Apple has officially retired its long - standing iPhone SE line and introduced theiPhone 16e , representing a significant shimmy in its approach to budget - friendly devices . While theiPhone SE 3maintained Apple ’s classical design with chunky bezel and Touch ID , the iPhone 16e comprehend a more modern aesthetic with Face ID technology and an boom exhibit . How do these two “ budget ” phones match up ? It ’s time to regain out .
Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3: specs
800 nits max brightness ( distinctive )
1200 nits prime brightness ( HDR )
625 nits max luminosity ( typical )
Qi receiving set charging up to 7.5W
Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3: design and display
With its introduction , the iPhone 16e is now the most affordable iPhone on the market . Despite its lower price ( compared to other iPhone 16 model ) , it features a modern design and an telling presentation .
The iPhone 16e significantly differ from former iPhone SE models . It showcases a sleek aluminum frame and lasting Ceramic Shield glass on the front . The phone hold the familiar design of late Apple smartphones , boast the same pass but lacking the Dynamic Island incur in other models . Weighing just 167 grams , it is lighter than the iPhone 16 and observably thin , making it easier to handle .
Its back has a shabu surface available in two colors , though they may be consider sterile . The undivided tv camera at the top feels unusual after using multi - camera iPhones for so long . The mass clitoris and a fresh Action Button are located on the left-hand side , strike out a shift away from traditional controls . Notably , it miss the camera ascendency slider find in the iPhone 16 Pro .
At the bottom , you ’ll find a USB - C port , microphones , and speaker unit , with minimum transmitting aerial bands and a slim photographic camera bump . Overall , the iPhone 16e blends new and old features but misses some ripe option like multiple camera and the Dynamic Island , provide a conversant experience for late iPhone users .
Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3: performance
The iPhone 16e emphasizes current - generation execution , power by the same A18 SoC as the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus , utilizing TSMC ’s 3 nm cognitive operation for excellent carrying out under heavy loads . It feature 8 GB of RAM and storage option from 128 GB to 512 gibibyte .
While the iPhone 16e performs expeditiously , we found pocket-sized bug during our review , and its background job management can slow features like Face ID compared to the iPhone 16 Pro . Despite feel slower when switching from another iPhone , the performance remains fast .
Benchmark tests show the iPhone 16e ’s performance , while estimable , is less powerful than the standardiPhone 16 . GeekBench 6 final result were strong , betoken that the iPhone 16e is optimized for longevity and battery life . The 3DMark Solar Bay trial revealed its graphics performance is also more limited compare to gamy - ending models .
Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3: cameras
The iPhone 16e surprisal with its tv camera quality , featuring a unmarried 48MP sensor with an f/1.6 aperture , phase catching autofocus , and optical simulacrum stabilisation ( OIS ) . While it excels in low - light conditions by flux pixels for better performance , it ca n’t quite match the benefits of multiple cameras .
Although some user might find the single camera insufficient , it ’s idealistic for those seeking a lighter equipment with longer battery life . The speech sound tender a 2x telephotograph zoom using in - detector cropping , which play reasonably well but can lessen quality past that point .
With various studio upshot in portrait mode and option for 1x and 2x focal length , the iPhone 16e provides decent versatility . If you ’re transition from a multi - camera phone and swear heavily on camera functionality , you may find it lacking . However , for those who prioritize periodic function over advanced picture taking , the iPhone 16e is a satisfying choice .
Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3: battery and charging
The iPhone 16e shows significant advance compared to the iPhone SE 3 regarding battery life and charging capableness .
Apple ’s focus on all important feature and maintaining size consistency has lead to the iPhone 16e hold a larger battery than the iPhone 16 Pro . Combined with the efficient C1 modem , this results in telling multi - day battery life , often lasting through the dark and into the next day .
With a 4,005mAh battery , the iPhone 16e ’s capacity is about 12 % expectant than the iPhone 16 and Pro , yet 15 % smaller than the Plus and Pro Max . It effectively commingle the efficiency of larger models with a compact design . In my experience , it delivered an telling 39 60 minutes of runtime and 10 hour of projection screen - on time , like to the iPhone 16 Pro Max .
However , it ’s not the fastest to charge fully ; it reached 50 % in 30 minutes , but took an additional minute for the rest . orchard apple tree forebode fast charging with a 20W adapter or high-pitched , and although most iPhones charge to 80 % in under an minute for battery health , it ’s still slow .
The biggest drawback is the deficiency of MagSafe . While it supports 7.5W wireless charging , the absence of MagSafe makes the iPhone 16e sense less like a flagship gimmick .
The iPhone SE 3 was one of the last iPhones to expend a Lightning connector . Although it supports fast charging , the charge amphetamine are likely slow than those of the iPhone 16e , though we will ask to guide tests to substantiate this . The iPhone SE 3 also put up wireless charging .
Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3: software and support
The iPhone 16e comes pre - installed with the latest translation of iOS 18 , which introduce various Modern feature and improvements to enhance the substance abuser experience . This update includes enhancements to concealment options , customizable home screen door thingumabob , and better integration with other Apple services .
In contrast , the iPhone SE 3 also supports iOS 18 , but there are important differences between the two models . The iPhone 16e is equipped with advance capabilities powered byApple Intelligence , which utilise machine encyclopedism to ply impertinent recommendations , improved photography features , and enhanced Siri functionality tailored to item-by-item exploiter habits . This consolidation result in a more unlined and intuitive exploiter experience .
While the iPhone SE 3 is still open , it lacks the hardware and software optimizations necessary to take full vantage of Apple Intelligence . As a effect , it is less able to leverage the latest innovations in unreal news and automobile learning that the iPhone 16e offer .
In terms of package updates move forward , unexampled iPhone 16e user should expect between five and six years of iOS updates . If you have an iPhone SE 3 , you could see iOS support final stage within the next year or two now that the phone is retired .
Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3: availability
The iPhone 16e is available for $ 599 . It offers storage option of 128 GB , 256 GB , or 512 GB and is available in smuggled and white . In comparison , the iPhone SE 3 ’s 64 GB model had a starting cost of $ 429 and was available in several coloring material choice .
Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3: time to upgrade?
For iPhone SE 3 possessor view an upgrade to the iPhone 16e , there are several compelling reason to make the switch .
The most renowned raise is the display . The iPhone 16e boasts a big and more vibrant 6.1 - in Super Retina XDR OLED presentation , which is a substantial enhancement over the small LCD concealment found in the iPhone SE 3 . public presentation is also dramatically improved , thanks to the A18 chip , which offers significantly faster processing speeds , better art , and raise AI capabilities compared to the iPhone SE ’s A15 Bionic chip .
The camera capabilities have seen substantial advancement as well . The iPhone 16e features a 48MP primary camera that delivers superior mental image quality , improve low-down - spark operation , and more advance features when compared to the individual 12MP crystalline lens of the iPhone SE 3 .
Battery life is another major vantage of the iPhone 16e , providing substantially longer utilization time than the older model . moreover , the iPhone 16e sports a more modern design , include an Action button and a USB - speed of light port , aligning it with the latest iPhone models .
Overall , the iPhone 16e presents an attractive package for iPhone SE 3 proprietor looking for a meaning rise .
