Apple iPhone 16e review: Budget-friendly option that ‘impressed’
Apple’s entry level addition to the iPhone 16 family offers great value especially amid cost-of-living pressures.
These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more
Once again, Apple has taken centre stage with the iPhone 16e, which was unveiled in February to replace the iPhone SE range.
There’s a lot to like about this model. An affordable entry point into Apple’s ecosystem, iPhone 16e offers excellent value yet doesn’t skimp on many of the features seen in its more expensive counterparts.
Priced at just $999, the iPhone 16e is also $400 cheaper than the base iPhone 16 model, and around $800 cheaper than the iPhone 16 Pro.
With eligible trade-ins, Aussies can also get their hands on the iPhone 16e for as low as $729, which is remarkable value, especially given that it comes with the A18 chip, Apple Intelligence (AI), a long battery life, plus a 48 megapixel, 2-in-1 camera system.
So is it worth it? I’ve been testing out the iPhone 16e for several weeks now to check out all of the features. Read on for my full review below.
1-MINUTE REVIEW: APPLE IPHONE 16E
iPhone 16e (128GB), $999 at Apple
Apple iPhone 16e (128GB)
What You Need To Need To Know
The iPhone 16e is Apple’s budget-friendly option, and looks similar to other models in the iPhone 16 range.
Its OLED display has excellent contrast, great for watching shows, gaming, or reading, plus it comes built with Apple Intelligence, the tech giant’s AI-offering, which delivers enhanced capabilities for a better user experience.
There’s an impressive 2-in-1 camera system with Night and Portrait modes for crystal clear photos, and the Image Playground tool lets you make custom avatars.
The iPhone 16e records 4K video, features Dolby Vision up to 60 fps, plus it has Spatial Audio for immersive sound.
There are a couple of features that have been scrapped, namely, the MagSafe charging system, plus there’s also no home button.
The iPhone 16e has a slightly smaller 6.1” Super Retina XDR display when compared to other models. However, these are minor trade-offs when you consider all the inclusions, and the price point, which is around $800 cheaper than the iPhone 16 Pro.
HOW WE TESTED THE IPHONE 16E
At news.com.au checkout, our goal is to help you make informed purchasing decisions, make great savings while you’re at it, and that includes Apple’s iPhone 16e.
Our team of shopping writers keep track of the latest sales periods, consumer reviews, product announcements and tech launches.
We also test products to give our readers honest feedback on their features, benefits and overall value.
This is the case with Apple’s iPhone 16e, which I’ve been using for several weeks. I’ve tested its features, including the battery life, camera quality and overall performance.
I also used the iPhone 16e with one of Apple’s latest silicone cases.
FULL REVIEW OF THE IPHONE 16 PLUS AND IPHONE 16 PRO
- Setting up the iPhone 16e
- Design and Features
- Apple Intelligence
- Camera
- Charging Port
- Battery Life
- Price
- Verdict: Should you buy the iPhone 16e?
- iPhone 16e Accessories
SETTING UP THE IPHONE 16E
Apple always nails their unboxing experience, and this is definitely the case for the iPhone 16e. Everything is streamlined and simplified, you literally open up the box and you’re ready to go.
Alongside the handset, you’ll receive a USB-C charging cable, and the tiny SIM ejecting tool.
The actual iPhone 16e also has some battery charge, allowing you to set things up straight away. If you’re an existing iPhone user, it’s very easy transferring everything over too.
DESIGN AND FEATURES
Smaller than other models in the range, the iPhone 16e feels great to hold in my hand and isn’t too heavy either. The two colour options (black and white) are nice but don’t let this be a major factor in your decision making if you’re using a phone case.
The edge-to-edge 6.1-inch OLED display makes videos and images look both crisp and sharp, and at full brightness everything literally pops.
What’s more, the outside casing of the iPhone 16e is made with sustainable aerospace-grade aluminium, and the ceramic shield on the phone’s front side is tougher than other smartphone glass.
Dust and water resistant, I like that it can handle splashes of tea or coffee. I travel a fair bit and would feel confident taking this model through a number of settings like the beach and on hikes. It’s IP68 rated for water resistance, meaning it can go underwater up to six metres, and for up to half an hour.
Full disclosure, I haven’t been game to take it in the water yet, but have seen ample videos testing this out online and this is a good selling point in my opinion.
Fitted with the A18 chip, this means faster processing speeds and the capacity for the iPhone 16e to handle multiple tasks at once. I didn’t experience any lag or issues myself, and feel it has passed the pub test here.
There’s the Crash Detection feature (available in iPhone models 14 and later), which can detect car accidents and connect you to emergency services.
Plus there’s also the impressive Emergency SOS tool, which connects you with help if you’re outside the normal range of Wi-Fi or traditional cellular coverage. This feature could have been ditched in the iPhone 16e, so it’s pleasing to see Apple has kept it.
The iPhone 16e keeps the Action button, which is a handy feature, letting you switch quickly between Ring and Silent modes. You can also customise this one for other settings like the Focus, Camera, or Voice Memos, and even Visual Intelligence, which are all helpful tools.
APPLE INTELLIGENCE
The iPhone 16e also has Apple’s in-house AI tool, Apple Intelligence, which is a wise move.
Launched back in December, it integrates with Siri and other apps, providing assistance with writing, editing and translation. Plus it plays a big role around privacy and keeping your data secure.
Some of the tests I carried out using Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 16e included drafting and editing text messages, changing the tone and some of the general prompts you might use on things like Chat GPT. I felt this was fairly intuitive and was a timesaver.
There’s also a fun new feature called Genmoji, which lets you make custom-built emoji (also available across the entire iPhone 16 range). I was able to generate a cat riding a surfboard and a man holding a phone. I found that asking for an iPhone 16e was too specific! The scope for greater personalisation here is promising.
