The iPhone 16 series marks a significant update to the Photographic Styles feature, which debuted with the iPhone 13. Despite the iPhone 16e sharing similar hardware with its pricier counterparts, it appears to be missing the latest Photographic Styles.
The iPhone 16e and Its Photographic Styles
As highlighted on Apple’s official site comparing various iPhone models, only the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are equipped with the new-generation Photographic Styles. While the iPhone 16e includes several camera features absent in the now-retired iPhone SE, the new Photographic Styles are not among them.
The specifications for the iPhone 16e indicate support for “Photographic Styles,” omitting the term “latest-generation,” implying it retains the older filters from the iPhone 13.
For those new to this feature, Apple first introduced Photographic Styles with the iPhone 13. Unlike basic filters that alter a compressed image, this functionality intelligently adjusts the tone, contrast, and warmth of photos as they’re taken, ensuring optimal rendering of skin tones and skies.
With the introduction of the iPhone 16, Apple has enhanced the feature significantly. Now, the iPhone retains color, lighting, and shadow information for each photo, allowing users to apply and adjust Photographic Styles even after capturing an image. This opens up a wider array of editing possibilities.
It remains unclear why the iPhone 16e is bypassing the new Photographic Styles, especially given that it features the same A18 chip and 48-megapixel main camera as the standard iPhone 16. This may be a strategic marketing choice, akin to the absence of ProRAW image capture in non-Pro models.
Additional Details on the New iPhone
Along with the A18 chip and 48-megapixel camera, the iPhone 16e features a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, and a USB-C port. It also includes Apple’s inaugural custom 5G modem for improved energy efficiency.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e will start on Friday, February 21, with initial shipments expected the following week on February 28. Pricing begins at $599 for the 128GB variant, with 256GB and 512GB options available in both white and black.
