 16 instead.