Apple has announced its latest ‘ budget ’ iPhone , replacing the ageing iPhone SE and the iPhone 14 with the brand newiPhone 16e . This shoot a line a figure more like the iPhone 14 than the iPhone SE , and mod ironware that could show alluring for those with an older good example that are thinking of upgrading .
We look at how this late addition to the Apple catalog liken to theiPhone 14so see whether you should finally trade in that handset if your declaration is winding down and if the iPhone 16e might be a suitable choice as a successor .
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 14: Design & Build
While the iPhone 16e is quite a different front gadget to theiPhone SE , there ’s very little to differentiate it from the iPhone 14 , which itself gestate a strikingly familiar artistic to theiPhone 12introduced back in October 2020 . That means you get bland border around the frame , an aluminium chassis with a glass back , all of which holds a 6.1 - inch display replete with the old snick ( no active Islands here ) .
useable in dark or white , the iPhone 16e .
Malus pumila
Available in black or white, the iPhone 16e.
dimension are identical to the iPhone 14 , at 146.7 mm ( 5.78 - inch ) x 71.5 mm ( 2.82 - inch ) x 7.8 mm ( 0.31 - inch ) ; but the newer gimmick has lost some of the weighting , coming in at 167 universal gravitational constant which is 5 g easy than the iPhone 14 .
There are a few speck that this is an updated model though , as Apple has switch ( due to EU law ) to USB - C for the charging port , while the iPhone 14 uses a Lightning connecter . These are flank by the same stereo speaker unit arrangements on either machine . The 16e also interchange the mute switch on its honest-to-goodness sibling with the Action button that was introduced on theiPhone 15 ProandiPhone 15 Pro Max(so is missing from the iPhone 15 ) . This provide you to assign consecrate functions to the button ( say , launching the camera or rick on a flashlight ) to preserve you have to open a menu or app .
Macwelt / Apple
The most obvious difference is find on the rear , where the dual camera module on the iPhone 14 is replaced with a solitary lens on the 16e . Apple does commonwealth that this is a 2 - in-1 Fusion camera , though , so the performance dispute is not as arrant as it my first seem . We ’ll discuss the advantages of the Fusion tv camera in more detail below .
Colors have been simplify to just Black or White on the 16e , whereas the iPhone 14 boasted six dissimilar hue when it plunge , including ( PRODUCT ) RED , Starlight , Midnight , Yellow , Purple , and Blue . If you want playfulness color you could , of form , just stick it in a case . See our round of drinks up of thebest cases for the iPhone 16 serial .
Both devices come with IP68 water and dust immunity , so they should live a quick dip or a trip to the beach .
Available in black or white, the iPhone 16e.
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 14: Display
It seems that the panel in the new iPhone 16e is exactly the same as the one used on the iPhone 14 . So , you get a 6.1 - inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a Ceramic Shield front , 2532×1170 resolution ( 460ppi ) , 2,000,000:1 contrast proportion , HDR , True Tone , all-encompassing colour ( P3 ) , and Haptic Touch . Illumination levels are also unsurprisingly the same at 800 nit maximum brightness ( distinctive ) or 1,200 nit of HDR bloom brightness .
Foundry
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 14: Processors and Storage
One of the most significant climb Apple bestows upon the iPhone 16e is the processor . The novel twist comes equipped with an A18 micro chip , decked out with a 6 - core CPU , 4 - center GPU , and 16 - core Neural Engine . That ’s a big gradation up from the A15 Bionic in the iPhone 14 , albeit with the one notable departure in that the A15 has a 5 - core GPU ( as does the A18 scrap in the iPhone 16 ) .
The big benefit of this processor update is the fact that this processor intend that the iPhone 16e can support the new Apple Intelligence feature , unlike both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 ( the latter on sales agreement for $ 100 more , see : Why I ca n’t recommend the iPhone 15 to anyone ) . Apple Intelligence is Apple ’s name for the AI powered feature that admit writing tools , image generation , ChatGPT integration , Siri improvements and more . There are likely to be even more Apple Intelligence feature come iniOS 19later in 2025 .
