Beginning at $599, the iPhone 16e prices lower than an iPhone 15. As you’ll see on this iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 15 comparability, Apple admittedly (and unavoidably) minimize some corners whereas making its latest finances telephone. Nevertheless, the iPhone 16e additionally flexes some muscle groups the iPhone 15 can’t.
So, do you have to save your cash and get the iPhone 16e or spend the additional $100 for the iPhone 15? Discover out on this comparability.
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iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 15 comparability
Surprisingly, the iPhone 15 prices $100 greater than the iPhone 16e. The latter packs higher internals and helps Apple Intelligence, which the iPhone 15 misses out on. However when you look previous the AI options, the iPhone 15 provides some benefits to justify its $100 price ticket.
If you’re in search of a brand new midrange iPhone, do you have to get the iPhone 16e or spend additional for the iPhone 15?
Desk of contents: iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 15 comparability
Design
Screenshot: Apple
- iPhone 16e: 146.7 mm x 71.5 mm x 7.8 mm; 167 grams; IP68, aerospace-grade aluminum with glass again, Ceramic Defend (entrance), Motion button, Face ID
- iPhone 15: 147.6 mm x 71.6 mm x 7.8 mm; 171 grams; IP68, aerospace-grade aluminum, Ceramic Defend, Face ID
The iPhone 16e and iPhone 15 sport the identical design language, with some minor variations. On the entrance, the iPhone 16e contains a notch, whereas the iPhone 15 makes use of a Dynamic Island. On the rear, Apple’s latest member of the iPhone 16 lineup sports activities a single rear digicam. In distinction, the iPhone 15 contains a dual-camera setup organized diagonally inside a glossy-finished digicam island.
Apple sells the iPhone 16e in black and white colours, whereas the iPhone 15 is available in 5 shades, enhanced by its color-infused glass again. The previous additionally ditches the Ring/Silent swap in favor of a customizable Motion button.
Show: iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 15 comparability
Photograph: Apple
- iPhone 16e: 6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR show, 2,532 x 1,170 pixels, 60Hz refresh price, Haptic Contact, True Tone, HDR10, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, 800 nits typical brightness, 1,200 nits peak brightness, twin ambient gentle sensors
- iPhone 15: 6.1-inch Tremendous Retina XDR show, 2,556 x 1,179 pixels, 60Hz refresh price, Haptic Contact, True Tone, Dynamic Island, HDR10, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, 1,000 nits typical brightness, 2,000 nits peak brightness, twin ambient gentle sensors
Each iPhones pack a 6.1-inch show, although (as talked about) the iPhone 15 contains a Dynamic Island. The iPhone 16e settles with an iPhone 13-style notch. Regardless of being launched 1.5 years after the iPhone 15, the iPhone 16e’s show comes up brief on brightness (800 nits vs. the iPhone 15’s 1,000 nits). Whereas the iPhone 16e can hit a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, the iPhone 15 can go as much as 1,600 whereas displaying HDR content material and as excessive as 2,000 nits open air.
Different show features of the 2 telephones stay the identical: True Tone, HDR10, Dolby Imaginative and prescient assist, and a 60Hz refresh price. They each additionally use the first-generation Ceramic Defend as a canopy glass for show safety.
Processor and storage
- iPhone 16e: A18, 3nm fab, 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, 2x quicker 16-core Neural Engine, as much as 512GB storage
- iPhone 15: A16 Bionic, 4nm fab, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, as much as 512GB storage
Relating to processing energy and storage, the iPhone 16e trumps the iPhone 15. The latter makes use of an A16 chip, which debuted on the iPhone 14 Professional in September 2022. Fabricated on the 4nm node, the chip packs a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU. As compared, the iPhone 16e makes use of the identical A18 chip as present in different members of its household. The one catch is that the iPhone 16e makes use of a binned model of the SoC with one fewer GPU core.
Apple says the A18’s CPU is 30% quicker, whereas the GPU brings a 40% uplift. The newer chip’s 16-core Neural Engine additionally runs as much as 2x quicker, dashing up synthetic intelligence and machine studying duties. Apple fabricates the A18 on TSMC’s cutting-edge 3nm node, making it extra power-efficient. The quicker SoC is paired with 8GB RAM — 2GB greater than the iPhone 15.
Extra importantly, the A18 chip and additional RAM means the iPhone 16e helps Apple Intelligence. None of Apple’s AI-powered options like Genmoji, Picture Playground and Writing Instruments work on the iPhone 15.
