Unboxing and Testing the iPhone 16e, Apple’s Cheapest AI Phone

The iPhone 16e: Apple’s Affordable AI Phone Revolution

Redefining Affordability in the Apple Ecosystem

Apple’s latest addition, the iPhone 16e, is the tech giant’s most affordable AI-integrated phone to date. Priced at 21,900 yuan, it marks the end of the affordable SE series, making it the cheapest Apple AI phone in production.

Design and Build: A Harmonious Blend of iPhone 14 and 16

The iPhone 16e boasts a striking design blending elements from the iPhone 14 and iPhone 16. It features a 6.1-inch OLED screen with a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, delivering an exceptional visual experience with crisp colors. For those upgrading from the SE series, the OLED display is a significant improvement over the older LCD screens.

Pro Tip: The aluminum metal frame and glass back make for a sleek and sturdy design, while the lighter weight of 167 grams ensures a comfortable grip.

(Left: iPhone 16e with a notch screen. Right: iPhone 16 with a dynamic island. Photo by Wu Peihua)

AI-Fueled Action Buttons: Your Smart Shortcut

A standout feature of the iPhone 16e is its action button, positioned on the side. It functions as a visual AI shortcut key, allowing you to quickly activate features like Google search, ChatGPT Q&A, or instant translation by pointing the camera at an object. This immediate accessibility opens up a world of hands-free possibilities. Note that the Apple Intelligence function is currently limited to English and supported regions.

Did you know?: Apple plans to include Simplified Chinese support in iOS 18.4, with no official word yet on Traditional Chinese.

Performance and Battery: Powerhouse in a Slim Package

The iPhone 16e is equipped with the A18 chip, delivering impressive performance with six core CPUs and four core GPUs. Comparing benchmarks with the iPhone 16, the iPhone 16e holds its ground in CPU performance but trails slightly in GPU power.

In the battery life test, the iPhone 16e outlasted the iPhone 16 after 8 hours of continuous video playback, retaining 52% of its power compared to the iPhone 16’s 48%.

Camera: 48MP Main Camera for Crystal-Clear Shots

The iPhone 16e continues the impeccable camera standards, featuring a 48MP fusion camera with double lossless zoom. It boasts excellent performance in both daytime and nighttime scenarios.

48MP Camera: Yes | Yes
Long Zoom: No | No

Comparison

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5G Performance: Apple’s C1 Chip Tops Qualcomm

With the C1 5G chip—Apple’s proprietary 5G solution—the iPhone 16e showcases remarkable network speed. In real-world tests, 870Mbps download and 44.9Mbps upload speeds surpassed those of the Qualcomm SDX71M 5G chip in the iPhone 16.

Should You Upgrade to the iPhone 16e?

If you’re currently using an iPhone SE, 11, or 12, the iPhone 16e presents a compelling upgrade with its powerful performance, exceptional battery life, and practical AI functions. Although it lacks the MagSafe wireless charging feature, it’s a cost-effective choice with a remarkable feature set, especially with its impressive 5G speeds and AI capabilities.

FAQ Section

Is the iPhone 16e compatible with Simplified Chinese?
Currently, the Apple Intelligence function supports English and regions like the United States. Apple plans to include Simplified Chinese support in iOS 18.4, but Traditional Chinese support is yet to be announced.

What are the advantages of the Action Button on the iPhone 16e?
The Action Button on the iPhone 16e can be customized as a smart shortcut to quickly enable various AI functions, including Google search, ChatGPT Q&A, and instant translations.

How does the battery life of the iPhone 16e compare to the iPhone 16?
The iPhone 16e outperforms the iPhone 16 with 52% remaining battery compared to 48% after 8 hours of continuous video playback.

Armed with this information to make a decision to upgrade- or not—does the iPhone 16e’s offerings meet your needs, and is it worth purchasing ? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! Don’t miss out on our latest tech news and reviews. Subscribe to our newsletter for cutting-edge insights and the hottest trends in the world of technology.