Apple’s latest budget-friendly device, the iPhone 16e, has received its first round of reviews, and it’s making waves for its surprising upgrades and features.
Announced last week, the iPhone 16e is a successor to the iPhone SE lineup and comes with a refreshed design, Apple’s custom C1 modem, and the powerful A18 chip.
Design and Camera
The iPhone 16e features a 6.1-inch OLED display, similar to the iPhone 14, and a single-lens 48MP Fusion Camera.
The device no longer carries the “SE” branding, instead opting for the new “e” to represent a shift toward a more premium look for Apple’s budget range. It also includes Face ID, replacing Touch ID, for improved security.
Apple’s Custom C1 Modem
One of the standout features of the iPhone 16e is its C1 modem, a custom-made 5G modem from Apple.
This marks the company’s departure from Qualcomm’s modems, and while initial tests show mixed results in terms of speed compared to Qualcomm’s models, the C1 modem is said to offer better power efficiency.
Apple has claimed that the C1 modem will improve battery life, which aligns with the iPhone 16e’s impressive performance in battery tests.
Performance: A18 Chip with 4-Core GPU
Inside, the iPhone 16e houses the A18 chip with a 4-core GPU. While this is a slightly toned-down version of the A18 chip in the regular iPhone 16, it still delivers a solid performance for most users.
Benchmark tests confirm that the iPhone 16e’s graphics performance lags behind the iPhone 16, which has an additional GPU core. However, for everyday use, the difference may not be noticeable.
Battery Life and Capacity
Battery life is a key improvement in the iPhone 16e, thanks to both the larger battery (3,961mAh, up 11% from the iPhone 16) and the energy-efficient C1 modem.
In tests, the iPhone 16e lasted up to 12 hours and 41 minutes on a full charge, just a couple of minutes shy of the iPhone 16’s 12 hours and 43 minutes.
MagSafe Missing
In a surprising move, the iPhone 16e does not include MagSafe technology, which is a feature found on the regular iPhone 16.
While some users may miss the convenience of magnetic charging, the iPhone 16e compensates for it with the larger battery.
However, some users may find the absence of MagSafe an inconvenience, especially those who already have MagSafe accessories.
Overall Impressions
While the iPhone 16e may not break any records in terms of groundbreaking features, it offers a solid performance at a budget-friendly price.
The C1 modem and improved battery life are major selling points, though the lack of MagSafe and a toned-down GPU may deter some users.
