iPhone 16E: Buy It Now or Wait for the iPhone 17?
Apple’s latest phone, $599 iPhone 16ewith the company’s usual September release schedule breaking, and will be released on Friday, February 28. Actually, you can Book 16e Now. The new iPhone offers a unique appeal: Get some of the best features of iPhone 16 (48-megapixel camera, iOS 18 and A18 chips for Apple Intelligentence), for under $799 iPhone 16. This makes the iPhone 16e basically a zoomed version of the iPhone 16 Lack of certain functionsjust like MagSafe charging and a second rear camera to keep the price low.
but iPhone 16e Not the only phone number Apple has released this year. We expect iPhone 17 Launched in September. Rumors suggest it may get a new ultra-thin design. This raises the question: Should you buy the iPhone 16e now or wait for six months to buy the iPhone 17?
Unfortunately, the answer is: it depends.
Watch the following: iPhone 16e is here
iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 17: Today
The iPhone 16e was originally the cheaper version of the iPhone 16.
The difference between the iPhone 16e is that although it is Apple’s most affordable phone (before carrier discounts and deals) than the company’s previous cheaper phones (before carrier discounts and deals) iPhone SE in 2022. The 16E’s goal is for those who want to get the latest and cheapest iPhones, all the Apple privileges they expect, such as good cameras, services like iMessage and FaceTime, and years of value for software upgrades.
The iPhone 16e carries the old mantle of the iPhone SE and uses part of the old iPhone to create an affordable price. For example, the screen and body of 16e are iPhone 14 It has the same processor as the iPhone 16. On the surface, the 16E is almost an upgrade to the previous iPhone SE. The iPhone 16e was released at the end of February. However, if you want the iPhone 17, you have to wait because it doesn’t exist.
Apple has not announced the iPhone 17 yet, and you cannot pre-order it yet. The next iPhone is just a bunch of rumors that draw a picture of a fabulous new phone that is better than what is available now. However, Apple will release the iPhone 17 in half a year from now in September. For me, I haven’t come across a call worth a six-month wait, so I’m not going to wait 17.
iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 17: September 2025
The iPhone 17 has not been announced yet. In this photo, we used the iPhone 16 Pro and put the number 17 behind it because there are no photos of Apple’s unreleased phones.
The new iPhone 16e for iPhone 17 won’t? I don’t know, because Apple hasn’t announced anything yet.
But we can take a look at some of them iPhone 17 rumor And assume why it might be worth it or not to wait for six months. The biggest rumor is that Apple may debut with an extremely thin design of new iPhone models, such as information. Nicknamed the iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 17 Slim, it will have the usual annual additions such as new processors and new software, but its main appeal may be its new design.
Every phone released by Apple since 2020 looks like iPhone 12 In addition to the iPhone SE, there are flat sides. The same iPhone 12 design can be seen in the iPhone 16 series, including the new iPhone 16e. Although many Apple enthusiasts want an iPhone with a truly new design, What does Apple logic retain effective For a large number of iPhone users.
this Thin design of iPhone 17 Air Slots are available between the 6.1-inch screens on the iPhone 16 and 16 E and between the 6.1-inch screens on the 6.9-inch display on the 16 Pro Max. According to famous analysts Ming-Chi Kuo.
But even if the iPhone 17 is out today, it works for an affordable iPhone 16e.
iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 17: Budget or flagship?
The iPhone 16E is the only phone Apple has to have a single rear camera.
The real complex factor in determining between Apple’s new cheap iPhone and its next unnotified flagship model is: Do you want to have a budget exchange for the iPhone 16? Or do you want one of Apple’s most expensive premium models? If so, then the real question should be whether you want an iPhone 16 or wait for an iPhone 17?
While the only thing we know about the iPhone 17 series is based on rumors, it may have a regular base model that starts at about $800, while the better Pro model starts at $1,000. Like the iPhone 16, the iPhone 17 has different value propositions and may target users who are different from the iPhone 16E.
It’s unclear whether Apple will release an affordable version of the iPhone 17 in 2026 – maybe the 17E? Compared to the annual updates received by Apple’s flagship lineup, the iPhone SE series is updated every two to three years.
