Is the iPhone 16e Truly an Affordable iPhone? Let’s Find Out!

Apple has recently introduced a new model with its iPhone 16 series, named iPhone 16e. This phone has been introduced as Apple’s entry-level offering, starting at ₹ 59,900. Apple claims that this phone is for users who want the experience of a modern iPhone, but want to avoid paying a premium price. But is the iPhone 16e really a cheap iPhone? Or is it just a marketing stunt? Let’s investigate regarding this low cost iPhone below.

I have checked the phone and I personally feel that iPhone 16e at price of ₹59,900 is not an Affordable phone. Instead iPhone 15 is a better choice as it comes in 5 color options, offers dual camera setup at rear side, dynamic island display, and compact & handy design. Its premium look and feel truly make it stand out as an iPhone and can be purchased under ₹60,000 from Amazon, Flipkart, and Croma online mobile selling stores with 1 year brand warranty!

Apart from that, if you just want to experience the Apple ecosystem, then iPhone 14 is also not a bad option which offers same type of display and features and priced around  ₹55,000. On Apple.com, the iPhone 14 links removed, but you can buy it from other online stores at discounted price!

People were expecting that Apple will launch iPhone SE 4, but instead Apple decided to launch an affordable phone having minimum 6 inch display and then announced the new and powerful iPhone 16e which comes with A18 chip and loaded with built in Apple Intelligence.

Key features of iPhone 16e

The iPhone 16e has been launched with Apple’s new A18 chipset, which makes it fast and efficient. This phone comes with a Super Retina XDR OLED display, which performs well in color and detail. In the camera section, this phone offers a 48MP main camera, which can be a very good option for photography enthusiasts. In addition, the iPhone 16e uses a USB-C port, which is in line with industry and regulatory changes in recent years. This phone also features action button (above the volume buttons) and a fast speed 8 RAM compared to previous entry-level iPhones.

However, Apple has left out some features in this phone to keep the price low. For example, the iPhone 16e does not have features like telephoto lens and dynamic island. Instead, this phone comes with a notch design, which has been used in iPhones for the last few years (iPhone 11, 12, 13, and iPhone 14). Apart from this, this phone is available only in Black and White color options, which may be disappointing for some users.

Is the iPhone 16e really cheap?

When we look at the price and features of the iPhone 16e, the question arises whether this phone is really cheap? At a price of ₹ 59,900, the iPhone 16e falls in the category of mid-range smartphones in the Indian market. However, even at this price, the phone is missing some features that are present in its competitors. For example, this phone has only one rear camera, while many other smartphones available at this price offer dual or triple camera setup. Apart from this, the outdated notch design and limited color options may also disappoint some users.

Although the iPhone 16e comes with the latest A18 chip (a big plus) that doesn’t make it the best because if you go with the A16 or A17 chips they are also fast enough and you won’t feel any lag while using the phone.

In India, the definition of affordable phones is considered to be those phones that are priced between Rs 7,000 and Rs 10,000. The phones ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000 are called mid-range phones, and phones ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 60,000 are called flagship phones and beyond Rs 60,000 to Rs 1 Lakh or 1.50 Lakh called premium flagship smartphones and Apple brand comes in premium segment.

Now if we go with this price segment, the iPhone 16e doesn’t look affordable at all. It could be a low cost iPhone, but can’t be an affordable as they advertised.

Still if you have budget of Rs 60,000 then iPhone 15 is far better option, packed with up-to-date features and fast enough to complete day-to-day tasks. If we compare it to the iPhone 15, the iPhone 16e seems to be behind in some cases. The iPhone 15 comes with a dynamic island feature, which is more modern and functional than the notch design. Apart from this, the iPhone 15 has a dual camera setup and is available in 5 color options, which makes it more attractive. So, if you are choosing between the iPhone 16e and the iPhone 15, the iPhone 15 may be a better option.

Target audience of iPhone 16e

The iPhone 16e is designed for users who want to be a part of Apple’s ecosystem, but want to avoid paying a premium price. The phone offers access to services like Apple TV+, Apple Music, and Apple Arcade, which could be a big draw for Apple users. Plus, with the A18 chipset and increased RAM, the phone is more than capable enough for everyday tasks and gaming.

But guys, even if you get the iPhone 15 from online stores, you will still access above mentioned features or applications in one go at the same price as the iPhone 16e. The iPhone 15 offers a premium feel, and iPhone 16e gives a feel of cheapness. After spending a high amount you you wouldn’t want to hear comments from friends questioning its quality!

Conclusion

The iPhone 16e has been positioned by Apple as a cheaper iPhone, but at a price of ₹59,900, this phone may not be affordable for everyone. While the phone does offer an affordable way to be part of Apple’s ecosystem, some of its shortcomings leave it behind its competitors. If you want a premium experience, it would be better to consider the iPhone 15 or its higher models. But if you want to go entry-level into Apple’s ecosystem, the iPhone 16e could be an option but still other old generation models are better like iPhone 14 and iPhone 15.

As such, the iPhone 16e is a mixed bag that could be perfect for some users, while disappointing for others. Ultimately, it depends on your needs and budget to decide if this phone is right for you.