iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Which Apple smartphone should you buy in 2025? Features and pricing comparison

Apple has introduced a new budget-friendly model in its latest lineup – the iPhone 16e. While many were expecting the iPhone SE 4, Apple surprised everyone with the iPhone 16e, making it the most affordable option in the iPhone 16 series. However, it’s still not a budget phone in the traditional sense, as it starts at Rs 59,900 in India ($599 in the US), compared to the iPhone 16’s starting price of Rs 79,900 ($799). The iPhone 16e offers many of the same features as its flagship counterpart but with some notable differences. Let’s take a closer look at how these two devices compare.

Design and Display

The iPhone 16e borrows its chassis from the iPhone 14 but features the Action Button, which was first introduced in the iPhone 15 Pro models. In contrast, the iPhone 16 comes with a refined design and maintains the Action Button along with a new Camera Control button.

When it comes to the display, both phones feature a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with a 460 ppi resolution. However, the iPhone 16 offers a brighter display, reaching 1000 nits (1600 nits HDR, 2000 nits peak outdoor brightness), whereas the iPhone 16e maxes out at 800 nits (1200 nits HDR). Another key difference is that the iPhone 16 features the Dynamic Island, while the iPhone 16e retains the older notch design.

Performance and Battery Life

Both devices are powered by Apple’s A18 chip with a 6-core CPU, but the iPhone 16 gets a slight edge with a 5-core GPU, compared to the 16e’s 4-core GPU. In most everyday tasks, this difference is unlikely to be noticeable unless you’re running graphics-intensive applications.

Interestingly, the iPhone 16e has better battery life, lasting up to 26 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 16 lasts 22 hours. This is due to the power efficiency of the new C1 modem, which Apple designed in-house for improved 5G connectivity.

Camera Capabilities

Both the iPhone 16e and iPhone 16 feature a 48MP main camera, but the iPhone 16 has an additional 12MP Ultra Wide lens, which allows for wider shots and advanced computational photography features. The iPhone 16e, on the other hand, relies on a 2x Telephoto feature integrated into its main camera to provide optical-quality zoom. The iPhone 16 also includes next-gen Portrait mode with Focus and Depth Control, Spatial Photos, and Macro Photography.

Color Options and Price Comparison

The iPhone 16 is available in five colors: Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, and Black, whereas the iPhone 16e is only offered in Black and White. Storage options for both phones start at 128GB, but the iPhone 16 offers higher-tier options, going up to 512GB, while the 16e is capped at 256GB.If you’re looking for an affordable iPhone with the latest Apple features, the iPhone 16e is a solid choice. It offers similar performance to the iPhone 16 while delivering better battery life. However, if you prioritize camera quality, brightness, and premium features like the Dynamic Island, the iPhone 16 is worth the extra Rs 20,000 ($200). If your budget allows, opting for the iPhone 16 ensures a more versatile photography experience and an overall better display.