If you ever used the iPod Touch back in the day, you’ll remember how it felt like having an iPhone… but without the SIM card or great camera. It was Steve Jobs himself who called it the “training wheels of the iPhone.” Fast forward to today, Apple has finally brought that idea full circle — and given it mobile data! Meet the iPhone 16e, the most affordable way to enjoy the latest iOS experience — complete with Apple Intelligence.
Let’s dive into the key features and see why the iPhone 16e might just be the perfect pick for iOS fans who want something newer than the iPhone SE and cheaper than the iPhone 16.
Design & Build: Clean, Compact & Classic iPhone Feel
The iPhone 16e looks almost exactly like the iPhone 16. It’s compact, light, and fits perfectly in your hand — only 7.8mm thick and 167g in weight. It has a glass front and back, with a tough Ceramic Shield and aluminum frame. There’s a single rear camera (yes, just one), and a notch in front instead of the Dynamic Island.
Available in black and white, the iPhone 16e still looks premium. And yes, it’s water and dust resistant (IP68 rating), so you don’t need to worry if it gets a little wet.
Display & Performance: Just Like the Big Guys
The phone comes with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display — bright, sharp, and colorful. It’s not as bright as the iPhone 16, but it’s still great for watching videos and playing games. Powered by the A18 chip, it’s fast and handles day-to-day tasks like browsing, social media, and gaming with ease.
There’s no Dynamic Island and the refresh rate is 60Hz, so scrolling isn’t super smooth — but it’s still responsive and fluid for most users.
Gaming lovers, rejoice: the iPhone 16e can run high-end games like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile without any hiccups. It’s probably the best compact gaming phone at this price.
Camera: Great for Video, Okay for Photos
You get a single 48MP rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS). No ultrawide or telephoto lens here — but in good lighting, the camera takes solid shots. The real magic, however, is in video recording. You get 4K Dolby Vision video, which looks smooth, stable, and sharp.
The front camera is 12MP and does a decent job with selfies and Face ID. No cinematic mode, but you get portrait mode, photographic styles, and audio editing options like Audio Zoom and Wind Noise Reduction.
If you’re a casual user, this camera is more than enough. But photography pros may miss the extra lenses.
Apple Intelligence & iOS 18: Smart, But Still a Work in Progress
One big highlight is that the iPhone 16e comes with iOS 18 and supports Apple Intelligence — Apple’s new AI features like writing help, smart photo editing, and Image Playground.
But truthfully, Apple Intelligence still feels unfinished. Some tools work great, but others need improvement especially compared to what Android’s Gemini offers. Still, it’s a nice step forward, and Apple will likely make it better with updates.
Battery Life: Lasts Long, Charges Slow
Here’s some good news: the battery life is amazing. Apple says it lasts longer than the iPhone 16, and in real life, it really does. You can go well over a day on one charge — almost 1.5 days with light use.
Charging, however, is still slow: 20W wired and 7.5W wireless, and there’s no MagSafe support. It takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes for a full charge, and you won’t find a charger in the box either.
Price & Variants: Budget iPhone with Latest iOS
Here’s how much the iPhone 16e costs:
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128GB – $599
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256GB – $699
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512GB – $899
It’s cheaper than the iPhone 16, which starts at ($799), and just a bit more than the iPhone 15. Compared to Android phones in the same price range like the OnePlus 13 or iQOO 13, it lacks some features but makes up for it with software, smoothness, and future updates.
Final Verdict: The iPod Touch… But Smarter!
If you always wanted the iPod Touch to have mobile data and a better camera — well, your wish just came true. The iPhone 16e gives you the full iOS experience, including the latest AI features, in a compact, affordable package.
It’s not for camera pros or spec chasers, but if you want a reliable, modern iPhone at a lower price, this is a fantastic option.
✅ Great for: iOS fans, casual users, students, gamers
❌ Not for: Pro photographers, fast charging lovers, tech geeks who want everything top-tier
Want more iPhone 16e tips, comparisons, or best accessories for it? Let me know in the comments!