After many months of leaks, Apple finally launched the iPhone 16e yesterday. The device actually replaces the iPhone SE in favor of a new moniker that’s more closely tied to the flagship line, perhaps as a way to justify its notably higher price than previous models. That said, despite its name, there are certain features from the iPhone 16 series omitted in the new iPhone 16e, such as mmWave 5G support.
Apple touts that the iPhone 16e offers the iPhone 16 series experience at a lower price. This is true for some key aspects, like the processor and Apple Intelligence support that the vanilla and Plus iPhone 15 variants completely lack. However, it doesn’t measure up in some aspects like connectivity, GPU power, and even camera quality/features. One of the most glaring omissions is MagSafe, losing access to the wide ecosystem of accessories available.
iPhone 16 series mmWave 5G support is missing on the latest iPhone 16e
Insiders and tipsters revealed the implementation of Apple’s first self-designed 5G modem in the iPhone 16e—formerly known as the iPhone SE 4—last year. Reports at the time even warned that the component would lack mmWave technology. The leaks turned out to be true, so the latest “affordable” iPhone does not support the fastest 5G speeds available in certain areas or cities.
Regardless, Apple claims that its C1 modem offers “fast and reliable 5G cellular connectivity.” The Cupertino-based company also claims that it is the most energy-efficient modem seen in any iPhone. It also features satellite communication support like the flagship models.
Reports from December also revealed that the modem supports four-carrier aggregation instead of six. Basically, this means that it offers less bandwidth for data transmission than Qualcomm’s modems in other iPhones. We will have to wait for real-world tests to see how much these omissions affect daily use.
Still, Apple is reportedly aiming to surpass Qualcomm’s modems by 2027, even in terms of performance. Only time will tell if the firm achieves such an ambitious goal.
Wi-Fi is also downgraded, but you may not notice it
There’s another connectivity feature from the iPhone 16 series that’s been dropped on the iPhone 16e. Apple’s latest smartphone supports Wi-Fi 6 instead of the Wi-Fi 7 technology. That said, this may be the least noticeable downgrade in terms of daily use.
The iPhone 16e costs $599 in the US, which is $99 less than the vanilla iPhone 15’s price tag ($699). Because of the features omitted from the latest model, many are now considering purchasing the 2023 device. The iPhone 15 offers better camera quality, more powerful connectivity, a more modern design, and MagSafe support, among other things. On the other hand, the iPhone 16e has a couple of advantages: a more powerful chip and access to Apple Intelligence.
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple discontinued the 2022 iPhone 14.