Apple Unveils iPhone 16e in India: A Budget-Friendly Powerhouse with Strong Battery Life and Premium Features

In a surprising move, Apple has unveiled the iPhone 16e as the most affordable model in its new iPhone 16 lineup, leaving many wondering about the fate of the highly anticipated iPhone SE 4. Priced at ₹59,900 in India ($599 in the US), the iPhone 16e offers a more budget-friendly alternative to the standard iPhone 16, which starts at ₹79,900. Despite its lower price, the 16e isn’t a stripped-down device—it still features several key Apple innovations.

Availability in India

Indian Apple fans can pre-order the iPhone 16e starting Friday, February 21, with the official launch set for Friday, February 28.

Design: Familiar Yet Modern

The iPhone 16e borrows heavily from the iPhone 14 in terms of design but adds the Action Button—previously exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro models. This customizable button allows users to quickly access various functions like opening the camera or enabling Do Not Disturb mode.

While both the iPhone 16e and iPhone 16 sport a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, the iPhone 16 outshines the 16e outdoors, boasting a peak brightness of 2000 nits compared to 800 nits. Another key difference is that the iPhone 16 retains Apple’s Dynamic Island, while the 16e sticks with the classic notch design.

Performance: Power-Packed, with a Few Trade-Offs

Both models run on Apple’s latest A18 chip, featuring a 6-core CPU. However, the iPhone 16 has a slight edge in graphics with a 5-core GPU, while the 16e comes with a 4-core GPU. For everyday tasks, most users won’t notice a difference, but gamers and heavy-duty users might lean toward the iPhone 16.

Where the iPhone 16e surprisingly takes the lead is battery life. Thanks to Apple’s new C1 modem, which enhances 5G efficiency while conserving power, the 16e delivers up to 26 hours of video playback—beating the iPhone 16’s 22-hour runtime.

Camera: Zoom or Ultra-Wide?

Both devices come with a 48MP main camera, but their capabilities differ. The iPhone 16 features an additional 12MP Ultra Wide lens, enabling better wide-angle shots and advanced features like Macro Photography and Depth Control in Portrait mode.

The iPhone 16e, on the other hand, compensates with a 2x Telephoto zoom integrated into its main camera, allowing for optical-quality zoom without a separate lens. While it lacks the iPhone 16’s spatial video and ultra-wide capabilities, it still delivers impressive photos at a lower cost.

Colors and Storage: Fewer Choices, But Still Solid

If aesthetics matter to you, the iPhone 16 offers a wider range of colors, including Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, and Black. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16e sticks to a more minimalist Black and White option.

Both models start with 128GB of storage, but the iPhone 16 provides more flexibility, going up to 512GB, while the 16e maxes out at 256GB.

Verdict: Worth the Savings?

For those looking to save ₹20,000 while still getting a capable iPhone, the 16e is a compelling option. It delivers strong performance, great battery life, and decent photography features. However, if you’re after the Dynamic Island, ultra-wide photography, or higher peak brightness, shelling out for the iPhone 16 might be worth it.