With the new atomic number 14 being three genesis on from the A15 Bionic , it ’s dependable to say that it should be more herculean and energy efficient . This does seem to be the caseful in terms of battery life , but we ’ll get to that a small later .
When we reviewed theiPhone 16(with it ’s A18 chip ) , we notice performance betterment of around 30 % over the A16 chip in theiPhone 15 . So , even though the version in the iPhone 16e lacks that additional GPU nub , you should still see functioning growth over the A15 Bionic in the iPhone 14 .
computer storage alternative remain the same as on the iPhone 14 , with alternative of 128 GB , 256 Gi or 512 GB capacity . There is , thankfully , no 64 GB version . There was a 64 GB iPhone SE , which is the modelling that be $ 429 . The 128 GB iPhone SE was $ 479 when it was lay off , $ 499 at launching .
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 14 :Cameras
At first coup d’oeil , the unmarried lense on the iPhone 16e would seem to make it less impressive than the affaire d’honneur offer on the iPhone 14 . But , it ’s not quite that simple .
The 14 does offer twin 12Mp detector – a f/1.5 briny and f/2.4 ultra wide – which can pitch 0.5x and 1x optical zooms , and also features sensor - chemise optical stabilisation . This is a good range of options , with the radical wide feature article being helpful if you ’re in a tight place and want to get more of your discipline in stress .
The solitary lens in the 16e though is one of Apple ’s nuclear fusion reaction camera , as establish on the iPhone 16 , which acts as a 2 - in-1 . The 26 mm , f/1.6 setup allows you to shoot in full 48Mp for persona that contain four time the detail of those on the iPhone 14 main camera , but by cropping in and reduce the size to 12Mp you get a 52 mm , f/1.6 2x telephoto zoom . So , if you want to get further aside , the iPhone 14 is for you , if you want to crab things up and get confining – the iPhone 16e is the one you want .
If you ’re thinking of upgrading from an iPhone 14 , then it would be well worth considering which television camera you use the most , as it might not be an choice on the Modern model . Personally we find oneself that the ultra - wide photographic camera creates an unattractive perspective aberration at the bound of the icon , where people bet wider , so we prefer not to utilise it .
For video , both devices are capable of 4K/60fps Dolby Vision television , along with Slo - mo , Time - lapse , Night mode Time - Lapse , QuickTake , and Audio Zoom , but the iPhone 14 also blow the Cinematic mode that allows shallow depth of champaign ( presumably due to the ultra wide photographic camera ) along with Action mode for incredible double stabilization when you are recording television when moving ( no doubt delivered by the sensor - shimmy tech ) . On the other helping hand , the iPhone 16e has Wind noise reduction and an Audio Mix features that can meliorate reasoned quality on recording .
So , if you ’re into film - making on your iPhone , then the older framework would seem to have the advantage here , at least in damage of visual features .
The FaceTime front camera is almost the same in both , with the 16e stochastic variable subject of Smart HDR5 rather than the HDR4 maximum on the iPhone 14 . But , the latter does have Cinematic mode , which the 16e does not , as well as focal point control in Portrait way . Otherwise , it ’s as you were .
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 14: Battery Life and Charging
If you ’ve had an iPhone 14 for a couple of long time , the assault and battery life may be starting to diminish . So , the appeal of a new cell could be significant . That ’s before you view one of the iPhone 16e ’s arguably best characteristic – better battery performance . Apple is selling the virtues of it ’s new C1 5 G modem , which is promise to use less king than the standard module in the iPhone 14 .
There ’s also the improved efficiency of the A18 cow dung and iOS , plus it ’s possible , but not confirmed , that the 16e comes with a higher capability electric cell .
