Last week, Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e, surprising many with a range of upgrades, including a new naming convention that drops the ‘SE’ branding. Set to be released this upcoming Friday, initial reactions from tech journalists and content creators provide a clearer picture of how this budget-friendly device compares to the iPhone 16 and contrasts with its SE predecessors.
Key Insights from iPhone 16e Reviews: C1 Modem, A18 Chip, and More
The iPhone 16e showcases a 6.1-inch OLED display with a design reminiscent of the iPhone 14. It features a single 48MP Fusion Camera at the rear and utilizes Face ID rather than Touch ID for security. Powering the device is a slightly less robust version of the A18 chip, which has one fewer GPU core compared to the A18 in the iPhone 16. A highlight of the device is the new custom 5G C1 modem, offering improved efficiency over previous Qualcomm modems.
To simplify your understanding of the iPhone 16e’s capabilities and justifications for its price, we have compiled essential excerpts from various reviews.
Apple’s Innovative C1 Modem
According to Tom’s Guide’s John Velasco, there was no noticeable performance disparity between Apple’s C1 modem and Qualcomm’s offerings. Apple touts the C1 as its most energy-efficient modem yet, which is expected to enhance battery life across its 6.1-inch models.
Moreover, it’s important to note that the iPhone 16e is Apple’s inaugural device featuring the in-house C1 modem, marking a significant transition from Qualcomm’s technology. However, determining whether it surpasses Qualcomm in speed remains uncertain, as my testing in various locations in New York City only indicated improved speeds in one instance for the iPhone 16e.
Similarly, Allison Johnson from The Verge echoed these sentiments, noting the performance parity between the C1 modem and existing models, which underscores the potential performance of Apple’s custom chips, despite being a first-generation product.
While much about the 16e feels familiar, the introduction of the C1 modem stands out. Its development faced numerous challenges, yet after a week of usage—including FaceTime calls and live streaming in crowded settings—I found no consistent performance differences when compared to the Qualcomm modem on a standard iPhone 16.
Exceptional Battery Life of the iPhone 16e
Apple claims that the iPhone 16e achieves the best battery life among 6.1-inch iPhones, thanks to the efficient C1 modem paired with an 11% larger battery. Test results from Tom’s Guide reveal substantial battery performance:
During our battery benchmark test, the iPhone 16e averaged 12 hours and 41 minutes, only slightly less than the iPhone 16’s average of 12 hours and 43 minutes. Remarkably, the best times recorded were 12 hours and 49 minutes for the 16e, versus 13 hours and 19 minutes for the iPhone 16.
Notably, Dave2D on YouTube verified that the iPhone 16e comes with a 3, 961mAh battery, marking an 11% increase over the iPhone 16’s 3, 561mAh capacity.
A18 Chip: Performance Considerations
The iPhone 16e is powered by Apple’s A18 chip, configured with a 4-core GPU. This choice results in diminished performance compared to the A18 used in the iPhone 16 and Pro models.CNET’s Patrick Holland elaborated:
Benchmark tests reveal a noticeable gap in graphics performance, clearly illustrating the advantage that the additional GPU core in the iPhone 16 provides over the iPhone 16e.
Absence of MagSafe Technology
An intriguing aspect of the iPhone 16e is its lack of MagSafe support, which may explain the inclusion of a larger battery. While this change came as a surprise, its potential exclusivity to the iPhone 16e remains to be seen. Patrick Holland from CNET commented:
The absence of MagSafe on the iPhone 16e is not necessarily detrimental; users unfamiliar with its functionality might not miss it. However, for those in a household with MagSafe devices, the inconvenience could be noteworthy.
Additional Video Reviews
For further insights, we’ve included several video reviews on the iPhone 16e:
Stay tuned for more updates, as we continue to explore the features and performance of the iPhone 16e.
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