Compare iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16

Which one is best for you?

When comparing iPhone 16e and iPhone 16, it’s clear that they share several features that highlight their advanced technology and user-friendly design.  iPhone 16e is ideal for users seeking a streamlined experience for a good price, while iPhone 16 is perfect for those who want advanced camera features. This generation of iPhone models have Apple Intelligence built into the device – learn more about AI phones 

Similarities 

  • Both models are powered by the A18 chip, ensuring powerful performance and efficiency.

  • They boast a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, perfect for watching shows, playing games, or reading. 

Differences 

  • iPhone 16e features a 2-in-1 camera system with a 48-megapixel Fusion camera and 2x Telephoto lens.  
    In contrast, iPhone 16 offers a dual camera system with an additional 12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera and camera control for easier access to camera tools.  
    Plus, it has next-generation portraits with focus, depth control, and the latest photographic styles. 

  • iPhone 16e has Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W, while iPhone 16 supports MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W or higher, plus it’s compatible with MagSafe cases, wallets, wireless chargers, and more.

  • Another difference is in the battery life of the phones – iPhone 16e provides up to 26 hours of video playback, while iPhone 16 offers up to 22 hours. 

Overall, both iPhone 16e and iPhone 16 are great devices. The deciding factor might be your budget and your preference regarding camera features.   

Apple iPhone 16e

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Apple iPhone 16

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Battery
  • Non-removable
  • Fast battery charging
  • Qi wireless charging
  • Non-removable
  • Fast battery charging
  • Qi wireless charging
Body
  • Ceramic Shield front, Glass back and Aluminium design
  • eSIM
  • Splash, water and dust resistant (IP68)
  • Available
  • Ceramic Shield front, Colour-infused glass back and Aluminium design
  • Dual SIM
  • Splash, water and dust resistant (IP68)
Camera
  • 48MP + 12MP
  • 48MP + 12MP
Camera details
  • 48MP (f/1.6, Main: 26mm)
  • 12MP (f/1.9, TrueDepth)
  • Advanced red‑eye correction
  • Auto image stabilization
  • Burst mode
  • Deep Fusion
  • Digital zoom up to 10x
  • Hybrid Focus Pixels
  • Image formats captured: HEIF and JPEG
  • Night mode
  • Panorama (up to 63MP)
  • Photo geotagging
  • Photographic Styles
  • Photonic Engine
  • Portrait Lighting with six effects
  • Portrait mode with Depth Control
  • Sapphire crystal lens cover
  • Smart HDR 5
  • True Tone flash
  • Wide color capture for photos and Live Photos
  • 48MP (f/1.6, Main: 26mm) + 12MP (f/2.2, Ultra Wide: 13mm)
  • 12MP (f/1.9, TrueDepth)
  • 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 4x optical zoom range
  • Advanced red‑eye correction
  • Auto image stabilization
  • Burst mode
  • Camera Control
  • Deep Fusion
  • Digital zoom up to 10x
  • Image formats captured: HEIF and JPEG
  • Latest-generation Photographic Styles
  • Lens correction (Ultra Wide)
  • Macro photography
  • Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control
  • Night mode
  • Panorama (up to 63MP)
  • Photo geotagging
  • Photonic Engine
  • Portrait Lighting with six effects
  • Sapphire crystal lens cover
  • Smart HDR 5
  • Spatial photos
  • True Tone flash
  • Wide colour capture for photos and Live Photos
Capacity
  • 128 GB/256 GB/512 GB
  • 128 GB/256 GB/512 GB
Colour
  • White / Black
  • Ultramarine / Black / Pink / Teal / White
Connectivity
  • 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G
  • Wi‑Fi 6,802.11ax with 2x2 MIMO
  • Bluetooth 5.3
  • GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou, and NavIC
  • NFC with reader mode
  • USB Type-C (up to 480Mb/s)
  • 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G
  • Wi-Fi 7, 802.11 be with 2x2 MIMO
  • Bluetooth 5.3
  • GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
  • NFC with reader mode
  • USB Type-C (up to 480Mb/s)
Dimensions
  • 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm
  • 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm
Display
  • 6.1 inch
  • 6.1 inch
Display details
  • 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical)
  • 2532‑by‑1170-pixel resolution at 460 ppi
  • 6.1‑inch (diagonal) all‑screen OLED display
  • 800 nits max brightness (typical); 1200 nits peak brightness (HDR)
  • Display Zoom
  • Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
  • Haptic Touch
  • HDR display
  • Reachability
  • Super Retina XDR display
  • True Tone
  • Wide color (P3)
  • OLED capacitive touchscreen, Super Retina XDR
  • 2556 x 1179 pixels
  • Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
  • Dynamic Island
  • HDR display
  • True Tone
  • Wide color (P3)
  • Haptic Touch
Features
  • AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Atmos
  • Apple Pay
  • Barometer
  • Dual ambient light sensors
  • Face ID
  • High dynamic range gyro
  • High-g accelerometer
  • Proximity sensor
  • Screen sharing
  • Share experiences like movies, TV, music, and other apps in a FaceTime call with SharePlay
  • Spatial Audio and stereo recording
  • Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum microphone modes
  • Voice over LTE (VoLTE)
  • Wind noise reduction
  • AAC, APAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Atmos
  • Apple Pay
  • Barometer
  • Dual ambient light sensors
  • Face ID
  • High dynamic range gyro
  • High-g accelerometer
  • MagSafe
  • Proximity sensor
  • Screen sharing
  • Spatial Audio and stereo recording
  • Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum microphone modes
  • Voice over LTE (VoLTE)
  • Wind noise reduction
Memory
  • 8 GB RAM/8GB RAM
  • 128 GB/256 GB/512 GB
Platform
  • iOS 18
  • Apple A18
  • New 6‑core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores
  • New 4‑core GPU
  • iOS 18
  • Apple A18
  • 6‑core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores
  • 5‑core GPU
Weight
  • 167 g
  • 170 g
Video
  • 4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
  • 1080p Dolby Vision video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
  • 720p Dolby Vision video recording at 30 fps
  • Audio Mix
  • Audio zoom
  • Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p, and 720p)
  • Continuous autofocus video
  • Digital zoom up to 6x
  • Night mode Time-lapse
  • Optical image stabilization for video
  • Playback zoom
  • QuickTake video
  • Slo‑mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps
  • Spatial Audio and stereo recording
  • Take 8MP still photos while recording 4K video
  • Time‑lapse video with stabilization
  • True Tone flash
  • Video formats recorded: HEVC and H.264
  • Wind noise reduction
  • 4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
  • 1080p Dolby Vision video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
  • 720p Dolby Vision video recording at 30 fps
  • Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps
  • Audio zoom
  • Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps
  • Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p, and 720p)
  • Continuous autofocus video
  • Digital zoom up to 6x
  • Macro video recording, including slo-mo and time-lapse
  • Night mode Time-lapse
  • Playback zoom
  • QuickTake video up to 4K at 60 fps in Dolby Vision
  • Sensor-shift optical image stabilization for video (Fusion)
  • Slo‑mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps
  • Spatial video recording at 1080p at 30 fps
  • Take 8MP still photos while recording 4K video
  • Time‑lapse video with stabilization
  • True Tone flash
  • Video formats recorded: HEVC and H.264
Operating system
    Information not available
  • iOS
  • iOS 18
WIFI calling
  • Available
  • Available
Box Contains
  • USB‑C Charge Cable (1m)
  • Documentation
  • USB‑C Charge Cable (1m)
  • Documentation

