Comparison
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: What Do You Give Up?
The iPhone 16 has an ultra wide camera, MagSafe, the Dynamic Island, Camera Control and a brighter screen. The iPhone 16e gives those up but has longer battery life, Apple Intelligence and the same 48MP main camera.
Buy the iPhone 16e if you want Apple Intelligence, a 48MP camera and the longest battery life of the two at the lowest price. Buy the iPhone 16 if you want a second camera for wide shots and macro, MagSafe, the Dynamic Island, Camera Control and a brighter screen.
You want an ultra wide camera and macro photos
You use MagSafe wallets, mounts or chargers
You want the Dynamic Island and Camera Control
You are outside a lot and want a brighter screen
You want the best battery life of the two
You only use the main camera
You don't use MagSafe accessories
Skip both if: you want a 120Hz screen. Both are 60Hz. The iPhone 17 has 120Hz.
The short version
The iPhone 16e is the entry model of the iPhone 16 family. Both have a 6.1-inch OLED screen, the A18 chip, Apple Intelligence, the Action button, a 48MP Fusion main camera with 2x optical-quality zoom, a 12MP front camera, Face ID, USB-C and IP68.
To bring the price down, the 16e drops the ultra wide camera, MagSafe, the Dynamic Island (it has a notch), Camera Control and one GPU core. Its screen is less bright outdoors.
In return it gets something surprising: better battery life. Apple rates the 16e at up to 26 hours of video playback, against up to 22 hours for the iPhone 16. It also uses Apple's own C1 modem.
What's different
See every spec side by side
| iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | February 2025 | September 2024 |
| Screen | 6.1" OLED, notch, 2532 x 1170 | 6.1" OLED, Dynamic Island, 2556 x 1179 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness | 800 nits typical, 1200 nits HDR | 1000 nits typical, 2000 nits outdoor |
| Chip | A18 (4-core GPU) | A18 (5-core GPU) |
| Apple Intelligence | Yes | Yes |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Main camera | 48MP Fusion, 2x optical-quality | 48MP Fusion, 2x optical-quality |
| Ultra wide | None | 12MP, with macro |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Camera Control | No | Yes |
| Action button | Yes | Yes |
| Video playback | Up to 26 hours | Up to 22 hours |
| Fast charging (wired) | 50% in 30 min (20W) | 50% in 30 min (20W) |
| Wireless charging | Qi only, no MagSafe | MagSafe and Qi2, up to 25W |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Weight | 167 g | 170 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6 m, 30 min) | IP68 (6 m, 30 min) |
| Refurbished price | From $609.99 | From $889.99 |
Cameras
Both phones use a 48MP Fusion main camera with a 2x optical-quality zoom, so everyday 1x and 2x photos are very close.
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The iPhone 16 adds a 12MP ultra wide that also shoots macro close-ups and spatial photos and video. The 16e has one rear camera, so there is no 0.5x for landscapes, rooms or big groups, and no macro.
The iPhone 16 also has Camera Control, a pressure-sensitive button that opens the camera, takes photos and lets you swipe to zoom. On the 16e you can set the Action button to open the camera instead.
Battery life
This is where the 16e wins.
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Apple rates it at up to 26 hours of video playback and 21 hours streamed. The iPhone 16 is rated at up to 22 hours and 18 hours.
Both reach 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W adapter. The big difference is wireless. The iPhone 16 supports MagSafe and Qi2 at up to 25W, plus magnetic MagSafe accessories like wallets and car mounts. The 16e works with standard Qi chargers but has no MagSafe magnets.
Screen and design
Both screens are 6.1-inch OLED at 60Hz.
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The iPhone 16 has the Dynamic Island, which shows timers, music and live activities in a pill at the top. The 16e has a notch.
The iPhone 16 also gets much brighter outdoors, up to 2000 nits against 1200 nits peak (HDR) on the 16e. In direct sun, the 16 is easier to read.
They weigh almost the same, 167 g for the 16e and 170 g for the 16. The 16e has a single camera lens on the back. Cases do not carry over between them.
Chip and Apple Intelligence
Both have the A18 chip and both support Apple Intelligence, including Writing Tools, Clean Up in Photos, Genmoji and Image Playground.
Read more
The 16e version has a 4-core GPU against 5 cores on the 16, so the 16 is slightly faster in demanding games. In everyday use, you will not see a difference.
The iPhone 16 has Wi-Fi 7. The 16e has Wi-Fi 6. Both have Bluetooth 5.3, Emergency SOS via satellite and Face ID.
Price range
Refurbished, the iPhone 16e starts at $609.99 and the iPhone 16 starts at $889.99. Higher storage and better grades cost more. Prices on this page update live from our store.
Want a newer entry-level iPhone? See the iPhone 17e. Browse the full iPhone 16 series, or sell or trade in your current phone.
Should you buy new or refurbished?
Refurbished makes either phone even better value.
Read more
Every phone we sell is inspected and tested, unlocked, and backed by up to a 1-year warranty and 14-day returns. Grades describe looks only. Read new vs used vs refurbished to learn more.
Still choosing? Our buying guides: best phones in Canada, best camera phones, best battery life and best phones for seniors.
FAQ
Is the iPhone 16 worth it over the iPhone 16e?
If you want an ultra wide camera, MagSafe, the Dynamic Island or a brighter screen, yes. If you mostly use the main camera and want longer battery life, the 16e is the better fit.
Does the iPhone 16e have MagSafe?
No. The iPhone 16e works with Qi wireless chargers but has no MagSafe magnets. The iPhone 16 supports MagSafe and Qi2 up to 25W.
Does the iPhone 16e support Apple Intelligence?
Yes. The iPhone 16e has the A18 chip and supports Apple Intelligence, like every iPhone 16 model.
Which has better battery life, iPhone 16e or 16?
The iPhone 16e. Apple rates it at up to 26 hours of video playback against up to 22 hours for the iPhone 16.
Does the iPhone 16e have the Dynamic Island?
No. The iPhone 16e has a notch. The iPhone 16 has the Dynamic Island.
Still choosing? Read our guide to which iPhone to buy.
See them side by side: compare every spec and today's prices by condition, or add a third phone.
Skip the new-phone price
Get the iPhone 16 pre-owned from $889.99, tested by real technicians with up to a 1-year warranty and 14-day returns.
