Apple’s $599 iPhone 16E is the cheapest new phone that the company’s released in years. Its debut Wednesday showcases a big rethink to how Apple presents itself for value-oriented shoppers.
On one hand, Apple’s created a device that’s built to last for years by including the same A18 processor that’s shipping in the $799 iPhone 16. The device’s similarities to the iPhone 16 don’t end there, with a similar display size, screen resolution, a USB-C port and front-facing camera. While there are some obvious differences — a single rear 48-megapixel main camera and the lack of a Dynamic Island notch — plenty of shoppers might otherwise decide that these trade-offs are more than worth the “$200 discount” from the iPhone 16.
Yet there are a number of areas where the iPhone 16E falls short of my expectations, at least on paper, like where is MagSafe? I’m looking forward to trying out the iPhone 16E, but based on Wednesday’s announcement, these are my early thoughts on what Apple’s getting right with the iPhone 16E and what decisions the company’s made that confuse me.
Watch this: The iPhone 16E Has Arrived
Pro: All of Apple’s new iOS 18 features for $200 Less
Apple Intelligence is clearly a major focus for the iPhone 16E, and the A18 processor’s inclusion allows for the new phone to be a compelling rival to similarly priced Android options with their own AI features like the $499 Google Pixel 8A, $600 OnePlus 13R and $650 Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.
All of these devices tout a similar value: An entry-level phone that lacks certain hardware features to maximize the software experience and new AI features.
On paper, this means that the iPhone 16E will not only be capable of the full Apple Intelligence suite — encompassing GenMoji, text editing and ChatGPT integration — but also able to run more complex games like Death Stranding and Resident Evil 4 Remake that are otherwise exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and later.
The iPhone 16E includes Apple Intelligence features like this integration with ChatGPT.
Con: Apple’s iPhone 16E is more expensive than the iPhone SE
The iPhone 16E seems like a fantastic value: you’re getting a scaled-down version of the iPhone 16 that costs $200 less. But when the $429 iPhone SE arrived in 2022, customers saved a whopping $300 compared with the $729 iPhone 13 Mini.
To be fair, the iPhone SE for that year was quite a different phone from the iPhone 13 Mini, but it gave customers an option to buy an iPhone for under $500. A smaller LED display, home button and single camera were trade-offs that likely appealed to someone who just wanted any new iPhone.
Even though the iPhone 16E is closer to the base iPhone 16, $599 still represents a much heftier entry-level price than $429. That alone might drive people to upgrade their iPhone SE from 2020 or 2022 to a used or refurbished device. For instance, a refurbished iPhone 15 on Amazon can be easily found for roughly $570, and it has a second camera (ultrawide) and Dynamic Island despite lacking Apple Intelligence and running on the A16 Bionic chip that debuted in 2022 on the iPhone 14 Pro.
The iPhone 16E includes a USB-C port.
Pro: The USB-C switch from Lightning might be a pain, but it’s worth it
The iPhone 16E’s most-intended audience is likely existing iPhone SE owners and anyone with an iPhone 11 or earlier. And for those considering this iPhone 16E, you’ll have to switch your charging cables from Lightning to USB-C – though the phone comes with a new USB- to USB-C cable.
Look, everyone hates replacing their power cables, but the change to USB-C will impact anyone who hasn’t already done so.
For instance, if your laptop or tablet already uses a USB-C cable to charge, now you can use the same cable for your iPhone. And if you are switching to a USB-C power adapter from the older USB-A power block that Apple used to sell with its phones, you’ll get 20-watt wired charging speeds that will be four times faster than what the 5-watt adapter was capable of providing.
The iPhone 16E does not include MagSafe support for magnetic accessories, but it does have Qi wireless charging.
Con: Apple’s iPhone 16E’s MagSafe exclusion makes no sense
Apple’s MagSafe wireless charging is a fantastic feature that’s even more widespread thanks to Qi2 magnetic accessories that are hitting the market. Every major iPhone release since 2020 — barring the iPhone SE — has included MagSafe wireless charging that makes the iPhone natively compatible with magnetic docks, cases and wallets.
Unfortunately, MagSafe got the chop on the iPhone 16E, and I find it completely shocking. Apple’s not even selling a magnetic case to help make up for the omission, whereas Samsung and OnePlus offer first-party magnetic cases for compatibility. Apple’s been referring to wireless charging and MagSafe interchangeably for years, and it’s strange to see a device capable of Apple Intelligence but not capable of magnetic wireless charging.
This does not mean that the iPhone 16E won’t work with magnetic accessories. But it does mean you’ll need a third-party case that supports magnetic accessories. Apple also announced that the iPhone 16E will be limited to 7.5-watt wireless charging speeds, which is much slower than the 25-watt speeds we’re seeing on the iPhone 16 through MagSafe.
Graphic detailing various iPhone 16E features.
Pro: Satellite connectivity’s now an entry-level perk
Apple’s iPhone 16E’s sleeper best feature might be its satellite connectivity. And while the feature has been available since the iPhone 14, it’s new for prior iPhone SE owners making the jump.
While it debuted initially for emergency services only, the iPhone’s satellite connectivity now allows for standard texting whenever you lose phone signal. This feature became particularly relevant during the Los Angeles wildfires, during which a number of additional satellite services kicked in to help people stay connected in areas where cellular service was affected.
But it also comes in clutch in less dire circumstances. For instance, my colleague David Lumb was able to text from a remote hike in Hawaii where cellular service did not exist.
The iPhone 16E includes the company’s new in-house modem for 5G connectivity.
Con: Apple’s iPhone 16E won’t work with the fastest 5G bands
While Apple’s making a point to tout its new C1 modem as the “most power-efficient” that’s ever been in an iPhone, it lacks compatibility with the faster millimeter-wave 5G bands that are available in certain major cities and venues.
Whether this will matter depends on the kind of cellular plan you are signed up for, as well as your proximity to an area of the country that has this kind of 5G. If you are considering an upgrade from an iPhone 12 or later, this might be a step back in terms of functionality. But if you upgrade from any iPhone SE, this will matter less because the 2022 iPhone SE also did not include support for 5G millimeter-wave.
I’m surprised that ultra-fast 5G support is an area that Apple cut a corner on when similarly shaped iPhone models have included this for years. But it might most have to do with wanting a device that can debut its first in-house 5G modem, which the Wall Street Journal reports took several years to develop. Other cheaper Android phones also omit 5G millimeter-wave support, so it’s not unheard of among devices in this price range.
The A18 processor inside of the iPhone 16E will power Apple Intelligence as well as intensive games.
While there are areas where I wish Apple provided more value for this new entry-level iPhone, it’s likely that the upcoming phone will offer plenty of perks for its $599 price. In the meantime, you can check out more iPhone 16E information, including our first take, our thoughts on who the device is for, how the iPhone 16E signals Apple’s AI plans, everything Apple killed about phones with the iPhone 16E’s launch and how the device’s launch could be the company’s most important.