Frequently asked questions

While both phones feature a 48MP main camera, the iPhone 16 offers a more advanced camera system. It adds a 12MP ultra-wide lens for wider shots and macro photography, along with additional camera features, while the iPhone 16e has a simpler setup.

No, both the iPhone 16e and the iPhone 16 feature the same compact 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. You'll get the same vibrant colours and sharp resolution on either device.

You'll get incredibly fast performance from both devices, as the iPhone 16e and the iPhone 16 are both powered by the Apple A18 chip. Whether you're gaming or multitasking, both phones are built to handle demanding tasks with ease.

Yes, both the iPhone 16e and iPhone 16 offer the same battery features, including fast charging and Qi wireless charging.

The iPhone 16e is the better choice if you're looking for value, offering the core A18 performance and a great 48MP camera. The iPhone 16 is positioned as the more premium option, adding extra camera lenses and the Dynamic Island for a higher price.

Yes, both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e support 5G, so there's no difference between them in this area.

Yes, you have the exact same storage options whether you choose the iPhone 16e or the iPhone 16. Both models are available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB capacities to suit your needs.

Both the iPhone 16e and the iPhone 16 are highly durable, featuring an aluminium design and a tough Ceramic Shield front. They also share the same IP68 rating for splash, water, and dust resistance.

No, the iPhone 16 includes Dynamic Island, while the iPhone 16e uses a traditional notch.

If you shoot a lot of video, the iPhone 16 is the better choice as it supports Spatial video recording and Action mode for incredibly smooth footage. While the iPhone 16e still shoots fantastic 4K Dolby Vision video, it lacks these advanced cinematic features.