In-depth Review of the iPhone 16e: A18 Chip, Long Battery Life, and an Awkward Positioning

In-depth Review of the iPhone 16e: A18 Chip, Long Battery Life, and an Awkward PositioningOn February 20, 2025, Apple officially released the iPhone 16e. Featuring the A18 chip, a self-developed C1 modem, a 6

In-depth Review of the iPhone 16e: A18 Chip, Long Battery Life, and an Awkward Positioning

On February 20, 2025, Apple officially released the iPhone 16e. Featuring the A18 chip, a self-developed C1 modem, a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, and boasting the longest battery life among similarly sized iPhones, it quickly caught the attention of many Apple fans. However, the iPhone 16e's market positioning has sparked some controversy; its place within Apple's existing iPhone lineup feels somewhat awkward. On one hand, it boasts the powerful A18 processor; on the other, it has noticeable hardware and functional gaps compared to other iPhone 16 models, such as the lack of Dynamic Island and multiple cameras. Some have even suggested renaming it the iPhone SE4. So, what is the actual user experience of this controversial iPhone 16e? This article delves into the most important questions users have.

I. How does the A18 processor in the iPhone 16e perform?

The A18 processor in the iPhone 16e is undoubtedly a focal point. While all are labeled A18, the configurations differ across iPhone models. The iPhone 16 Pro series uses a 6CPU+6GPU+16NPU combination, the iPhone 16 has one less GPU than the Pro models, and the iPhone 16e has two fewer GPU cores than the Pro models, creating a clear performance hierarchy. However, the target audience for the iPhone 16e isn't existing iPhone 16, 15, or even 14 users; it's users of older iPhones like the 11 and 12 series. For these users, the performance upgrade is substantial.

Apple's official data shows a 70% increase in GPU performance and a 50% reduction in power consumption for the A18 chip in the iPhone 16e compared to the A13 chip in the iPhone 11. In real-world use, for most daily single-core tasks, the iPhone 16e's A18 processor is not inferior to the iPhone 15 Pro. GeekBench 6 single-core tests even show a roughly 17% higher score than the iPhone 15 Pro, comparable to the iPhone 16 Pro Max. In terms of GPU performance, the iPhone 16e scores similarly to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 Pro, significantly exceeding the iPhone 14 and earlier models.

Therefore, for users with less demanding performance needs, especially those with older iPhones, the iPhone 16e is a great upgrade option, offering a significant performance boost at a price comparable to older models.

II. Does the notch design still fit the current trends?

Next, let's discuss the iPhone 16e's screen design. The lack of Dynamic Island impacts the user experience. While the iPhone 16e supports Live Activities, allowing apps to display interactive components beyond regular notifications, the absence of Dynamic Island prevents these components from being permanently displayed; they appear in the notification bar alongside regular notifications, reducing interaction convenience.

However, apart from the missing Dynamic Island, the iPhone 16e's display is almost identical to the iPhone 15 Plus, only slightly less transparent in bright light. The iPhone 16e uses a 60Hz refresh rate screen, which might be jarring for users accustomed to high-refresh-rate Android phones, but it's acceptable for non-flagship users. Older iPhones also didn't have high refresh rates, and the iPhone 16e's performance improvements ensure a smooth user experience in terms of responsiveness, though not necessarily visual smoothness.

The lack of a high refresh rate doesn't significantly impact gaming performance. Multiple media outlets have tested and shown that the frame rate bottleneck in demanding games isn't the screen refresh rate, but rather GPU performance and overall power consumption.

III. Is a single camera enough?

The iPhone 16e's single-camera setup is a bold choice in 2025. However, compared to similarly priced iPhones, the impact of the single camera is less significant, as the ultra-wide camera isn't essential for many users.

Since 2023, major phone manufacturers have focused on telephoto lenses, particularly 2x optical zoom (approximately 50mm equivalent) based on the main camera and longer, independent telephoto lenses (100mm equivalent). While the iPhone 16e lacks the high-magnification telephoto lens (a Pro-series exclusive), its 2x optical zoom (52mm equivalent) on the main camera performs well, delivering excellent bokeh effects with natural foreground and background separation. Even in complex scenes, the iPhone 16e's blur capabilities are impressive.

Furthermore, the iPhone 16e's HDR performance is satisfying. The limitations of a single camera are, however, evident. First, it can't utilize parallax to separate foreground and background, particularly noticeable in Portrait mode. The iPhone 16e relies on AI facial recognition to enable Portrait mode, unable to apply portrait blur to inanimate objects. Second, in portrait shots, the iPhone 16e can't separate foreground and background as precisely as the iPhone 15 Plus; while the subject is well-processed, flaws might appear at clothing edges. Finally, the lack of an ultra-wide camera means no macro mode, though this is less critical in the age of telephoto macro capabilities.

IV. How is the C1 modem's signal performance?

Apple highlighted the self-developed C1 modem at the launch, calling it the "most energy-efficient modem ever in an iPhone." To test the C1 modem's signal performance, we conducted speed tests on the iPhone 16e and iPhone 15 Plus in both strong and weak signal environments. The results showed virtually no difference in speed and signal between the two phones; users needn't worry about the C1 modem's performance.

V. How significant is the lack of MagSafe?

Due to time constraints, we didn't have a MagSafe case beforehand. During use, we repeatedly tried connecting the iPhone 16e to a MagSafe charger, but the connection failed due to the lack of magnetic functionality. However, inexpensive MagSafe cases are readily available, easily solving this issue.

It's worth noting that even with the auto-lock screen off, the iPhone 16e still had 50% battery remaining after extended use. The A18 chip, C1 modem, and large battery truly deliver excellent battery life.

VI. Who is the iPhone 16e for?

Finally, let's discuss the target audience. E-commerce platform reviews show the iPhone 16e appeals to many iPhone 12 users. The iPhone 12 was a crucial point in Apple's iPhone history, representing significant advancements in design, 5G connectivity, and camera technology, garnering a loyal following. The iPhone 16e aims to offer these users an affordable upgrade path, letting them experience core iPhone technologies at a lower cost.

Additionally, the iPhone 16e is currently the most affordable phone featuring Apple's intelligence (AI) features. While this feature isn't yet approved in mainland China, its eventual launchoffering the same AI experience as the iPhone 16 Pro Max at a lower pricewill likely attract Android users to switch to Apple.

In conclusion, the iPhone 16e occupies a unique niche. It's not for users seeking top-tier specifications, but rather a compelling upgrade option for owners of older iPhones on a budget. Its powerful A18 processor and long battery life are its biggest strengths, while the single camera and lack of Dynamic Island are trade-offs users need to consider based on their needs.