Buying guides
Which iPhone should you buy?
Our current recommendations, from the best value to the best camera, and the models we would skip.
iPhone
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iPhone 16e
Apple’s cheapest current iPhone keeps the important things — a fast chip, Face ID and a good main camera — and drops MagSafe and the second camera.
Our score8.0 / 10
Released2025
Launch price$599
Our take
Apple’s cheapest current iPhone keeps the important things — a fast chip, Face ID and a good main camera — and drops MagSafe and the second camera.
For phones we look past launch-week impressions: battery health after a year of daily charging, how the camera handles indoor and low-light shots, and whether the software keeps the phone feeling quick.
Pros
- Excellent battery life
- Fast A18 chip
- Apple C1 modem performs well
Cons
- No MagSafe
- Single camera, notch instead of Dynamic Island
Specifications
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz |
|---|---|
| Chip | A18 |
| Rear camera | 48MP Fusion |
| Modem | Apple C1 |
| Biometrics | Face ID |
| Port | USB-C |
Mentioned in
8.0Reviews
iPhone 16e review: the sensible iPhone
A fast chip, Face ID and very good battery life at a lower price. What you give up is mostly easy to live with.
Opinion
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