The new iPhone replaces the home screen button on the SE with Face ID, handy for quickly unlocking the device, signing into apps, and authenticating purchases. The move also allows for a bit more screen space, granting the 16e the same 6.1-inch display found on the iPhone 16 base model.
The iPhone 16e also receives the convenient Action Button on one side, allowing for easier access to frequently used functions, but it doesn’t get the Camera Control button found on other iPhone 16 models.
The 16e sports the iPhone 16’s A18 chipset plus the efficient new Apple C1, the first cellular modem designed by Apple itself, the company says. This processing power is what allows the 16e to run Apple Intelligence, the suite of integrated AI features the company is in the process of rolling out.
The iPhone 16e ditches the proprietary Lightning port for charging and now relies on standard USB-C. It’s also capable of wireless charging. And in general, the battery life is improved. The 16e can last up to 12 hours longer than any previous generation of the iPhone SE, Apple says. CR will independently verify that claim in our battery life tests.
Like the iPhone SE, the new iPhone 16e only has a single rear camera—a simpler setup than those found on Apple’s flagship phones—but it’s a higher-resolution 48-megapixel camera compared with the 12-megapixel rear camera on the SE. The 12-megapixel selfie camera stays the same.
The new iPhone comes in just two colors: matte black and white. You can preorder it starting this Friday, Feb. 21. It will be available in stores and online on Feb. 28.
CR will put the new model to the test in our labs—measuring a range of metrics including battery life, performance, display quality, and durability—as soon as the iPhone 16e is available for purchase in stores.
If you’re a CR member shopping for a new phone, check out our full smartphone ratings, a selection of other recommended budget models, and our hands-on review of the latest iPhone 16 lineup.
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