Apple launched the budget smartphone "iPhone 16e" in South Korea on the 28th. This is the first new budget product released in three years since the iPhone SE3 in 2022. The iPhone 16e supports the same 48-megapixel camera and artificial intelligence (AI) service "Apple Intelligence" features as the iPhone 16. The same A18 processor used in the iPhone 16 series is applied, allowing it to run high-spec games without any issues.
However, due to its budget status, features such as wireless charging "MagSafe" and image stabilization during shooting have been omitted. It felt disappointing that the price of a budget product is approaching 1 million won. I tried using the iPhone 16e directly.
◇ High-quality shooting with iPhone 16 level camera... High-spec games with A18 chipset
The appearance and size of the iPhone 16e are similar to its predecessor, the iPhone 14. It features the front "notch" design that disappeared with the iPhone 14. The width of the iPhone 16e is 71.5 mm, the height is 146.7 mm, and the thickness is 7.8 mm, the same as the iPhone 14. However, it weighs 167 g, which is 5 g lighter than the iPhone 14 and 3 g lighter than the iPhone 16. The back features a gloss design for the iPhone 14, while the iPhone 16e has a matte finish. It is available in only two colors, white and black, making the options somewhat limited.
The rear camera consists of only one lens, similar to the iPhone SE model. However, unlike the iPhone SE series, where all models had 12-megapixel cameras, the iPhone 16e has a 48-megapixel rear camera, allowing for high-quality photos and videos. Like the iPhone 16, it also offers a maximum 10x zoom feature. Satisfactory quality photos could be taken unless the objects were excessively far away.
The application of the same mobile chipset (AP) A18 as in the iPhone 16 is also an advantage. High-end racing games could be executed without any issues. During gameplay, there were no pixelation or application (app) freezing issues. Although it has a 4-core Graphy processing unit (GPU), which has one less core than the iPhone 16 GPU, there was no noticeable performance difference.
◇ Apple Intelligence support starting in April... Longer video playback time than iPhone 16
Thanks to the high-performance AP, it can implement the artificial intelligence (AI) feature "Apple Intelligence." As Apple Intelligence will start offering Korean service from April, it could serve as a significant purchasing factor. It allows for features like an automatic email writing tool and the ability to erase unnecessary subjects from photos, along with an enhanced understanding Siri.
Battery efficiency has also improved. The iPhone 16e is the first model to apply Apple's self-developed 5G modem (a component used for transmitting and receiving network signals) chip "C1." The C1 chip increases power efficiency, raising the maximum video playback time to 26 hours, 4 hours longer than the iPhone 16 (22 hours). The battery capacity is also ample at 3961 mAh, compared to the iPhone 16 (3521 mAh).
◇ No fast wireless charging, image stabilization, or cinematic shooting features
However, it was disappointing that many key features available on the iPhone 16 are not supported. In particular, the absence of the wireless charging feature "MagSafe" and the 25W fast wireless charging function felt significant. With slower charging, the charger must be connected for longer than with the iPhone 16. The stabilization feature for video and photo shooting to prevent shaking, as well as the "cinematic" feature for creating movie-like videos, has also been omitted.
Despite this, the price is 990,000 won, which is not significantly different from the regular iPhone 16 model (128GB) priced at 1.25 million won. It is more than 300,000 won more expensive than the iPhone SE3, released three years ago (with a launch price of 660,000 won for the 128GB model). Currently, the maximum public support funds for the iPhone 16, based on the 128GB model, are 550,000 won, while the public support fund for the iPhone 16e is 250,000 won. This implies that purchasing the regular iPhone 16 may be a better option.