Apple recently introduced its latest budget-friendly iPhone, the iPhone 16e. Originally rumored to debut as the iPhone SE 4, the company ultimately decided to discontinue the SE series and integrate this new model into the existing iPhone 16 lineup. While it’s technically the most affordable option in the iPhone 16 family, there are some compelling reasons why you might want to think twice before buying it. Here’s why.
iPhone 16e specifications: what’s new?
Let’s first look at the specifications before moving onto the final verdict. The iPhone 16e packs a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with HDR10 certification, 1200-nits of peak brightness support,1170*2532 pixel resolution and Ceramic Shield Protection. It is powered by the Apple A18 chipset which is based on 3nm finfet technology and runs on latest iOS 18.4.
As for the cameras, it brings a single rear camera with a 48-megapixel resolution, f/1.6 aperture, 26mm equivalent focal length and OIS support. On the front, we have a 12-megapixel f/1.9 wide selfie sensor along with a SL 3D biometric module for Face ID. Apple has not mentioned a single information about its battery life but it is claimed that it can charge to 50-percent in 30 minutes.
The device comes in three different variants: 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. All the variants have similar 8GB RAM capacity. The gadget is capable of running the latest Apple Intelligence. All the basic features and connectivity options including the Satellite connectivity option is there on the device.
iPhone 16e: why shouldn’t you buy it?
There are multiple reasons why you should avoid this iPhone, even if you are a hardcore Apple enthusiast. Let’s see why:
- Absurd Pricing
While the Apple iPhone 16e is the most affordable option in the latest iPhone 16 lineup, it’s hard to justify its price tag. Priced at $599 globally and INR 59,990 in India, the value just doesn’t add up. At this price point, you can find far better Android devices that offer more features and performance. If you’re set on sticking with Apple, you could easily opt for the iPhone 15 at a similar price or stretch your budget slightly to get the latest iPhone 16, both of which are much more compelling choices. - No Innovation!
Another reason to skip the iPhone 16e is its lack of innovation. While it does support Apple Intelligence, that alone isn’t enough to justify the purchase. The phone falls short in several areas, missing basic features like a telephoto or ultrawide camera. On top of that, it doesn’t even offer a high refresh rate display, which has become a standard in many smartphones at this price point. For a device in 2025, these omissions make it hard to recommend.
