Apple has retired its entry-level iPhone SE after 5 years of service, changing it with a completely new mannequin, the iPhone 16e, which boasts a much bigger display screen, a quicker chip, higher digital camera, however a fairly massive value hike. So, is the brand new gadget value the additional cash, or must you stick along with your smaller iPhone for a bit of longer?
For extra recommendation about which iPhone to purchase check out our iPhone comparability chart the place we evaluate each iPhone, or learn our iPhone shopping for information. We additionally evaluate the iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16e with the iPhone 15 to see if it’s value saving cash or spending extra.
iPhone 16e vs iPhone SE (2022): Tech specs
Right here’s a breakdown of the technical specs of each gadgets:
| iPhone 16e | iPhone SE (2022) | |
| Show | 6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR OLED show, 2532×1170‑pixel decision at 460 ppi, 2,000,000:1 distinction ratio, HDR, True Tone, Large colour (P3), Haptic Contact, 800 nits most brightness (typical) or 1,200 nits of HDR peak brightness | 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD IPS show, 1334×750-pixel decision, 326ppi, 1400:1 distinction ratio, True Tone, Large colour (P3), Haptic Contact, 625 nits most brightness |
| Chassis | Aluminium with glass again | Aluminium with glass again |
| Controls | Motion button, Quantity buttons, Energy button | Residence button, Quantity buttons, Mute Change |
| Processor | A18 chip (6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine) | A15 Bionic (6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine) |
| Rear Cameras | 2‑in‑1 digital camera system (48MP Fusion) | 12Mp f/1.8 |
| Apple Intelligence | Sure | No |
| Video Recording | 4K Dolby Imaginative and prescient video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps | 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60fps |
| Entrance Digital camera | TrueDepth entrance digital camera | TrueDepth entrance digital camera |
| Authentication | Face ID | Contact ID |
| Mobile | 5G Superfast 5G mobile | 5G |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP67 |
| Battery | As much as 26 hours video playback | As much as 15 hours video playback |
| Connectivity | USB-C | Lightning |
| MagSafe/Wi-fi Charging | Qi wi-fi charging as much as 7.5W | Qi wi-fi charging as much as 7.5w |
| Different Options | Emergency SOS through satellite tv for pc, Crash Detection | Emergency SOS |
| SIM Card | Twin SIM (two energetic eSIMs, or nano-SIM and eSIM) | Twin SIM (two energetic eSIMs, or nano-SIM and eSIM) |
| Accessible colors | Black, White | Midnight, Starlight, (PRODUCT) Pink |
| Capability | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Measurement and Weight | 146.7mm (5.78-inch) x 71.5mm (2.82-inch) x 7.8mm (0.31-inch); 167g | 138.4mm (5.45-inches), 67.3mm (2.65-inches), 7.3mm (0.29-inches); 144g (5.09 ounces) |
iPhone 16e vs iPhone SE: Design
It’s honest to say that the iPhone SE has turn out to be one thing of an anachronism within the smartphone market. Sporting one of many smallest screens obtainable (4.7-inch), it nonetheless manages to look a bit cumbersome as a result of comparatively huge prime and backside bezels. The decrease one is to help the bodily Residence button, the final iPhone to have one, together with a Lightning port, Contact ID, and a mute swap. If you would like any of those options, you’ll have to preserve your iPhone SE.
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The iPhone 16e isn’t based mostly on the iPhone 6, but it surely’s not based mostly on the iPhone 16 both. It’s one thing of a hybrid of previous and new components and is extra consistent with the design change Apple launched with the iPhone 12. The curved edges of the SE are gone and changed with flatter, squared-off sides that supply a bit extra grip.
