Overall Rating 4/5
Price Starts From ₹ 59,900/-
PROS 👍
- Excellent battery life
- Strong performance
- Long software support
CONS 👎
- Outdated notch design
- No ultra-wide lens
The highly anticipated budget iPhone has finally arrived. This new model, the iPhone 16e, is the most affordable option in the iPhone 16 lineup and replaces the iPhone SE3. Priced at ₹59900, the iPhone 16e offers many of the standard features found in the iPhone 16 series, although some compromises may not appeal to all users. Is this the ideal budget iPhone you’ve been searching for? Let’s find out.
Detailed Review of Apple iPhone 16e
Design and Build
The iPhone 16e sports a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 2532 x 1170 pixels resolution, delivering vibrant colours and deep contrasts that make it a pleasure for media consumption. Unlike its pricier siblings in the iPhone 16 lineup, it retains the notch design to house the TrueDepth camera and Face ID components, lacking the sleeker Dynamic Island. While functional, the notch feels somewhat dated in 2025 compared to the more modern aesthetics of higher-end models.
The phone’s build quality is robust, featuring an aluminium frame and a glass back. At 167 grams, it’s slightly lighter than the standard iPhone 16. However, it lacks premium features like MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging, which are reserved for more expensive models. Instead, it offers standard wireless charging up to 7.5W via Qi. The iPhone 16e is available in only two colour options – black and white. It boasts an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, ensuring durability.
A notable design inclusion is the Action button, which is customizable for quick access to features like the camera or flashlight. However, it misses out on the Camera Control button found on other iPhone 16 models. While the design is practical and sturdy, the absence of elements like Dynamic Island or MagSafe highlights its budget positioning.
Apple iPhone 16e: Performance
Under the hood, the iPhone 16e is powered by the A18 chip, a slightly toned-down version of the processor found in the standard iPhone 16. It features a four-core GPU (versus the five-core GPU in the standard model), which results in a slight dip in graphics performance. Nonetheless, the phone excels at everyday tasks, such as smooth scrolling, multitasking, and efficiently handling demanding games. The performance is exceptional for its ₹59900 price tag and outpaces many competitors.
The iPhone 16e also supports Apple Intelligence, bringing AI-driven features like Genmoji, Writing Tools, and Image Playground. While these features run smoothly, they may process slightly slower than on higher-end models due to the reduced GPU cores. Running iOS 18, the phone offers a highly customizable interface and Apple’s promise of at least four to five years of software updates, ensuring long-term relevance.
Camera
The iPhone 16e has a single 48MP Fusion camera, a significant upgrade from the 12MP sensor found in the previous iPhone SE. However, having only one camera in 2025 seems surprising. This camera combines 48MP full-resolution shots with 12MP binned images to produce detailed 24MP photos with excellent clarity and dynamic range. It also offers a 2x optical zoom by cropping the sensor, providing decent versatility for a single-lens setup. Advanced features like Night Mode, Deep Fusion, and Photographic Styles enhance its capabilities, making it a strong performer in various lighting conditions.
However, the lack of an ultra-wide lens on the iPhone 16e limits its appeal for capturing wide landscapes or group shots. Similarly, it misses premium features like Cinematic mode and macro photography. The 12MP front-facing camera is reliable for selfies and video calls, delivering solid results. The camera system is impressive for an iPhone 16e, though users needing more versatility may find its single-lens setup restrictive.
Apple iPhone 16e: Battery
Battery life is where the iPhone 16e truly shines. Apple claims it offers the best battery life of any iPhone with a 6.1-inch screen, and the numbers back it up: up to 26 hours of video playback and 21 hours of streamed video. This is better than the standard iPhone 16, which maxes out at 22 hours of video playback. The efficiency comes from the bigger battery and the new Apple C1 modem, which optimizes power usage while delivering competitive 5G and voice performance.
During our standard 4K movie test, we tested the smartphone’s battery performance by watching a high-resolution 4K video for a continuous 30 minutes. We observed that the battery percentage decreased by only 6%. This indicates that the iPhone 16e can play an entire feature-length film without significantly draining its battery, making it a reliable option for users who enjoy streaming media while on the go.
Although the phone does not feature MagSafe technology, it is equipped to support standard wireless charging up to a maximum output of 7.5W via the Qi wireless charging standard. In addition to wireless charging capabilities, the device also offers fast wired charging, enabling users to reach a 50% battery charge in just 40 minutes when using a compatible charger.
Verdict
The Apple iPhone 16e is a great affordable option at ₹59900, offering impressive battery life, solid performance, and a 48MP camera, along with years of software updates. While its dated notch design, lack of an ultra-wide camera, and absence of MagSafe may disappoint some, it’s perfect for budget-conscious buyers who value core features. For those needing advanced photography or faster 5G speeds, the standard iPhone 16, priced approximately ₹20000 higher, may be a better choice.
Key Specification
| Display: | 6.1-inches Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Camera: | 48MP OIS |
| RAM: | 8GB |
| Processor: | Apple A18 |
| Battery: | 4005mAh |
| OS: | iOS 18.3.1 |
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