Apple’s newest iPhone is also the most affordable iPhone, but whether it’s the best value depends on which features you value. Apple still sells the iPhone 16 alongside the new iPhone 17e. Here’s how the two lowest-priced iPhones compare.
iPhone 17e has 2x storage, faster performance, longer battery life
At $599, Apple’s new iPhone 17e has twice as much storage, faster performance, and longer battery life than the iPhone 16 that Apple sells for $699.
Apple’s new iPhone 17e has 256GB storage with a 512GB storage option available for $200. iPhone 16 only comes with 128GB storage and costs $100 more.
iPhone 17e also runs on Apple’s latest A19 chip compared to the older A18 chip inside the iPhone 16. You save $100 and get a newer processor. Apple’s C1X modem is also used inside the iPhone 17e, which has a new carrier privacy feature that doesn’t work with the modem inside the iPhone 16.
The C1X modem also contributes to better battery life with the iPhone 17e. Apple’s $599 iPhone touts up to 26 hours of video playback compared to up to 22 hours on iPhone 16.
Like the iPhone 17, Apple uses Ceramic Shield 2 glass on the iPhone 17e, providing three times better scratch resistance and improved anti-reflection to reduce glare compared to iPhone 16.
Those are all impressive upgrades inside the iPhone 17e for $100 less than the iPhone 16.
iPhone 16 has a newer design and an Ultra Wide camera
Forking out the extra $100 for the iPhone 16 does provide some other benefits like a more versatile camera and a modern design.
iPhone 16 has a Dynamic Island instead of a notch bezel like the iPhone 17e.
This not only makes it look newer, but it also has nicer integrations with Live Activities when multitasking. The Dynamic Island design is used on Apple’s flagship iPhones. The specific notch style on the iPhone 17e dates back to the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14.
The display is brighter on the iPhone 16 compared to the iPhone 17e. The iPhone 17e display has 800 nits max brightness (typical) and 1200 nits peak brightness (HDR). The iPhone 16 display advertises 1000 nits max brightness (typical) and 1600 nits peak brightness (HDR) plus 2000 nits peak brightness (outdoors) and 1 nit minimum brightness.
There are two back cameras on the iPhone 16. The Ultra Wide camera offers 0.5x zoom for capturing a wider perspective than the main camera at 1x. The second back camera also enables macro photography, spatial photo capture, and Cinematic mode video recording.
Plus, there’s the Camera Control on iPhone 16 for quickly launching the Camera and snapping photos. iPhone 17e doesn’t have that.
Apple’s new iPhone 17e has Wi-Fi 6 compared to the iPhone 16’s Wi-Fi 7, and the iPhone 16 has a Thread radio and Apple’s second-gen UWB chip for better integration with the new AirTag 2.
Which is the better value pick?
The iPhone 16 benefits from being a flagship model from late 2024 at a reduced starting price. iPhone 17e, on the other hand, manages to bring iPhone 17 performance, durability, and storage at an even lower price.
Which is the better value iPhone to you? Apple’s iPhone 17e will be available for pre-order starting Wednesday, March 4, before hitting stores a week later on March 11.
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