iPhone 16e review: I tested Apple's new budget smartphone - it has all the best features of the iPhone 16 and the battery life is BETTER

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 Whether it's the £3,499 Vision Pro or the £7,199 Mac Pro, many of Apple's products come with hefty price-tags.

But the tech giant delighted fans around the world this month, after releasing one of its cheapest devices yet. 

The £599 iPhone 16e is the latest in Apple's 'budget' smartphone line, and is the successor to the iPhone SE. 

At £200 cheaper than the iPhone 16, some fans were initially concerned that the iPhone 16e would lack many of the most loved features in the flagship. 

Thankfully, this isn't the case, as MailOnline's Science & Technology Editor, Shivali Best, found out. 

Ahead of its general release this Friday, Apple kindly sent me the iPhone 16e to test, and I wasn't disappointed. 

From the Super Retina XDR display to the Action Button, the new device is impressively similar to the iPhone 16, albeit with a slightly less advanced camera.

What's more, the battery is actually even better on the cheaper option - ideal if, like me, you're sick of constantly having to keep your charger at hand!

iPhone 16e

Rating:

Our verdict 

If you're detemined to buy an Apple device but don't want to splash the cash, the iPhone 16e is an excellent alternative to the iPhone 16. 

Several features are missing, so it really depends if these are dealbreakers for you. 

Photographers might find the lack of wide angle lens an issue, while those tied to their MagSafe accessories might struggle with the lack of compatability. 

And if you're an avid gamer, you could find the notch at the top of your display distracting during epic gaming marathons.

However, for most people, the iPhone 16e is a great entry-level option that ticks most boxes. 

How we test smartphones

When testing smartphones, we try them across multiple real-world settings, including the office, our homes, and out and about. 

We evaluate the devices based on the quality of their hardware and software, testing everything from the camera to the battery life, design, and display. 

Each smartphone goes through several days of hands-on testing, allowing us to provide an in-depth review to help consumers make informed decisions. 

Why trust us

Shivali Best is the Science & Technology Editor at MailOnline and has been testing products and writing reviews for nine years. She completed a Master's degree in Science Journalism at City University London in 2014 and previously worked at The Mirror as Deputy Science & Technology Editor. 

iPhone 16e review 

Display 

Apple's previous budget device, the iPhone SE (third generation), only had a 4.7-inch display thanks to the bulky home button taking room at the bottom of the device. 

But Apple has ditched the home button on the iPhone 16e, making room for a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display - the same as the iPhone 16. 

However, there is one clear difference between the two devices - and it's bad news for so-called 'notch haters'. 

While many leakers predicted that Apple would move across to the pill-shaped Dynamic Island design, unfortunately this isn't the case.  

Instead, the TrueDepth camera equpiment for Face ID is housed in a notch at the top of the display. 

While this undoubtedly an improvement on the home button, it is a bit obstructive if you're planning to use the device to watch full-screen movies or play games.   

Camera 

Looking at the back of the iPhone 16e, it's clear to see that the camera isn't the same as the iPhone 16's dual system. 

But don't let the single lens fool you, as this is actually a two-in-one camera system. 

The 48MP Fusion camera allows for stunning high-resolution photos, while an integrated 2x Telephoto lets you zoom in on objects while maintaining impressive detail. 

However, without a second lens, you're unable to take wide-angle photos. 

If you're a budding photographer who enjoys snapping landscapes or starry skies, this might be a dealbreaker. 

But for most day-to-day snappers, the 48MP fusion camera is more than enough to fill your Instagram feed with like-worthy photos. 

Battery 

Where the iPhone 16e really comes into its own is with the battery, which has been 'supersized' by Apple. 

Despite being one of Apple's cheapest devices, the iPhone 16e has a whopping 26 hours of video playback - the best battery life in any iPhone of its size. 

For comparison, the iPhone 16 only offers 22 hours of video playback, while the iPhone SE (3rd generation), had just 15 hours. 

Surveys have consistently shown that battery life is the most important feature for shoppers when buying a new phone, so it's great to see Apple really prioritising this in the iPhone 16e. 

Unfortunately, while the iPhone 16e does support wireless charging, you won't be able to use a MagSafe charger with it. 

This might throw a spanner in the works if you've already come to rely on magnetic accessories like tripods, batteries or wallets. 

Buttons 

Apple has waved goodbye to the silence switch in the iPhone 16e.

Instead, the device has the Action Button above the volume buttons, which you can set up with custom actions including turning on the torch, recording a voice memo, or snapping a selfie. 

As default, this is set to toggle between ring and silence, which admittedly, is still my preferred set-up. 

I'm glad to see the end of the silence swich - it was a prime spot for dust and dirt, and was always getting stuck. 

The iPhone 16e does not have the new Camera Control button which Apple launched in the iPhone 16 series. 

However, if you're a photo lover, don't panic. 

You can simply set up your Action Button to open the camera, take phoots, and even switch camera settings. 

Colours 

The colour selection for the iPhone 16e isn't the most inspiring, with only two options - Black or White. 

However, in this day and age, I don't know many people who don't use a phone case. 

Alongside the iPhone 16e, Apple has released a range of accompanying cases in pink, green or blue, as well as black and white. 

So if you're desperate for a pop of colour, you don't need to let the black and white iPhone 16e options hold you back. 

AI tools 

The iPhone 16e is built with Apple's AI software, Apple Intelligence, which opens the door to a range of impressive tools. 

Emoji fans can create custom characters with Memoji, while photographers can tweak their snaps with the Clean Up tool. 

Meanwhile, users have instant access to ChatGPT, as well as the ability to type to Siri. 

So, even though the hardware on the iPhone 16e isn't as advanced as Apple's more expensive offerings, much of the AI software remains the same. 

Price 

If you think of the iPhone 16e as a 'budget' phone, £599 is expensive by any stretch of the imagination. 

Several rival companies offer signifcantly cheaper budget devices, including Samsung's A16 (£149), and Google's Pixel 8a (£499). 

However, when you compare it to the £799 iPhone 16 - which it shares the vast majority of its features with - the iPhone 16e is pretty good value for money.