Apple announced the iPhone 16e last week with some surprise upgrades, and the device has now received its first reviews from the tech community. Apple upgraded the design of its budget handset, removed the 'SE' branding, and replaced it with 'e.' The device will launch this Friday, and ahead of the release, journalists and YouTubers have shared their insights on how the device stacks up against the iPhone 16 and how it is different from the SE lineup.
iPhone 16e reviews are out, highlighting the C1 modem, A18 Chip and more
The iPhone 16e has a 6.1-inch OLED display and a design similar to that of the iPhone 14. It features a single-lens 48MP Fusion Camera on the back and Face ID instead of Touch ID. On the inside, the device has a slightly toned-down version of the A18 chip with one less GPU core than the A18 chip in the iPhone 16. The novelty on the inside this time is the company's custom 5G C1 modem, which delivers better efficiency than the Qualcomm-made modems.
For your ease, we have embedded important excerpts from reviews that will allow you to better understand the device and why Apple is charging more for it.
Apples custom C1 Modem
Tom's Guide's John Velasco stated that he did not feel that there was a major difference between Apple's C1 modem and Qualcomm's modem in terms of performance. Apple says that the C1 modem is the company's most power-efficient modem, which will allow the device to deliver better battery life than any 6.1-inch iPhone.
And finally, you should know that the iPhone 16e is the first device in Apple's portfolio to feature the company's in-house C1 modem. It's a departure from the Qualcomm modem that Apple's relied on for years now, but it’s difficult to say if it ultimately delivers faster 5G speeds. I ran speed tests on both the iPhone 16 and 16e at three different locations in New York City, with only one test showing faster speeds with the iPhone 16e.
Allison Johnson from The Verge also claims that she did not feel any consistent difference in the performance of the C1 modem compared to the current models, which only goes on to show how capable Apple's custom chips are, given that it is a first-gen product.
Much of the 16E is familiar, but there is one entirely new component: Apple's C1 modem. This is its debut appearance, and the road to Apple's first in-house modem was reportedly full of setbacks and delays. I've used it for the past week to make FaceTime calls, upload large video files in crowded places, and stream YouTube on the bus. I tested it alongside a regular iPhone 16 equipped with a Qualcomm-made modem — both on Verizon — and I didn't see any consistent difference in performance between the two.
iPhone SE 4 Battery Life
As mentioned, Apple has already stated that the iPhone 16e has the best battery life on any iPhone with a 6.1-inch display, and the C1 modem is why. Coupled with an 11 percent bigger battery, the iPhone 16's battery life is significantly better than that of the iPhone 16.
Tom's Guide has tested the battery life, and check out what the publication has to say about it.
In running Tom's Guide's battery benchmark test, the iPhone 16e puts up an average time of 12 hours and 41 minutes. That's only a couple of minutes shorter than the iPhone 16's average of 12 hours and 43 minutes. However, the best times recorded on both phones are 12 hours and 49 minutes for the iPhone 16e, and 13 hours and 19 minutes with the iPhone 16.
Dave2D on YouTube stated that the iPhone 16e has a 3,961mAh battery, which is 11 percent bigger than the iPhone 16, which has a capacity of 3,561mAh.
A18 Chip With One Less GPU Core
The iPhone 16e is equipped with Apple's A18 chip with a 4-core GPU, which is bound to deliver lower performance than the A18 chip on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models. CNET's Patrick Holland states:
In benchmark test for graphic performance, you can really see the difference that the iPhone 16's extra GPU core has over the iPhone 16E.
iPhone 16e Does Not Have MagSafe
Possibly, the lack of MagSafe technology on the iPhone 16e is the reason why Apple decided to put a bigger battery inside the device. However, it was a surprise shift, and it remains to be seen if the change will remain exclusive to the iPhone 16e. Patrick Holland from CNET states:
The iPhone 16E lacks support for MagSafe, the magnetic connection system on the back of the phone, which isn't the end of the world. I imagine that people who don't have an iPhone with MagSafe won't know what they're missing -- notice a theme here? But in a household shared with someone who does have an iPhone with MagSafe as well as charging stands, I could see that being a bit annoying.
You can also check the iPhone 16e review videos below for a better look at the device.
Video Reviews
As mentioned, the iPhone 16e will be available to the general public starting tomorrow, so be sure to check out these reviews to better understand the features and design. We will share more details on the device, so be sure to stick around.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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