Buy a phone number when needed
There is no doubt that the iPhone 16e will be the most affordable way to get an iPhone before carrier discounts and transactions.
Ultimately, if your current phone is broken or the screen is broken and you need to buy the phone right away, do it. Apple’s regular iPhone 16 is an amazing choice, and although we haven’t tested the iPhone 16e yet, on paper, it’s a stable budget phone for most people.
If you are upgrading your carrier, things can get even more tricky. The six-month wait is long, especially for phones, which Apple didn’t even announce or tell us. However, if your current phone is working properly, keep upgrading until September and then reevaluate your situation.
Apple iPhone 16e Specs vs. iPhone 16, iPhone SE (2022), iPhone 15
| Apple iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 | iPhone SE (2022) | iPhone 15 | |
| Display size, technology, resolution, refresh rate | 6.1-inch OLED display; 2,532×1,170 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate | 6.1-inch OLED display; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate | 4.7-inch LCD; 1,334×750 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate |
| Pixel density | 460ppi | 460ppi | 326pi | 460ppi |
| Dimensions (in inches) | 5.78×2.82×0.31 | 5.81×2.82×0.31 | 5.45×2.65×0.29 | 2.82×5.81×0.31 |
| Dimensions (mm) | 146.7×71.5×7.8 | 147.6×71.6×7.8 | 138.4×67.3×7.3 | 71.6×147.6×7.8 |
| weight | 167g (5.88 oz) | 170g (6 oz) | 144g (5.09oz) | 171G (6.02oz) |
| Mobile software | iOS 18 | iOS 18 | iOS 15 | iOS 17 |
| camera | 48 megapixels (width) | 48 megapixels (width), 12 megapixels (speeding) | 12 megapixels (width) | 48 megapixels (width), 12 megapixels (speeding) |
| Front camera | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels | 7 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Video Capture | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| processor | Apple A18 | Apple A18 | Apple A15 Bionic | Apple A16 Bionic |
| RAM/Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Scalable storage | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing |
| Battery | Up to 26 hours of video playback, 21 hours of streaming video playback, and 90 hours of audio playback. 20W wired charging, 7.5W QI wireless charging | Up to 22 hours of video playback; up to 18 hours of video playback (stream). 20W wired charging. Magsafe wireless charging up to 25W with adapters of 30W or higher; QI2 up to 15W | Battery size not disclosed (excluding charger; wireless charging is supported) | Not disclosed; Apple says up to 20 hours of video playback (16 hours of streaming) |
| Fingerprint sensor | No (face ID) | No (face ID) | Home button | No (face ID) |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | lightning | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing |
| Special features | Action button, Apple C1 5G modem, Apple Smart, Ceramic Shield, Emergency SOS, Satellite Connection, IP68 Resistor | Apple Smart, Action Buttons, Camera Control Buttons, Dynamic Island, 1 to 2,000 column display brightness range, IP68 resistor. Color: black, white, pink, blue, super master. | 5G enabled; supports 25W wired fast charging; waterproof (IP67); dual SIMS functions (nano SIM and E-SIM); wireless charging | Dynamic Island; 5G (MMW/sub6); magsafe; waterproof (IP68); wireless charging; Esim; satellite connectivity |
| US prices from | $599 (128GB), $699 (256GB), $899 (512GB) | $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB) | $399 (64GB), $449 (128GB), $549 (256GB) | $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB) |
| UK prices from | £599 (128GB), £699 (256GB), £899 (512GB) | £799 (128GB), £899 (256GB), £1,099 (512GB) | £419 (64GB), £469 (128GB), £569 (256GB) | £799 (128GB), £899 (256GB), £1,099 (512GB) |
| Prices from Australia | AU $999 (128GB), AU $1,199 (256GB), AU $1,549 (512GB) | AU $1,399 (128GB), AU $1,599 (256GB), AU $1,949 (512GB) | My price is $749 (64GB), I $829 (128GB), my $999 (256GB) | AU $1,499 (128GB), AU $1,699 (256GB), AU $2,049 (512GB) |
