Apple iPhone 16e
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Pros
- Powerful processor.
- Very good build quality with titanium.
Cons
- Has only one lens.
- Lack of 120 Hz screen and Always On Display.
- Overpriced with numerous feature cuts, including the absence of MagSafe.
- Considered the biggest disappointment of the year 2025.
The Apple iPhone 16e is described as the biggest disappointment of 2025, mainly due to its excessive launch price of 3000 PLN, given the numerous compromises in its specifications.
Despite a powerful processor and excellent titanium build quality, it lacks key features.
The smartphone has only one lens, lacks a 120 Hz screen and Always On Display, and also misses MagSafe. The reviewer strongly advises against purchasing this device at its current price, suggesting that much better alternatives are available on the market.
“The biggest disappointment of 2025 turns out to be the iPhone 16e.”
“For 3000 PLN without a penny on launch day, one lens, no MagSafe. Okay, a powerful processor, no 120 Hz, no Always On Display, and many other cuts.”
“In my opinion, the iPhone 16e is not a device I could recommend for 3000 PLN or 2800 PLN.”
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Pros
- It is the most budget-friendly iPhone option.
- The battery life is impressive for its small size.
- Performance is fast enough for most users' daily tasks.
- The main camera offers good digital zoom.
Cons
- Wireless charging is slow and lacks native MagSafe.
- The display has a 60Hz refresh rate and no always-on feature.
- The rear camera lacks advanced features like macro photography and cinematic mode.
- It features a large notch instead of the Dynamic Island.
- Base storage starts at a lower 128GB.
The Apple iPhone 16e stands out as a strong budget offering within the iPhone lineup, providing a full iPhone experience and solid performance at a significantly lower price point compared to its more premium counterparts. Its impressive battery life for a compact device is a key advantage, making it a practical choice for everyday use.
However, this affordability comes with notable compromises, including slower wireless charging, a standard 60Hz display without an always-on option, and a less feature-rich camera system. Despite these drawbacks, the reviewer highly recommends the iPhone 16e for users prioritizing value and the core Apple experience without needing the latest high-end features.
“the iPhone 16e is, in my opinion, such a solid value in the iPhone space, that is. I know there's cheaper Android phones and people are going to yell about that in the comments, but if you want an iPhone, this thing delivers a lot of speed, gives you the full iPhone experience, but it's literally half the price of the iPhone 17 Pro.”
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Pros
- Features Apple's flagship chipset for strong performance
- Offers a very long lifespan and good software support
- Simple design appeals strongly to minimalists
- Possesses strong core capabilities for reliable use
Cons
- The 6.1-inch display is considered small by modern standards
- Perceived as not offering much for its $600 price point
- Comes with only one camera, limiting photographic versatility
The Apple iPhone 16e is presented as an ideal choice for minimalists, despite initial criticism for its $600 price point and limited features. It boasts a flagship Apple chipset, ensuring strong core performance, a very long lifespan, and excellent software support for many years of use.
However, its 6.1-inch display is considered small by current standards, and it features only a single camera, which, while simple, might be a limitation for some.
Ultimately, its simple design, limited color options, and robust core capabilities make it a reliable and unobtrusive device for those seeking a straightforward smartphone experience.
“I have to give this one, this is going to be controversial, but the iPhone 16e. I think a lot of people hated this phone because it didn't really do much for $600, but I kind of think that's exactly why minimalists are going to love it.”
“Like it's a simple design, only two colors, only one camera, less to think about when taking photos, but it still has a really strong core capability.”
“Like it's got the flagship chipset from Apple inside, very long lifespan, very good software. You can easily use this phone for many, many years, and it's just it's going to work. It's a simple basic phone.”
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Pros
- Integrates well with the Apple Watch ecosystem
- Supports convenient Apple Pay functionality
- Offers seamless file sharing via AirDrop
Cons
- Performance in AI features is significantly behind competitors
- Has been relegated to a secondary device
- Lacks compelling features to be a primary phone
The Apple iPhone 16 E has become a secondary device for the reviewer, primarily valued for its utility within the Apple ecosystem. It is used for specific functions like connecting to an Apple Watch, facilitating Apple Pay, and enabling AirDrop transfers.
However, the phone is noted to be significantly behind competitors, particularly in functional AI features. The reviewer clearly indicates a desire for substantial innovation from Apple to make future iPhones more appealing as primary devices.
“This is my trusty iPhone 16e. Yes, really. And this has become it's become like a secondary device.”
“The first one is the Apple Watch, which I'm not wearing at the moment, but I do wear the Apple Watch quite often, and I need an iPhone to make that work properly. The second reason is Apple Pay. [...] The third reason is AirDrop.”
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Cons
- The price is inadequate for the capabilities offered.
- The device is considered pointless.
- The smartphone is not convincing enough to purchase.
The reviewer expresses a very negative opinion about the Apple iPhone 16e. He believes that the capabilities offered by this device, combined with its price, make it pointless and entirely unconvincing for purchase. The statement that the phone 'totally didn't click' with him emphasizes strong disappointment and a lack of recommendation.
The smartphone is perceived as a weak offering on the market that doesn't justify its value.
“the capabilities that Apple offers us within this device and the price also, to some extent, rule out both devices.”
“neither one nor the other completely clicked with me.”
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Pros
- High share in the European market
- Surprisingly good sales
The reviewer expresses surprise and positive astonishment at the market performance of the iPhone 16e in Europe. In March 2025, the phone ranked ninth among the most chosen smartphones, capturing a 2% share of the European market, comparable to other iPhone models and the Samsung Galaxy S24.
Despite a lack of detailed information about its features, this market result was considered surprisingly good. It was also highlighted that product quality is not always the sole determinant of market success, and there will always be an audience for it.
“It turns out that the iPhone 16E is in ninth place among the most frequently chosen smartphones in Europe. This is quite a piece of information for me. In fact, it's a bit of a surprise.”
“history perfectly shows that whether a product is good or bad doesn't matter at all, because there will always be a larger or smaller group of consumers for it.”
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Pros
- Offers better real-world battery life than the Pro Max.
- Main camera takes decent everyday photos.
- Performance feels identical to the Pro Max for everyday use.
- Features a preferred compact size.
Cons
- Has a fixed 60 Hz display that feels sluggish.
- Camera system is inferior to many cheaper Android phones.
- Lacks advanced camera features like optical zoom and ultrawide lenses.
- Considered too expensive for its feature set.
- Features slower USB 2 speeds.
“It's just too expensive and Apple is still pedalling features which aren't pro. Promotion and certain camera features like the ultrawide should not come with a premium.”
“However, I'm sticking with the iPhone 16e because I like the size of it and I'm a Mac user. But if I wasn't a Mac user, I would be diving straight into Android full-time now.”