Digital camera
Photograph: Apple
- iPhone 16e: 48MP f/1.6 Fusion digicam, optical picture stabilization; Good HDR 5, Photonic Engine, True Tone flash, wind noise discount, Audio Combine; Entrance: 12MP digicam with f/1.9 aperture
- iPhone 15: 48MP f/1.6 digicam, sensor-shift stabilization; 12MP f/2.2 Extremely Huge; Good HDR 5, True Tone flash, Cinematic mode (4K HDR@30fps), Motion mode; Entrance: 12MP digicam with f/1.9 aperture, autofocus
The iPhone 16e contains a single 48MP rear digicam with an f/1.6 aperture, doubtless utilizing the identical sensor because the iPhone 15. The important thing variations are that the iPhone 15 consists of an Extremely Huge digicam and sensor-shift stabilization. (The iPhone 16e makes use of optical picture stabilization, which isn’t as efficient.) The brand new finances iPhone additionally misses out on Motion mode, macro capabilities, Cinematic mode, and next-generation portraits with focus management.
On the plus facet, the iPhone 16e helps wind noise discount, Audio Combine and spatial audio recording.
The entrance digicam on each iPhones is identical: a 12MP f/1.9 shooter.
Connectivity: iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 15
Picture: Apple
- iPhone 16e: Sub-6Ghz 5G, Emergency SOS through satellite tv for pc, Roadside Help through satellite tv for pc, Messages through satellite tv for pc, high-dynamic-range gyro, Crash Detection, twin eSIM slots, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, USB-C (USB 2 at 480Mbps)
- iPhone 15: mmWave 5G, Emergency SOS with satellite tv for pc, Roadside Help through satellite tv for pc, high-dynamic-range gyro, Crash Detection, twin eSIM slots, second-gen Extremely Wideband chip, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, USB-C (USB 2 at 480Mbps)
The iPhone 16e is the primary system in Apple’s steady to make use of its in-house 5G modem. Apple calls the C1 the “most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone.” However there’s a catch: The baseband solely helps sub-6GHz 5G. It doesn’t assist the quicker mmWave 5G normal, which the iPhone 15 does. For many individuals, this can show irrelevant, although, because of the lack of widespread mmWave 5G protection.
Not like the remainder of the iPhone 16 household, the iPhone 16e helps the older Wi-Fi 6 normal (similar because the iPhone 15). The iPhone 16e lacks an Extremely Wideband chip, so it can’t be used for AirTag Precision Discovering, Apple Automobile keys and different associated options. That’s a definite drawback when pitting the iPhone 16 vs. the iPhone 15.
Different connectivity features are the identical between the 2 iPhones, together with assist for emergency satellite tv for pc companies.
Battery life
- iPhone 16e: As much as 26 hours of video playback, as much as 90 hours of audio playback; 7.5W Qi wi-fi charging assist
- iPhone 15: As much as 20 hours of video playback, as much as 80 hours of audio playback; 15W MagSafe and Qi2 wi-fi charging assist
In addition to packing a quicker A18 chip, the iPhone 16e additionally lasts considerably longer than the iPhone 15. Primarily based on Apple’s battery life specs, the most recent member of the iPhone 16 household can present six additional hours of video playback vs. the iPhone 15.
One of many causes behind the iPhone 16e’s spectacular battery life is Apple’s C1 modem. The corporate proudly claims it’s the “most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone.” This may come at the price of lacking mmWave connectivity, however many individuals will worth the longer battery life.
A significant bummer with the iPhone 16e is the shortage of MagSafe assist. It is just Qi-compatible, with wi-fi charging speeds capped at 7.5W. The iPhone 15 fares higher and might wirelessly prime up its battery at twice the velocity. Each telephones assist wired quick charging over USB-C with a 20W or increased energy adapter.
Worth
- iPhone 16e: Begins at $599 for 128GB storage
- iPhone 15: Begins at $699 for 128GB storage
Conclusion: iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 15
The iPhone 15 provides loads of extras to justify its $100 increased price ticket over the iPhone 16e. You get a secondary rear digicam, extra shade choices, quicker 5G assist and a brighter show. However there’s a giant detrimental: It lacks Apple Intelligence assist.
Apple’s AI options could not appear groundbreaking but. However as the corporate continues to refine and increase them, they need to enhance considerably. Because of this alone, it appears onerous to suggest the iPhone 15 over the iPhone 16e.
When you can spend an additional $100 on prime of the iPhone 16e, you must take into account including one other $100 and buying the iPhone 16 as an alternative. You may undergo our iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 16 comparability to determine on this.
Purchase now
iPhone 15: Apple | Finest Purchase
iPhone 16e: Apple | Finest Purchase
Entry-level excellence
iPhone 16e
Apple’s finances entry within the iPhone 16 lineup is the primary system to make use of Apple’s environment friendly C1 modem. It delivers lengthy battery life and Face ID however skimps on key options, together with MagSafe.
- Excessive-end Apple design at a lower cost level
- Apple C1 modem
- Longer battery life than different iPhone 16 fashions
- No MagSafe, Dynamic Island or Extremely Wideband chip
- Solely two colours: black and white