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iPhone Face-Off: Does the 16e Really Outshine Its Predecessors
Upgrading your iPhone, are you? Considering the tantalizingly “new” iPhone 16e? Well, let’s put that decision under the spotlight because you might find that “new” is just an adjective if that jargon doesn’t come with meaningful upgrades. We’re lining up the iPhone 16e, 16, 15, peering into their souls in 2025 to see which truly shines, or just tries too hard.
Design: Déjà Vu Anyone?
When it comes to the design, it’s clear Cupertino’s sticking to its comfort zone. The iPhone 16e, 16, and 15 could be twins with their matte aluminum frames and glass backs. If you have a magnifying lens, you might spot the weight differences—167g for the 16e, 168g for the iPhone 16, and a “hefty” 170g for the iPhone 15. Drop any of them in 6 meters of water for half an hour, and they’ll all emerge unscathed. As for colors, the 16e plays it safe in black or white, while the 16 gets bolder with pink, teal, and ultramarine. The 15 adds a splash of green and blue to the mix.
iPhone 16e vs 16 vs 15 - spot the difference!
Display: Nits and Notches
All three models feature a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR—fancy jargon for OLED slapped with a seriously passé 60Hz refresh rate. Brightness? The 16e sadly kicks back in the shadows at 846 nits, while the 16 and 15 race ahead with an impressive 1060 and 1055 nits, respectively. Dynamic Island is the name of the game for the iPhone 16 and 15’s display—leaving the 16e stuck in 2021. Yes, the notch is still there, whispering nostalgia.
| Model | Refresh Rate | Max Brightness (nits) | Peak brightness (nits) | Design |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16e | 60Hz | 800 | 1200 | Notch |
| iPhone 16 | 60Hz | 1000 | 1600 | Dynamic Island |
| iPhone 15 | 60Hz | 1000 | 1600 | Dynamic Island |
Cameras: One Less Lens
The iPhone 16e remains steadfast with a single 48MP main camera—think Spartan but perhaps too minimalist. Compare this with its siblings—both the 16 and 15 sport an extra 12MP ultra-wide lens, broadening your horizons. Portrait mode on the 16e is about as useful as a chocolate teapot, futile past arm’s length.
| Model | Main camera | Ultra-wide Lens |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16e | 48MP | No |
| iPhone 16 | 48MP | 12MP |
| iPhone 15 | 48MP | 12MP |
Performance: Who Needs Extra Cores?
The heart of the iPhone 16e and the 16 is the A18 chip, but the 16e paddles along with one less GPU core. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 rocks the “vintage” A16 chip. RAM? A democratic spread of 8GB, save for the iPhone 15’s 6GB. In heavy-duty tasks like creative suites, the 16 rules the roost—perhaps too confidently, even eclipsing some pro models.
Pricing: Investment or Misstep?
So, does the price justify the trade-offs? The 16e crowns affordability at $599, but for $100 more, the iPhone 15 waves its more seasoned flag. Or, blow another $100 for the iPhone 16, promising more bang without breaking too much more buck.
Final Verdict
Pardon our candor, but the iPhone 16e brings the phrase “it’s the thought that counts” to mind at $599. If simplicity and size are your jams, great! Just don’t look too closely at what’s missing. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 stands, arms crossed, shouting value from the rooftops—delivering without the drama of the 16e’s downgrades. In 2025, if it’s choice or compromise, choose the iPhone 16 for a much more polished experience.