Apple
The iPhone 16e has a bigger physique in comparison with the SE, all to accommodate the 6.1-inch show. As such it’s additionally a bit of heavier. Right here’s how the 2 gadgets evaluate when it comes to measurement and weight:
- iPhone SE: 138.4mm (5.45-inches), 67.3mm (2.65-inches), 7.3mm (0.29-inches); 144g (5.09 ounces)
- iPhone 16e: 146.7mm (5.78-inches), 71.5mm (2.82-inches), 7.8mm (0.31-inches); 167g (5.88 ounces)
Just like the previous two generations, the iPhone 16e drops the Lightning connector and strikes to the transfer common USB-C. There’s an additional button on the facet that takes the spot of the mute swap: a customizable Motion button that may immediately launch the digital camera, activate the flashlight, silence the ringer, or do any variety of different duties. On the again, you’ll discover a single digital camera lens.
Waterproofing will get an improve too, because the newer gadget options an IP68 ranking in comparison with the SE’s IP67 ranking.
Lastly, the 16e is on the market in black and white, whereas the SE was obtainable in (Product) RED, Starlight, and Midnight.
Foundry
iPhone 16e vs iPhone SE: Show
The obvious change with the 16e is a bigger 6.1-inch display screen that’s been normal on most iPhones for the previous few years. In contrast to the remainder of the iPhone 16 line, you received’t get a Dynamic Island; fairly there’s a notch on the prime of the display screen to accommodate the entrance digital camera, receiver, and Face ID sensors. The display screen has additionally been upgraded to OLED over LCD, which can ship crisper photos and richer colours with deeper blacks.
The brand new show can also be brighter, with the utmost (typical) illumination reaching 800 nits, which bests the 625 nits of the SE. In the event you’re watching HDR content material, peak brightness on the 16e tops out at 1,200 nits. (The iPhone SE doesn’t help HDR.) As anticipated, the general decision is increased as properly, with the 16e providing 2,532 x 1,170 (460ppi) and the SE coming in at a decrease 1,334 x 750 (326ppi).
iPhone 16e vs iPhone SE: Processor and specs
The iPhone SE had the most recent A15 Bionic chip when it launched in 2022, and the identical is true of the iPhone 16e, which has Apple’s newest A18 processor. It’s barely modified as in comparison with the iPhone 16, with a 6-core CPU (2 efficiency and 4 effectivity cores) and a 4-core GPU (versus 5 on the iPhone 16), however the A18 remains to be a incredible chip.
With 8GB of RAM onboard board, the A18 additionally opens up Apple Intelligence, the AI instruments that are available iOS 18, which isn’t obtainable on the SE. With this in thoughts, the 16e is a extra future-proof possibility, with assured updates for years to come back and also you received’t be lacking out on the options Apple shouts loudest about.
Storage choices have modified as properly, with Apple beginning at 128GB on the 16e with 256GB and 512GB choices. Apple charged an additional $50 for 128GB with the iPhone SE, so that you’re getting a bit of additional worth with the 16e.
Additionally new on the iPhone 16e is the C1, Apple’s first in-house 5G modem. On paper, the brand new cellphone helps the identical wi-fi connectivity because the SE (4G/LTE and sub-6Ghz 5G), however Apple says the brand new modem is extra environment friendly and helps in areas with spotty service.
iPhone 16e vs iPhone SE: Digital camera
Consistent with the entry-level choices of the previous, Apple’s iPhone 16e nonetheless has a single digital camera lens on the again. But it surely’s a lot improved over the 12Mp f/1.8 module within the SE. The iPhone 16e has a 48MP f/1.6 Fusion digital camera, matching the principle digital camera within the iPhone 16. Apple calls it a 2-in-1 digital camera system, which implies it should crop the 48Mp picture to 24Mp to achieve a 2x telephoto picture.
You additionally get the addition of a Evening Mode, Good HDR 5, digital zoom as much as 10x, and Apple’s photonic engine for higher computational processing.
Apple
Apart from that, the cameras share loads of options – 4K/60fps video (though the 16e has help for Dolby Imaginative and prescient), Slo-mo video in 1080p/240fps, Time-lapse, optical picture stabilization, True Tone flash, Deep Fusion, and varied portrait and images modes. Briefly, you’re getting a wonderful on a regular basis digital camera even when it simply has a single lens.
