Apple's latest phone, $ 599 iPhone 16ePauses with the company's usual timetable in September and will be released on Friday, February 28th. In fact, you can Preface at 16e now. The new iPhone offers unique attraction: Get some of the best features of the iPhone 16 (48 megapixel camera, iOS 18 and Chip A18 for Apple Intelligence) for $ 200 less than $ 799 iPhone 16. This makes iPhone 16e basically a reduced version of iPhone 16 that There are no certain featuresAs a filling of the Magsafe and the second rear camera to keep the price low.
But iPhone 16e It's not the only phone that Apple will release this year. We expect iPhone 17 to start in September. Rumors suggest that it can get new ultra-thin design. So, the question arises: Should you buy iPhone 16e now or wait six months for the iPhone 17?
Unfortunately, the answer is: depends.
Watch this: The iPhone 16e arrived
iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 17: Today
The iPhone 16e is intended to be a slightly more acceptable version of the iPhone 16.
The iPhone 16e has the difference to be Apple's most affordable phone (before discount and carrier deals) despite costing $ 170 more than the company's previous cheap phone, The company iPhone SE of 2022. 16E is aimed at those who want to get the latest cheapest iPhone with all Apple cushions they expect, such as good camera, services like iMessage and FaceTime, and software software updates.
The iPhone 16e carries the old iPhone SE mantle and uses parts of old iPhone to create an affordable. For example, the 16E screen and body are similar to iPhone 14 And has the same processor that iPhone 16 has. On paper, 16e is upgrading in almost every way to the last iPhone SE. The iPhone 16e is released at the end of February. But if you want the iPhone 17, you'll have to wait because it doesn't exist.
Apple has not released the iPhone 17 and you still can't order it. The next iPhone is just a bunch of rumors that take the image of a mythical newer phone that is better than what is now available. But the chances are that Apple will release iPhone 17 in September, half a year now. For me, I haven't come across a phone worth waiting for six months, so I didn't wait for the 17th.
iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 17: September 2025
The iPhone 17 has not yet been released. In this picture, we used the iPhone 16 Pro and we put behind number 17, as there are no photos of Apple from its unreliable phone.
What will the iPhone 17 have the new iPhone 16e? I have no idea because Apple has not yet announced anything.
But we can look at some of the many Rumors of iPhone 17 And postulates why you can or not be worth waiting for six months. The biggest rumor is that Apple can debut a new iPhone model with an extremely slim design, as reported by Information. The nickname of the iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 17 Slim, will have the usual additions from year to year, as a new processor and new software, but its main attraction is likely to be its new design.
Each Apple phone launched it since 2020 looked similar to iPhone 12 And there were flat sides, except for the iPhone SE. The same iPhone 12 design can be seen in the iPhone 16 series, including the new iPhone 16e. And while many Apple enthusiasts want an iPhone with a real new design, it has the logic of the apple preserving what works For its large iPhone users.
The Slim design of iPhone 17 Air There may be a large 6.6-inch display that ranges between 6.1-inch iPhone 16 and 16 E and 6.9-inch screen display screens. The iPhone 17 AIR is also expected to have Apple's C1 5G, the same thing that debuted in the iPhone 16e according to the recorded analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
But even if the iPhone 17 was out today, it is intended for a different person compared to the acceptable iPhone 16e.
iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 17: Budget or Leader?
The iPhone 16e is the only phone selling Apple that has a single rear camera.
The real factor in complicating between deciding between a brand new inexpensive Apple iPhone and its next unannounced flagship model is exactly that: Do you want a budget version of the iPhone 16? Or do you want one of Apple's more expensive top models? And, if so, the real question should be whether you want iPhone 16 or wait for the iPhone 17?
Although the only things we know about the iPhone 17 series are based on rumors, it is likely to have a regular basic model that starts around $ 800 and a more Premium Pro model that starts at $ 1,000. Like the iPhone 16, the iPhone 17 has a proposal for different value and is likely to be directed to a different iPhone 16e user.
It is also unclear whether Apple will release an affordable version of the iPhone 17 in 2026 – maybe 17E? The iPhone SE series has received updates every two to three years compared to the annual updates received by the Apple leader.
Buy a phone when you need
The iPhone 16e would no doubt be the most affordable way to get an iPhone before discount and carrier deals.