You can also generate personalised avatars using the Image Playground tool, another new feature across the entire iPhone 16e range. Uploading a photograph of myself, I made a cartoon character version of me, which again carries the novelty factor.
Yes, they are all fun little features, I’m just not 100 per cent sold where I’d be using this in my day-to-day life just yet. It’s impressive to see all of these features integrated in a base model iPhone, and I can see how people will get extended value from their use.
CAMERA
If I’m spending just shy of $1000 on a phone, the camera needs to be a big selling point for me.
Thankfully, the iPhone 16e camera is great. There’s noticeably less bells and whistles than other cameras in the 16 range, but the 2-in-1 camera system performs quite well, and its 48 megapixel fusion camera is impressive.
You still get Portrait Mode, plus Night Mode delivers as promised.
I love taking photos when I am out and about or travelling, and tested the iPhone 16e camera in a number of outdoor settings, at a local park and a regular streetscape.
The image quality was great, as was the performance of the zoom and telephoto lens.
Apple’s Clean Up tool is a great feature too, allowing you to edit out elements of photographs, which is super handy if you’re looking for that perfect snap. Current iPhone users will also recognise some of the filters from earlier models. I’m a personal fan of Vivid or Vivid Warm to brighten up my images.
CHARGING PORT
I’m really happy with the USB-C charging port, it’s both fast charging and interchangeable with a whole bunch of accessories, both Apple and third party products. This means that I can charge the iPhone 16e with the same cable used for my AirPods or Apple Watch.
Some people won’t like the fact that Apple’s ditched Magsafe charging for the iPhone 16e but I personally don’t see this as a major deal-breaker, especially given that you can still use a Qi wireless charger with this model.
BATTERY LIFE
I’m really impressed with the battery life of the iPhone 16e, which gives you 26 hours of video playback, the longest ever battery life in a 6.1-inch sized iPhone.
That’s six hours of extra battery life compared to the iPhone 11 (which I used to use up until recently), and an extra 12 hours of juice compared to the iPhone SE.
PRICE
The iPhone 16e is priced from $999 for 128GB, from $1199 for 256GB, and from $1549 for 512GB.
As the “affordable” model in the iPhone 16 range, this is still somewhat expensive.
However, with Apple Trade In shoppers can get up to $210 in credit when they trade in an iPhone 11, or up to $270 in credit when they trade in an iPhone 12.
Take advantage of this offer by visiting the Apple Store online or an Apple Store location.
VERDICT: SHOULD YOU BUY THE IPHONE 16 PLUS OR IPHONE 16 PRO?
If I was in the market for a new iPhone right now, price would play a big role, as would the camera, processing speed and integration of AI tools.
Thankfully, Apple has delivered the goods on all of these factors.
The price is probably the upper limit of what I’d be prepared to spend on an “affordable” model, but I would try and make the most of Apple Trade In to bring that price point down even further.
I honestly did not feel like I was missing out on anything during the time I was using the iPhone 16e, and I should add that was after using the iPhone 16 Pro for several months, which is at the top end of the iPhone 16 range.
If you’re after a new smartphone with a great balance of features, and for under $1000, you can’t really go wrong with the iPhone 16e, it’s an excellent product that ticks a lot of boxes.
BEST IPHONE DEALS RIGHT NOW
Phone Cases
- JETech Magnetic Case for iPhone 16, $16.99 at Amazon Australia
- Bellroy iPhone 16e Case, $79.96 at Bellroy
- Otterbox Symmetry Series Core for MagSafe, $89.95 at Otterbox Australia
- iPhone 16 Classic Camera Case, $154.99 at Casetify
- Otterbox Commuter Series, $47.96 at Otterbox Australia
Screen Protectors
- JETech Screen Protector for iPhone 16 6.1-Inch, $10.18 at Amazon Australia
- Belkin ScreenForce InvisiGlass Treated Screen Protector for iPhone 16/15/14 Pro, $39.95 at Belkin
- Otterbox Premium Pro Glass Privacy Guard, $79.95 at Otterbox Australia
Cables
- Belkin BoostCharge Braided USB-C to USB-C Cable 60W (Black, White, Pink and Blue), from $19.95 at Belkin
- sweguard USB Type C Charger Cable for iPhone 16 15 Pro Max Plus, $14.99 (down from $16.99) at Amazon Australia
Wireless Chargers & Docks
- Belkin Stage Auto-Tracking Stand Pro with DockKit, $299.95 at Belkin
- Belkin 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Dock with Qi2 15W, $204.95 at Belkin
- UGREEN MagFlow Wireless Charger, 2-in-1 MagSafe Charging Stand, Qi Magsafe Charger with 1M USB-C Cable for iPhone 16/15/14/13/12 Series and AirPods Series (No AC Adapter), $59.99 at Amazon Australia
- Belkin 3 Port USB-C Wall Charger with PPS 67W + USB-C to USB-C Cable, $89.95 at Belkin
For the best savings and the latest offers when it comes to all things tech, make sure you sign up to our free weekly news.com.au checkout newsletter.
*This product was loaned by Apple for a 100 per cent independent, honest review.
‘Worth it’: Big change to cult beauty item
This “liquid gold in a bottle” sells every 3 minutes, but how does the new and improved version stack up to the cult classic?
Coffee lover’s hack to save $20 a day
It’s a daily essential for 75% of Aussies, but with rising costs, it’s getting harder to justify – this switch could save you.
Sellout drink bottle that’s ‘worth every cent’
It’s the TikTok trend that has made everyone up their daily hydration.
‘Hooked’: $40 buy Aussie hairdressers swear by
This five-star product is proven to transform hair within hours — and it’s approved by hairdressers across Australia.