Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3: Should you upgrade?

Apple has officially retired its long-standing iPhone SE line and introduced the iPhone 16e, representing a significant shift in its approach to budget-friendly devices. While the iPhone SE 3 maintained Apple’s classic design with chunky bezels and Touch ID, the iPhone 16e embraces a more modern aesthetic with Face ID technology and an expanded display. How do these two “budget” phones match up? It’s time to find out.

Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3: specs

Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3: design and display

With its introduction, the iPhone 16e is now the most affordable iPhone on the market. Despite its lower price (compared to other iPhone 16 models), it features a modern design and an impressive display.

The iPhone 16e significantly differs from previous iPhone SE models. It showcases a sleek aluminum frame and durable Ceramic Shield glass on the front. The phone maintains the familiar design of recent Apple smartphones, featuring the same notch but lacking the Dynamic Island found in other models. Weighing just 167 grams, it is lighter than the iPhone 16 and noticeably thinner, making it easier to handle.

Its back has a glass surface available in two colors, though they may be considered uninspired. The single camera at the top feels unusual after using multi-camera iPhones for so long. The volume buttons and a new Action Button are located on the left side, marking a shift away from traditional controls. Notably, it lacks the camera control slider found in the iPhone 16 Pro.

At the bottom, you’ll find a USB-C port, microphones, and speaker, with minimal antenna bands and a slim camera bump. Overall, the iPhone 16e blends new and old features but misses some advanced options like multiple cameras and the Dynamic Island, offering a familiar experience for recent iPhone users.

Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3: performance

The iPhone 16e emphasizes current-generation performance, powered by the same A18 SoC as the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, utilizing TSMC’s 3nm process for excellent performance under heavy loads. It features 8GB of RAM and storage options from 128GB to 512GB.

While the iPhone 16e performs efficiently, we found minor glitches during our review, and its background task management can slow features like Face ID compared to the iPhone 16 Pro. Despite feeling slower when switching from another iPhone, the performance remains fast.

Benchmark tests showed the iPhone 16e’s performance, while good, is less powerful than the standard iPhone 16. GeekBench 6 results were strong, indicating that the iPhone 16e is optimized for longevity and battery life. The 3DMark Solar Bay test revealed its graphics performance is also more limited compared to higher-end models.

Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3: cameras

The iPhone 16e surprises with its camera quality, featuring a single 48MP sensor with an f/1.6 aperture, phase detection autofocus, and optical image stabilization (OIS). While it excels in low-light conditions by combining pixels for better performance, it can’t quite match the benefits of multiple cameras.

Although some users might find the single camera insufficient, it’s ideal for those seeking a lighter device with longer battery life. The phone offers a 2x telephoto zoom using in-sensor cropping, which works reasonably well but can decrease quality past that point.

With various studio effects in portrait mode and options for 1x and 2x focal lengths, the iPhone 16e provides decent versatility. If you’re transitioning from a multi-camera phone and rely heavily on camera functionality, you may find it lacking. However, for those who prioritize occasional use over advanced photography, the iPhone 16e is a solid choice.

Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3: battery and charging

The iPhone 16e shows significant improvements compared to the iPhone SE 3 regarding battery life and charging capabilities.

Apple’s focus on essential features and maintaining size consistency has led to the iPhone 16e having a larger battery than the iPhone 16 Pro. Combined with the efficient C1 modem, this results in impressive multi-day battery life, often lasting through the night and into the next day.

With a 4,005mAh battery, the iPhone 16e’s capacity is about 12% larger than the iPhone 16 and Pro, yet 15% smaller than the Plus and Pro Max. It effectively combines the efficiency of larger models with a compact design. In my experience, it delivered an impressive 39 hours of runtime and 10 hours of screen-on time, comparable to the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

However, it’s not the fastest to charge fully; it reached 50% in 30 minutes, but took an additional hour for the rest. Apple promises fast charging with a 20W adapter or higher, and although most iPhones charge to 80% in under an hour for battery health, it’s still slow.

The biggest drawback is the lack of MagSafe. While it supports 7.5W wireless charging, the absence of MagSafe makes the iPhone 16e feel less like a flagship device.

The iPhone SE 3 was one of the last iPhones to use a Lightning connector. Although it supports fast charging, the charging speeds are likely slower than those of the iPhone 16e, though we will need to conduct tests to confirm this. The iPhone SE 3 also supports wireless charging.

Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3: software and support

The iPhone 16e comes pre-installed with the latest version of iOS 18, which introduces various new features and improvements to enhance the user experience. This update includes enhancements to privacy settings, customizable home screen widgets, and better integration with other Apple services.

In contrast, the iPhone SE 3 also supports iOS 18, but there are significant differences between the two models. The iPhone 16e is equipped with advanced capabilities powered by Apple Intelligence, which utilizes machine learning to provide smarter recommendations, improved photography features, and enhanced Siri functionality tailored to individual user habits. This integration results in a more seamless and intuitive user experience.

While the iPhone SE 3 is still capable, it lacks the hardware and software optimizations necessary to take full advantage of Apple Intelligence. As a result, it is less able to leverage the latest innovations in artificial intelligence and machine learning that the iPhone 16e offers.

In terms of software updates moving forward, new iPhone 16e users should expect between five and six years of iOS updates. If you have an iPhone SE 3, you could see iOS support end within the next year or two now that the phone is retired.

Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3: availability

The iPhone 16e is available for $599. It offers storage options of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB and is available in black and white. In comparison, the iPhone SE 3’s 64 GB model had a starting price of $429 and was available in several color options.

Apple iPhone 16e vs. iPhone SE 3: time to upgrade?

For iPhone SE 3 owners considering an upgrade to the iPhone 16e, there are several compelling reasons to make the switch.

The most notable upgrade is the display. The iPhone 16e boasts a larger and more vibrant 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, which is a substantial enhancement over the smaller LCD screen found in the iPhone SE 3. Performance is also dramatically improved, thanks to the A18 chip, which offers significantly faster processing speeds, better graphics, and enhanced AI capabilities compared to the iPhone SE’s A15 Bionic chip.

The camera capabilities have seen significant advancements as well. The iPhone 16e features a 48MP primary camera that delivers superior image quality, improved low-light performance, and more advanced features when compared to the single 12MP lens of the iPhone SE 3.

Battery life is another major advantage of the iPhone 16e, providing substantially longer usage time than the older model. Furthermore, the iPhone 16e sports a more modern design, including an Action button and a USB-C port, aligning it with the latest iPhone models.

Overall, the iPhone 16e presents an attractive package for iPhone SE 3 owners looking for a significant upgrade.