My mate Charlie called me last week: he was so very excited that he’d found his daughter a “cheap iPhone”. “Six hundred quid for the iPhone 16E,” he said. “That’s budget, right?” I broke the news to him gently; six hundred pounds isn’t pocket change these days. But, having used Apple’s new entry-level phone for three weeks, I have a funny feeling Charlie’s daughter is going to be quite a happy camper with what she gets for her money.
The iPhone 16E, which was launched on 28 February 2025, and it’s already causing a storm. Apple’s calling it the most affordable device in the iPhone 16 family, though that’s akin to saying the BMW 3 Series will be the cheapest BMW you can buy: technically accurate, but still a substantial investment.
What You Actually Get for Your Money
This one came out of the blue in the middle of February, to be honest. You could pre-order it right away, and it started showing up in stores at the end of the month. The basic 128GB version is 600 quid. It’s meant to slot in where the iPhone 14 used to be, but honestly, it feels more like a stripped-back iPhone 16. Here’s the thing: this isn’t your average budget phone. Under the hood, the iPhone 16E features the same A18 chip that runs the standard iPhone 16.
That’s true flagship performance in a wallet-friendly package. I tried it side by side with my iPhone 15 Pro, and really, in day-to-day use you’d likely be hard-pressed to even notice a difference. The cameras are where Apple made the biggest compromise. You get a single 48MP Fusion camera that acts as a “2-in-1” system with 2x optical-quality telephoto capability. Absent is the ultrawide lens that’s become a standard expectation among most people these days. My teenage nephew spotted it straight away; it’s all about the dramatic wide-angle shots for his Instagram stories.
Living With the iPhone 16E
For the past three weeks, I’ve also been testing the iPhone 16E as my day-to-day device. The 6.1-inch screen is brilliant (that’s the same Super Retina XDR OLED screen you’ll get on more expensive models). I was so engrossed in my Netflix movie on the train to work that for a minute it not only felt like I’d forgotten that I wasn’t using the “budget” model. The battery’s been brilliant, honestly. Apple says it’ll do around 26 hours of video, which, to be fair, sounds mental but isn’t so very wrong, either.
I’ve been hammering the phone daily: constant WhatsApps, scrolling Instagram like a true junkie, listening to podcasts on the commute, and a weekly guilt trip FaceTime with mum. Most days, there was still juice left at bedtime. So much better than my mate’s iPhone 15, which is dead by teatime. Build quality feels exactly like that of a more expensive iPhone. That’s the same aerospace-grade aluminium frame as the one on your current iPhone, the same Ceramic Shield front glass. Drop it, which I have, of course, while exiting the car, and it survives just fine.
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The Apple Intelligence Question
There is also Apple Intelligence support and it is one of the biggest features. The iPhone 16E runs the full suite of AI features that Apple’s been banging on about. Writing support, photo cleanup, better Siri, it has everything. However, I am still waiting for these features to feel truly essential rather than merely clever party tricks. My sister borrowed my iPhone 16E for a weekend and she was impressed with the photo editing features.
The Magic Eraser-style feature was particularly well-suited for removing the random tourists from holiday snaps of her. “Good and handy,” she said, high praise from someone who generally stays with the same phone for years.
What’s Not So Great
Right, time for some honesty. No wide-angle camera means you can’t get those epic landscape shots or fit your entire extended family in one photo. Proper annoying if you’re used to having that option. Wireless charging’s a bit rubbish too, as it takes ages compared to the pricier models. And forget about MagSafe entirely, though normal wireless charging still works if you’re not in a rush.
You’re stuck with that old-school notch instead of the fancy Dynamic Island. Doesn’t bother me much, but some people think it looks proper dated now. Storage choices are decent enough: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB. No massive 1TB option, but let’s be honest; most of us don’t need that much anyway unless we’re filming documentaries.
Who Should Buy the iPhone 16E?
This phone makes sense for specific situations. First-time iPhone buyers switching from Android will find it a brilliant introduction to Apple’s ecosystem. The performance is excellent, the camera takes lovely photos in good light, and you get years of software updates. Parents buying phones for teenagers should consider it seriously. It’s got all the social media capabilities kids want, decent durability, and parental controls that actually work.
My colleague bought one for his 16-year-old son and hasn’t heard any complaints. Anyone upgrading from an iPhone 11 or older will notice a massive improvement in every area. The camera quality jump alone justifies the cost.
The Reality Check
Six hundred pounds still feels steep for a “budget” phone, especially when brilliant Android alternatives exist for half the price. But Apple’s never competed on price alone. You’re paying for the ecosystem, the software updates, and yes, the brand cachet. The iPhone 16E launched with iOS 18.3 and supports Apple Intelligence, putting it on equal footing with much pricier models for core features. That’s significant value if you’re already invested in Apple’s world of MacBooks, iPads, and AirPods.
Bottom Line
Look, this isn’t going to change your life or anything. It’s just a decent phone that doesn’t cost the earth; well, relatively speaking for Apple. The single camera might wind you up if you’re used to having options, and six hundred quid still hurts the wallet. But Apple’s made something that’ll keep most people happy without forcing them to remortgage the house. Would I recommend it? Depends entirely on your situation.
If you want the iPhone experience without paying flagship prices, the iPhone 16E delivers. Just don’t expect it to feel like a budget device, because at £599, it really isn’t one. Charlie’s daughter got her iPhone 16E last week. She’s absolutely over the moon with it, which proves that sometimes the “entry-level” option is more than good enough.
