To absolutely nobody’s surprise, the newly launched iPhone 16e is missing features found in higher-end models. But what exactly did Apple exclude from this stripped-down version of the iPhone 16? The two models have quite a lot in common — the same size screen, general design, A18 chip and more. But many secondary features don’t appear in the cheaper model.
Check this list of all the missing features in the iPhone 16e before deciding to buy Apple’s budget handset. You might not be able to live without some of them.
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iPhone 16e missing features list
The iPhone 16e replaces the budget iPhone SE 3, but follows a new design philosophy. Apple’s cheaper handsets used to be moderately updated versions of older models. Instead, the iPhone 16e is based on one of Apple’s latest models — but with many noncritical features removed.
The iPhone 16e starts at $599, a hefty price hike over the now-discontinued iPhone SE 3. Still, that’s $200 less than the iPhone 16, which starts at $799. To reach the lower price point, Apple needed to eliminate some things.
Ultra Wide camera
Perhaps the most visible of the iPhone 16e’s missing features is the Ultra Wide camera. The new model boasts a single, very capable 48-megapixel rear camera but no Ultra Wide. That means no wide-angle images, which work wonders when taking pictures of large groups of people or trying to capture expansive scenery in the great outdoors. If you’re wondering is iPhone 16 worth it, this guide breaks down its strengths and trade-offs.
Still, there’s reason to question how much use the Ultra Wide actually gets. Plus, its wide-angle shots can warp images, making straight lines look curvy. So for most people, this might night seem like a big deal.
Dynamic Island
Like the iPhones of old, the iPhone 16e comes with a screen cutout for its front-facing 12MP camera and Face ID sensors. Pricier iPhones come with the Dynamic Island, which Apple introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro. Many people find the Dynamic Island slightly less intrusive — and in fact, the interactive UI element can prove very useful for multitasking.
Camera Control
Every other model in the iPhone 16 series comes with the Camera Control. This touch-sensitive button triggers the camera and lets you zoom in, adjust exposure and tweak other settings. But not on iPhone 16e, because that novel piece of hardware goes missing on the budget model. While the Camera Control can prove useful, many people won’t miss it.
Color options
Some buyers will definitely miss the iPhone 16’s range of color options. Apple’s new budget handset comes in either black or white, and that’s it. The regular iPhone 16 comes in five color options, including teal, pink, and an eye-popping ultramarine. If you’re curious about how it compares in pricing, you might want to check the iPhone 16 Plus price to see if the additional features justify the cost.
A missing GPU core
As noted, both the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16e run on an Apple A18 chip. So what’s missing? Although the CPU cores are identical, the iPhone 16e comes with only four GPU cores, while the standard version packs five. Fewer cores could make multimedia slightly slower on the budget model.
Downgraded display
Without going into detail, Apple says the regular iPhone 16 uses a “latest-generation Ceramic Shield front.” The budget model apparently uses an older version of this protective glass to cover its touchscreen. In other words, it’s somewhat less robust.
Speaking of the displays, the maximum typical brightness for the iPhone 16 reaches 1,000 nits, while the 16e reaches only 800 nits. And outdoors, the standard version can get way up to 2,000 nits, a trick the cheaper one can’t match.
Differences in wireless features: iPhone 16e is missing advanced connectivity options
Apple upgraded the wireless networking speeds and reliability of its pricier iPhones with Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 6E. Not so the budget model — it remains on Wi‑Fi 6. Plus, the iPhone 16e lacks an ultra-wideband chip, so it doesn’t support the handy Precision Finding feature in the Find My app for use with AirTags.
Smart home aficionados should know about Thread wireless mesh networking. Apple built a Thread radio into most recent iPhone models, but not the iPhone 16e.
MagSafe
We saved one of the biggest missing iPhone 16e features for last: It doesn’t come with MagSafe. While iPhone 16e can do wireless charging at 7.5W, it lacks the magnetic array to hold the phone to a MagSafe-compatible charging mat. That means no handy MagSafe charging stands and other accessories for this model (unless you add your own magnet).
iPhone 16e missing features: It’s all about balance
That’s a fairly long list of missing features in the iPhone 16e. Based on a side-by-side feature comparison, the iPhone 16 might seem the better option, but don’t forget that the iPhone 16e costs $200 less.
It’s up to buyers to decide if the fancy features in the standard model justify paying more. And there’s one more thing to consider: battery life. Apple says the iPhone 16e lasts roughly 15% longer on a single charge, thanks in part to the highly efficient new C1 modem. (The iPhone 16e is the first model to include the C1, Apple’s first in-house modem.)
When you make up your mind, you can order an iPhone 16 now. Preorders for the iPhone 16e begin February 21, for a February 28 launch.
Apple's budget entry in the iPhone 16 lineup is the first device to use Apple's efficient C1 modem. It delivers long battery life and Face ID but skimps on key features, including MagSafe.
- High-end Apple design at a lower price point
- Apple C1 modem
- Longer battery life than other iPhone 16 models
- No MagSafe, Dynamic Island or Ultra Wideband chip
- Only two colors: black and white