After all, if your current phone is broken or fired a screen and now you need to buy a phone, then do it. Apple's regular iPhone 16 is an incredible option and, while we haven't tested the iPhone 16e yet, on paper it looks like it will be a solid budget phone for most people.
If you need to update from your carrier, then things become more awkward. For six months it's a long time to wait, especially for Apple's phone she didn't even post it or told us. But if your current phone works well, keep that upgrade to September and review your condition then.
Apple iPhone 16e specifications versus iPhone 16, iPhone SE (2022), iPhone 15
| Apple iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 | iPhone SE (2022) | iPhone 15 | |
| View size, technology, resolution, refresh rate | 6.1-inch OLED display; 2,532×1,170 pixels; Refresh rate of 60Hz | 6.1-inch OLED display; 2.556×1,179 pixels; Refresh rate of 60Hz | 4.7-inch LCD; 1,334×750 pixels; Refresh rate of 60Hz | 6.1-inch OLED; 2.556×1,179 pixels; Refresh rate of 60Hz |
| Pixel density | 460ppi | 460ppi | 326pi | 460ppi |
| Dimensions (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 (millimeters) | 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 | 167 grams (5.88 ounces) | 170g (6oz) | 144g (5.09oz) | 171G (6.02oz) |
| Mobile software | iOS 18 | iOS 18 | iOS 15 | iOS 17 |
| Camera | 48 megapixels (wide) | 48 megapixels (wide), 12 megapixels (ultravid) | 12 megapixels (wide) | 48 megapixels (wide), 12 megapixels (ultravid) |
| Front camera | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels | 7 megapixel | 12 megapixels |
| Video recording | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Processor | Apple A18 | Apple A18 | Apple A15 bionic | Apple A16 bionic |
| RAM/storage | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Storage expansion | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing |
| Battery | Up to 26 hours of video playback, 21 hours transmitted video playback, 90 hours audio playback. 20W Filling Charging, 7.5W Qi Wireless Charging | Up to 22 hours of video playback; Up to 18 hours video playback (transmits). 20W wired filling. Magsafe's wireless charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher; Qi2 to 15W | Battery size is not detected (charger not included; supports wireless charging) | Undiscovered; Apple says up to 20 hours video playback (16 hours transmits) |
| A fingerprint sensor | Nothing (ID card) | Nothing (ID card) | Home button | Nothing (ID card) |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | Lightning | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing |
| Special features | Action button, Apple C1 5G modem, apple intelligence, ceramic shield, emergency sauce, satellite connection, IP68 resistance | Apple intelligence, action button, camera control button, dynamic island, 1 to 2,000 Nits Display Range, IP68 Resistance. Colors: black, white, pink, for sideways, ultramarine. | 5G-enhanced; Supports a speed of charging with 25W; Water resistant (IP67); Dual SIM abilities (Nano-SIM and E-SIM); Wireless charging | Dynamic island; 5G (MMW/SUB6); Magsafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; ESIM; satellite connection |
| American price starts in | $ 599 (128 GB), $ 699 (256 GB), $ 899 (512 GB) | $ 799 (128 GB), $ 899 (256 GB), $ 1,099 (512 GB) | $ 399 (64 GB), $ 449 (128 GB), $ 549 (256 GB) | $ 799 (128 GB), $ 899 (256 GB), $ 1,099 (512 GB) |
| The cost of the UK starts from | 599 pounds (128 GB), 699 pounds (256 GB), 899 pounds (512 GB) | 799 pounds (128 GB), 899 pounds (256 GB), £ 1,099 (512 GB) | 419 pounds (64 GB), 469 pounds (128 GB), 569 pounds (256 GB) | 799 pounds (128 GB), 899 pounds (256 GB), £ 1,099 (512 GB) |
| Price in Australia begins in | AU $ 999 (128 GB), 1,199 USD (256 GB), 1,549 USD (512 GB) | 1,399 USD (128 GB), 1,599 USD (256 GB), 1,949 USD (512 GB) | I'm $ 749 (64 GB), i $ 829 (128 GB), my $ 999 (256 GB) | AU 1,499 USD (128 GB), 1,699 USD (256 GB), AU 2,049 USD (512 GB) |