Presented by Uniq: Explore the latest rugged cases from Uniq, including the glow-in-the-dark Combat Active iPhone case with a textured grip for superior control and a reflective lanyard. Also, check out the Stride SE, a high-performance sports band for the Apple Watch made with durable FKM.
Yesterday, Apple introduced the new iPhone 16e, the most affordable addition to the iPhone lineup. It features Apple Intelligence, Face ID, USB-C, a 48MP Fusion camera, and much more, starting at just $599.
Clearly, the iPhone 16e is a significant upgrade compared to the iPhone SE 3. Yet, it’s straightforward to compare it to lower-tier models from previous generations like the iPhone 12, 13, 14, and even the iPhone 15 – for good reasons. We’ll explore that comparison here.
Comparing the iPhone 12 and iPhone 16e
The iPhone 12 marked the first redesign since the iPhone X, unveiling a boxy design that continues in the current lineup. It was the first to support 5G, utilizing an early-generation Qualcomm 5G modem that was somewhat inefficient. In contrast, the iPhone 16e employs Apple’s first in-house 5G modem, which offers significantly improved power efficiency.
With enhancements like USB-C, a reduced notch, Apple Intelligence, and an upgraded camera sensor, opting for the iPhone 16e is a no-brainer.
| iPhone 12 | iPhone 16e | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1″ OLED with larger notch – 625 nits brightness |
6.1″ OLED with smaller notch – 800 nits brightness |
| Camera | Wide: 12MP Ultrawide: 12MP |
Wide: 48MP Ultrawide: N/A |
| Processor | Apple A14: – 6-core CPU – 4-core GPU – 16-core Neural Engine |
Apple A18: – 6-core CPU – 4-core GPU – 16-core Neural Engine |
| Charging | Lightning up to 20W MagSafe up to 15W |
USB-C up to 20W Qi charging up to 7.5W |
| Apple Intelligence | No support | Fully supported |
| Connectivity | – Wi-Fi 6 – Bluetooth 5.0 – Sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G |
– Wi-Fi 6 – Bluetooth 5.3 – Sub-6GHz 5G |
| Battery | 17 hours of video playback | 26 hours of video playback |
| Additional features | – Ring/mute switch – Emergency SOS – N/A – N/A |
– Action Button – Emergency SOS via Satellite – Crash Detection – Photographic Styles |
iPhone 13 vs iPhone 16e Comparison
The upgrades present in the iPhone 16e over the iPhone 13, released in 2021, are substantial. Most enhancements are universal to the new model, except for the absence of an ultra-wide camera on the rear. Nonetheless, the iPhone 16e utilizes the 48MP camera sensor from the iPhone 15, allowing for 2x zoom photos at “optical quality,” which the iPhone 13 can’t achieve.
| iPhone 13 | iPhone 16e | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1″ OLED with smaller notch – 800 nits brightness |
6.1″ OLED with smaller notch – 800 nits brightness |
| Camera | Wide: 12MP Ultrawide: 12MP |
Wide: 48MP Ultrawide: N/A |
| Processor | Apple A15: – 6-core CPU – 4-core GPU – 16-core Neural Engine |
Apple A18: – 6-core CPU – 4-core GPU – 16-core Neural Engine |
| Charging | Lightning up to 20W MagSafe up to 15W |
USB-C up to 20W Qi charging up to 7.5W |
| Apple Intelligence | No support | Fully supported |
| Connectivity | – Wi-Fi 6 – Bluetooth 5.0 – Sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G |
– Wi-Fi 6 – Bluetooth 5.3 – Sub-6GHz 5G |
| Battery | 19 hours of video playback | 26 hours of video playback |
| Additional features | – Ring/mute switch – Emergency SOS – N/A – Photographic Styles |
– Action Button – Emergency SOS via Satellite – Crash Detection – Photographic Styles |
Comparing iPhone 14 with iPhone 16e
Considering the similarities between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14, there aren’t significant differences to highlight, but here’s a detailed breakdown:
| iPhone 14 | iPhone 16e | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1″ OLED with smaller notch – 800 nits brightness |
6.1″ OLED with smaller notch – 800 nits brightness |
| Camera | Wide: 12MP Ultrawide: 12MP |
Wide: 48MP Ultrawide: N/A |
| Processor | Apple A15: – 6-core CPU – 5-core GPU – 16-core Neural Engine |
Apple A18: – 6-core CPU – 4-core GPU – 16-core Neural Engine |
| Charging | Lightning up to 20W MagSafe up to 15W |
USB-C up to 20W Qi charging up to 7.5W |
| Apple Intelligence | No support | Fully supported |
| Connectivity | – Wi-Fi 6 – Bluetooth 5.3 – Sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G |
– Wi-Fi 6 – Bluetooth 5.3 – Sub-6GHz 5G |
| Battery | 20 hours of video playback | 26 hours of video playback |
| Additional features | – Ring/mute switch – Emergency SOS via Satellite – Crash Detection – Photographic Styles |
– Action Button – Emergency SOS via Satellite – Crash Detection – Photographic Styles |
iPhone 15 vs iPhone 16e Comparison
The iPhone 15 introduced key upgrades over the iPhone 14, featuring USB-C and Dynamic Island in Apple’s entry-level offering. It also incorporated the enhanced 48MP wide-angle lens from the iPhone 14 Pro, which the iPhone 16e also benefits from.
| iPhone 15 | iPhone 16e | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.1″ OLED with Dynamic Island – 1000 nits brightness |
6.1″ OLED with smaller notch – 800 nits brightness |
| Camera | Wide: 48MP Ultrawide: 12MP |
Wide: 48MP Ultrawide: N/A |
| Processor | Apple A16: – 6-core CPU – 5-core GPU – 16-core Neural Engine |
Apple A18: – 6-core CPU – 4-core GPU – 16-core Neural Engine |
| Charging | USB-C up to 20W MagSafe up to 15W |
USB-C up to 20W Qi charging up to 7.5W |
| Apple Intelligence | No support | Fully supported |
| Connectivity | – Wi-Fi 6 – Bluetooth 5.3 – Sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G |
– Wi-Fi 6 – Bluetooth 5.3 – Sub-6GHz 5G |
| Battery | 20 hours of video playback | 26 hours of video playback |
| Additional features | – Ring/mute switch – Emergency SOS via Satellite – Crash Detection – Photographic Styles |
– Action Button – Emergency SOS via Satellite – Crash Detection – Photographic Styles |
Conclusion
In summary, the iPhone 16e serves as a substantial upgrade over any model older than the latest-generation iPhone 16, provided that you don’t mind the absence of official MagSafe support.
You’ll gain features such as USB-C, Apple Intelligence support, along with an array of other enhancements, mostly at the cost of the ultra-wide lens. The one exception is the iPhone 15, from which you will also forgo the Dynamic Island. No matter what iPhone you are transitioning from, you will enjoy the best battery life available in any 6.1-inch iPhone.
Presented by Uniq: Explore the latest rugged cases from Uniq, including the glow-in-the-dark Combat Active iPhone case with a textured grip for superior control and a reflective lanyard. Also, check out the Stride SE, a high-performance sports band for the Apple Watch made with durable FKM.
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