Compact but full of surprises!

In the hands of iPhone 16E: compact, buffalo battery, A18 chip, OLED 60Hz, 48MP camera, Ultrawide and Magsafe, $ 600 worth considering in 2025.

When Apple launched iPhone 16E not long ago, many of us expect this to be a cheap replacement version for iPhone SE – a 10,000,000 VND phone as before. But no, Apple made all surprises when launching a product at VND 16,990,000, 40% higher than expected, putting the iPhone 16E into the “half flagship” segment instead of a true cheap phone. After a week of experience, I have a lot of thought about this machine, but if I have to choose the most prominent bright spot, it is the battery life – one thing that rare iPhone in this price range is better.

Design: compact, familiar but lacking in color

iPhone 16E has a similar design to iPhone 14: flat aluminum frame, fits with a 6.1 -inch screen, and a very comfortable grip. This is not a small phone like an old iPhone SE, but it is still neat enough to use with one hand-something that many users love in an iPhone “entry-level”. The device has good finishing, IP68 waterproof, modern USB-C port, but only two simple color options: blurry and matte white. Lack of outstanding colors like red Product Red has seen on previous SE lines.

Battery: The largest highlight

The battery life of iPhone 16E is really a big surprise. With a battery of nearly 4000 mAh – larger than iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 – this is a rare compact iPhone with “buffalo” battery like the max series. I have tried streaming videos, playing games via mobile data and daily use, the results show that the battery of 16e pillars is longer than the standard iPhone 16, even when considering a larger battery capacity.

Apple achieved this thanks to three main factors:

• Larger battery capacity: As mentioned, the battery of nearly 4000 mAh is a step forward compared to previous generations.
• New C1 modem: This is the first 5G modem developed by Apple after many years of research and billions of dollars (including the acquisition of Intel’s modem). This modem is not only more compact but also saves outstanding energy, helps reduce battery consumption when connecting to the network. However, it does not support the Milimet (MMWave) wave for maximum 5G speed – but with a mid -range machine, this is not so important.
• Effective A18 chip: Despite being a “binned” version (reducing a GPU core compared to iPhone 16), A18 chip is still very powerful and optimizes energy for daily tasks.

As a result, the iPhone 16E brings a battery experience equal to large flagship models, but in a much more compact body. This is what ordinary users need in 2025: not the screen faster or more performance, but a phone that can be used all day long without worrying about charging.

Screen: OLED 60Hz, enough to use but not “already”

The iPhone 16E is equipped with a 6.1 -inch OLED screen, a significant upgrade compared to the LCD screen on the old SE series. Vivid colors, high contrast, but the maximum brightness only stops at 800 nits (compared to 1000 nits on iPhone 15/16), so when used in the intense sun, the screen is a bit difficult to see. The biggest minus point is that the scan frequency is only 60Hz. While Android rivals of the same price range have been popular with 120Hz screen, Apple still holds 60Hz for 16e – perhaps to distinguish it from the more advanced iPhone 16. For me, this is not too bothered, but if you are used to the smoothness of the high frequency screen, this will be a step back.

Camera: A lens, many regrets

iPhone 16E only has a 48MP single camera on the back – good enough to take sharp photos in bright conditions, even zoom 2x with sensor still gives good quality. No Ultrawide means that there is no macro or spatial video, and this is really a pity at $ 600. For many people, including those who are not familiar with photography, Ultrawide is a useful tool for wide scenes or small words on the product label. Video on 16E reaches 4K 60fps, good quality, but lack of anti-vibration sensor (sensor-shift stabilization)-an Apple’s advanced feature that helps stabilize images when shaking.

Confusing cuts: No Magsafe?

One of Apple’s most confusing decisions is to remove Magsafe on iPhone 16E. Magsafe – With the ability to attach charging magnetic charging and convenient accessories – has become the standard on iPhone from iPhone 12. The lack of it on a 600 USD machine makes the wireless charging experience return to the slow Qi period (7.5W) and does not guarantee accurate alignment. Apple may have sacrificed Magsafe to make room for a bigger battery, but looking at the fragile magnet system on iPhone 14, I don’t believe this is the only reason. Perhaps this is a product decentralization strategy, pushing users to more expensive models if they want Magsafe. The more strange thing is that even the genuine case of 16E does not integrate Magsafe – an opportunity to earn extra money that Apple ignored.

In addition, 16E also lacks Ultra Wide chip (used to find AIRTAG) and the new generation Ceramic Shield glass (only used the old version like the iPhone 15) but this is not a big problem for the majority of users.

Who should buy iPhone 16E?

At VND 16,990,000 for the 128GB version, iPhone 16E is no longer a “cheap king” like the previous SE line. It is suitable for those who are using old iPhone (such as iPhone 11, 12) want to upgrade to a more modern, compact device, buffalo battery, Face ID and Action Button convenient. But if you need Magsafe, a more versatile camera, or simply want a better value, iPhone 15 (or even 15 Pro refurbished) may be a more considerable choice at the same price.