Apple’s entry-level iPhone 16e launches this Friday. Forward of time, the primary critiques of the machine have been shared by choose media shops and YouTube channels.
iPhone 16e options embody a 6.1-inch OLED show with a notch, Face ID, an A18 chip, Apple Intelligence assist, a USB-C port, an Motion button, and a single 48-megapixel rear digital camera that provides 2x zoom with optical-like high quality. The machine can also be geared up with the Apple-designed C1 modem for 5G and LTE connectivity.
The facility-efficient C1 modem and a bigger battery contribute to the iPhone 16e providing the longest battery lifetime of any 6.1-inch iPhone mannequin ever, based on Apple. The corporate’s tech specs state that the iPhone 16e presents as much as 26 hours of battery life for offline video playback, in comparison with as much as 22 hours for the common iPhone 16.
Sadly, the iPhone 16e doesn’t assist MagSafe. It additionally lacks an Extremely Wideband chip, which powers the Precision Discovering function within the Discover My app. As well as, the A18 chip within the iPhone 16e has a 4-core GPU, versus a 5-core GPU within the common iPhone 16.
Within the U.S., the iPhone 16e begins at $599. Is it value it? Many reviewers suppose so, however the lack of MagSafe on the machine is stunning and disappointing. There are a number of causes you would possibly wish to contemplate buying a daily iPhone 16 for $799 as a substitute, together with MagSafe, the Dynamic Island, an Extremely Broad digital camera, and Wi-Fi 7 assist as a substitute of Wi-Fi 6, however in any other case the iPhone 16e nonetheless presents many fashionable options at a extra modest value. For the typical buyer, the iPhone 16e is a wonderfully nice selection.
Most of the iPhone 16e’s options already existed, so our evaluate roundup focuses on new and notable elements, together with the C1 modem, battery life, the graphics efficiency of the A18 chip with a lowered 4-core GPU, and the shortage of MagSafe.
Evaluate Highlights
C1 Modem
Apple desires to maneuver away from Qualcomm modems in iPhones, and that transition begins with its custom-designed C1 modem within the iPhone 16e.
The Verge‘s Allison Johnson stated she “did not see any constant distinction in efficiency” between the C1 modem and a daily iPhone 16 with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X71 modem:
A lot of the 16E is acquainted, however there may be one completely new part: Apple’s C1 modem. That is its debut look, and the street to Apple’s first in-house modem was reportedly filled with setbacks and delays. I’ve used it for the previous week to make FaceTime calls, add giant video information in crowded locations, and stream YouTube on the bus. I examined it alongside a daily iPhone 16 geared up with a Qualcomm-made modem — each on Verizon — and I did not see any constant distinction in efficiency between the 2.
Tom’s Information‘s John Velasco did not appear to note any main distinction both:
And at last, you must know that the iPhone 16e is the primary machine in Apple’s portfolio to function the corporate’s in-house C1 modem. It is a departure from the Qualcomm modem that Apple’s relied on for years now, nevertheless it’s troublesome to say if it in the end delivers sooner 5G speeds. I ran velocity exams on each the iPhone 16 and 16e at three completely different places in New York Metropolis, with just one check exhibiting sooner speeds with the iPhone 16e.
Apple says the C1 is already probably the most power-efficient iPhone modem ever.
Apple has repeatedly stated the C1 modem is simply the beginning. In a press launch this week, centered on U.S. manufacturing commitments, Apple closely implied that it’s going to launch further gadgets with {custom} 5G modems sooner or later. These gadgets may embody the iPhone 17 Air, the iPad 11, future Mac and Imaginative and prescient Professional fashions, and extra.
Battery Life
Apple says the iPhone 16e presents the longest battery lifetime of any 6.1-inch iPhone mannequin ever.
Tom’s Information put it to the check:
In working Tom’s Information’s battery benchmark check, the iPhone 16e places up a mean time of 12 hours and 41 minutes. That is solely a few minutes shorter than the iPhone 16’s common of 12 hours and 43 minutes. Nevertheless, one of the best occasions recorded on each telephones are 12 hours and 49 minutes for the iPhone 16e, and 13 hours and 19 minutes with the iPhone 16.
A18 Chip With 4-Core GPU
Within the iPhone 16e, the A18 chip has a 4-core GPU. Within the iPhone 16, it has a 5-core GPU.
This isn’t a large concern, nevertheless it appears to make a distinction.
In benchmark check for graphic efficiency, you’ll be able to actually see the distinction that the iPhone 16’s additional GPU core has over the iPhone 16E.
Lack of MagSafe
The dearth of MagSafe on the iPhone 16e is stunning and disappointing.
The iPhone 16E lacks assist for MagSafe, the magnetic connection system on the again of the cellphone, which is not the finish of the world. I think about that individuals who do not have an iPhone with MagSafe will not know what they’re lacking — discover a theme right here? However in a family shared with somebody who does have an iPhone with MagSafe in addition to charging stands, I may see that being a bit annoying.
Launched on all iPhone 12 fashions, the MagSafe system enables you to magnetically connect a charger, battery pack, and different equipment to the again of the iPhone. A set of magnets contained in the iPhone securely maintain these equipment in place.
Apple has not defined why the function is lacking on the iPhone 16e, though it did verify that the shortage of MagSafe is unrelated to the C1 modem.
The one different iPhone mannequin with out MagSafe since 2020 was the third-generation iPhone SE, however that machine had an older design primarily based on the iPhone 8.
Apple’s announcement video for the iPhone 16e stated the machine contains a new inside design that allowed for a bigger battery. Maybe these inside modifications resulted in an absence of MagSafe, however that is simply one other unconfirmed idea for now.
Apple has not launched any MagSafe circumstances for the iPhone 16e, however third-party circumstances are already beginning to roll out. These circumstances at the least permit you to use the iPhone 16e with MagSafe equipment, however word that the machine is restricted to slower 7.5W wi-fi charging speeds with peculiar Qi chargers, whereas different iPhone 16 fashions can wirelessly cost at as much as 25W with the latest model of Apple’s MagSafe Charger.