The entrance digital camera additionally will get an improve, with the 7MP, f/2.2 sensor within the SE changed with a 12MP, f/1.9 one within the 16e. The replace additionally brings additional software program processing and 4K video, in addition to Evening Mode and help for Animoji and Memoji. In the event you take loads of selfies, then the 16e will definitely really feel like an enchancment.
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iPhone 16e vs iPhone SE (2022): Battery and charging
One of the vital variations between the 2 gadgets comes within the battery division. With a smaller physique and older tech, the iPhone SE struck a troublesome stability between efficiency and battery life. It’s not dangerous, however when you use it typically all through the day, you’ll want a fast cost sooner or later.
The 16e is sort of the alternative. By combining a bigger battery with the efficiencies within the A18 chip and the C1 modem, the iPhone 16e boasts a 26-hour battery life, the longest over for a 6.1-inch iPhone. By comparability, Apple claimed the iPhone SE lasted for as much as 15 hours.
Charing instances are comparable, with help for quick charging as much as 50 p.c in round half-hour when utilizing a 20W charger. Apple provides a charging cable within the field, which is USB-C-to-USB-C now that Lightning is gone. Qi wi-fi can also be obtainable on each, although Apple didn’t embrace MagSafe charging on the iPhone 16e.
iPhone 16e vs iPhone SE (2022): Apple Intelligence and software program help
As of the iPhone 16e launch, each fashions had been working iOS 18.3.1 and the iPhone SE will possible get iOS 19 within the fall. The iPhone SE also needs to obtain iOS 20 in 2026 and iOS 21 in 2027 if Apple continues with its spectacular document of supporting older gadgets for as much as six years. See: How lengthy does Apple help iPhones.
Apple
Nevertheless, some options already don’t received’t work on the SE. The primary is Apple Intelligence, Apple’s suites of AI options, which requires an A18 processor and 8GB of RAM. Apple is rolliong out options all through 2025 and can little doubt add much more Apple Intelligence options in iOS 19, so if options like Genmoji, writing instruments, ChatGPT, and the brand new, improved Siri curiosity you, you need to improve to the 16e. There can even absolutely be different options that aren’t supported by the iPhone SE 3 over the subsequent couple of years, whereas the 16e is assured to help the complete slate of options for years to come back.
iPhone 16e vs iPhone: Value
With the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple has discontinued the $429/£429 slot occupied by the iPhone SE. As of now, the iPhone 16e is the most affordable iPhone you should purchase, beginning at $599/£599 and obtainable within the following configurations:
- iPhone 16e 128GB: $599/£599
- iPhone 16e 256GB: $699/£699
- iPhone 16e 512GB: $899/£899
It must be famous that the iPhone SE had simply 64GB of storage, so an apples-to-apples comparability is definitely $479 vs $599. The $599 value is the place the iPhone 14 sat within the line up earlier than Apple discontinued that iPhone. See: iPhone 14 vs iPhone 16e.
We additionally share: The place to get the most effective iPhone 16, Plus, Professional, and Professional Max offers within the U.S. and The place to get the most effective iPhone 16, Plus, Professional, and Professional Max offers within the U.Ok.
Must you purchase the iPhone 16e?
In the event you love having a small iPhone, then you definately don’t have many decisions past the 6.1-inch iPhone 16e. So, holding onto your iPhone SE is the most effective choices.
The rise in value for the 16e additionally makes it really feel as if it’s aimed toward a unique market than its predecessor. The 16e is greater and costlier, however doesn’t fairly provide the complete expertise of an iPhone 16. There’s no argument that it’s a superior gadget to the iPhone SE, with a bigger show, quicker efficiency, vastly improved battery life, and a greater camers, it’s additionally a really completely different cellphone, which could not be what these on the lookout for a 2025 model of the iPhone SE are on the lookout for. However when you’re prepared for a significant change and to enterprise past the Residence button, the iPhone 16e is a superb cellphone, even when it’s not an awesome discount.
