IPhone 16e Vs IPhone 16: These Are The Key Missing Features

Apple just launched the iPhone 16e as the most affordable smartphone in its current lineup—especially after discontinuing the iPhone 14. The Cupertino giant promises that the device offers the iPhone 16 experience at a lower price. As expected, there are missing perks here and there, although some omissions are considered excessive. Below, you will find the most notable iPhone 16 series’ features missing on the new iPhone 16e.

The iPhone 16e boasts the Apple A18 chip, as well as support for Apple Intelligence. The vanilla and Plus iPhone 15 models lack support for Apple’s AI-powered suite, which gives the latest model a plus. However, it seems that’s where the iPhone 16e’s key selling points end. App developer DylanMcD8 and tipster Cartidise have listed the main shortcomings of the new iPhone compared to the main iPhone 16 lineup.

The most surprising feature missing from the iPhone 16e is MagSafe support. There’s a wide ecosystem of accessories based on the magnetic system of the iPhones. Plus, the tech is not especially expensive to integrate. Removing it eliminates the option of using any MagSafe accessory natively. You can always buy a “MagSafe-equipped” case, but it’s not the same experience.

Some camera downgrades

Since the iPhone 16e has only one camera, there is no ultra-wide sensor. Leaks have revealed this for months, so there are few surprises here. However, many were expecting a better-quality camera on the device. Apple has cut costs by implementing a 1/2.55” sensor—the same as the iPhone 16 Pro’s ultra-wide lens. The sensor size is quite small for the device’s price range and also lacks sensor-shift OIS.

The iPhone 16e’s photography experience will likely be decent, but it won’t be like the iPhone SE models that offered almost the best camera quality in its segment. The vanilla iPhone 15 boasts a much larger and more capable sensor, as well as sensor-shift OIS. Plus, the 2023 model offers more photographic styles. The iPhone 16e also doesn’t feature the iPhone 16 series’ improved portrait mode.

Apple A18 chip, but weaker GPU

The iPhone 16e is powered by the Apple A18 chip, but its GPU has been nerfed. Apple has reduced the number of GPU cores from five to four, so the phone, while still powerful, is not as powerful as its more expensive siblings.

One downgrade that impacts the user experience the most is in the display. It’s not that the display has poor image quality, but Apple has capped the HBM brightness at 800 nits. This figure seems insufficient for outdoor use in sunlight. You’ll probably need to seek shade more than once to use the phone properly. Peak brightness tops out at 1,200 nits, but that applies to specific use cases (HDR playback on limited areas of the screen).

Related to the above, the iPhone 16e does not have the 1-nit minimum brightness of the iPhone 16 series. The low brightness levels of these devices are quite helpful when you’re using your phone in bed before going to sleep.

Some connectivity options removed

Apple has also dropped ultra-wideband chip support in its latest phone. That means you won’t be able to use the precise location feature of AirTags/AirPods. Plus, there’s no mmWave 5G support, so you won’t be able to enjoy the faster 5G speeds available in certain areas.

The iPhone 16 devices boast that they are among the few smartphones with a built-in Thread radio. However, the iPhone 16e breaks with this by ruling it out in another cost-cutting measure. Lastly, the new smartphone is equipped with WiFi 6 instead of WiFi 7—or even 6E. However, to be fair, the latter is probably the downgrade that potential buyers will notice the least.

The vanilla iPhone 15 could be a better alternative

Considering all the missing features on the iPhone 16e compared to the main iPhone 16 series, many fans are considering going for the 2023 iPhone 15. This particular model has an older chip and does not support Apple Intelligence. However, it is designed as a flagship model, so it outperforms the later iPhone in multiple ways. That said, the iPhone 15 is still about $99 more than the iPhone 16e. So, the decision depends on how much you are actually willing to spend.