Whatever it is that ’s go on under the exhaust hood , Apple submit that the iPhone 16e can last for up to 26 60 minutes of video playback . That ’s a banging 6 hours more than the iPhone 14 , and that ’s when that gadget was trade name raw . If you ’re more of a medicine / podcast / audiobook fan , then the 10 extra 60 minutes of audio playback on fling from the iPhone 16e could be the affair that pushes you towards an instant rise . We ’ll be testing the battery life sentence in our review .
Wired recharging is interchangeable on both , with Fast Charge accompaniment entail that you’re able to get up to 50 % of charge in 30 minutes ( if you ’re using a 20W battery charger or higher – which of course Apple does n’t provision ) . One confusing choice is that while the older iPhone 14 supports MagSafe wireless charging , the much newer 16e does n’t . Instead , you get Qi charging support . This seems very unpaired , as the company has spend the last few years establishing MagSafe as a great feature on iPhone , only to leave it off of its former manikin .
Anyway , if you have any MagSafe chargers or barrage fire inner circle , you wo n’t be able to use them on the iPhone 16e .
Here ’s a equipment failure of the relative specs of both iPhones :
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 14: Software
Apple does a undecomposed business ofkeeping old iPhones on the belated versions of iOS . With the iPhone X models able to kick upstairs to iOS 18 , you’re able to be pretty certain that the iPhone 14 will supported for a few age yet . That being say , older fashion model do n’t needfully get the late features , often due to computer hardware requirements . This is the case withApple Intelligence , which call for the newer C.P.U. and at least 8 GB of RAM to launch the complex system that provide features like Writing Tools , Genmoji , the kick upstairs Siri experience , email summaries , audio transcription , and the various photographic camera acclivity .
The iPhone 16e meets these criteria , and that may be an of import upgrade prompting if you require the tardy software tools that Apple has to declare oneself , and to be hereafter proofed for the next few years of origination .
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 14: Price and Availability
Perhaps the biggest surprise about the iPhone 16e ( which , remember , was expected to be a replacement for the now kip down iPhone SE that started at $ 429/£429 for 64 GB , and $ 479/£479 for 129 GB ) is the price . Apple has leapt up from that affordable sum to a much respectable $ 599/£599 for it ’s new entry tier machine .
True , it ’s still $ 200/£200 cheaper than the full - fat iPhone 16 , but for those hop to not get stung by one of the most profitable company in the earthly concern in these difficult clock time , Cupertino does n’t seem interested in helping you out . If you want more than the 128 GB base storage amount , prepare to also be sting by Apple ’s over - price upgrade costs .
Apple iPhone 16e
Here ’s how the various models stack up :
Apple no longer offers the iPhone 14 , so you ’d need to look around for old farm animal that ’s selling through or 2d - mitt models if you desire to grease one’s palms your first ( or 2nd ) instance of that framework . See : Best iPhone 14 great deal , get one while you still can .
The iPhone 15 does remain in the Apple catalog , starting at $ 699/£699 , but although it boasts some better specs than the iPhone 16e , it does n’t have the kit to run Apple Intelligence . So , if that element is important to you then you ’ll need to attend at the iPhone 16 stove or the Pro versions of the iPhone 15 range ( although these are no longer on cut-rate sale from Apple ) . See ourcomparison of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 .
Verdict: Should you upgrade from the iPhone 14 to the iPhone 16e?
The iPhone 16e has some effective things go for it . Apple Intelligence future proofs the equipment ( at least for a while ) , and the protracted assault and battery living does appear very appealing . There are some drawback though . It ’s priced as a mid - range model now , but does n’t admit the basic thing you ’d expect of a model that expensive – MagSafe and at least two cameras for a start .
If you ’re coming from an old iPhone 14 , and do n’t have the special hard cash to buy the iPhone 16 , then it will definitely be a measure up in public presentation and battery life , but we ’re not convinced that it offers great time value .
