iPhone 16 Plus & iPhone 16e share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the iPhone 16 Plus rather than the iPhone 16e.
Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 16 Plus?
- The iPhone 16 Plus features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display for a larger, more immersive viewing experience, whereas the iPhone 16e has a smaller 6.1-inch OLED display.
- iPhone 16 Plus comes with a dual-camera system including a 48 MP wide and 12 MP ultrawide lens for versatile photography and wide-angle shots, while the iPhone 16e has only a single 48 MP Fusion camera.
- It includes a dedicated Camera Control button for quick access to zoom and capture functions, whereas the iPhone 16e does not include a Camera Control button.
- The iPhone 16 Plus features a 5-core GPU in the A18 chip for stronger graphics performance in demanding apps and gaming, whereas the iPhone 16e includes a 4-core GPU.
- iPhone 16 Plus supports MagSafe and Qi2 charging for faster and more convenient wireless charging with magnetic accessory compatibility, while the iPhone 16e only supports standard Qi charging up to 7.5 W.
- It has a larger 4674 mAh battery for extended use and up to 27 hours of video playback, whereas the iPhone 16e has a smaller 4005 mAh battery.
- iPhone 16 Plus uses a Qualcomm modem with support for mmWave 5G and Ultra Wideband connectivity for faster speeds and precise device tracking, while the iPhone 16e uses Apple’s C1 modem without mmWave or UWB support.
Maybe the iPhone 16e price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 16 Plus. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16e |
| Display size | 6.7-inch OLED | 6.1-inch OLED |
| Brightness (HDR) | ~2000 nits | HDR capable |
| GPU cores | A18 with 5-core GPU | A18 with 4-core GPU |
| Rear camera system | Dual: 48 MP wide + 12 MP ultrawide | Single 48 MP Fusion lens |
| Ultrawide lens | Yes | No |
| Camera Control button | Dedicated physical button | Not present |
| Modem | Qualcomm-based | Apple C1 modem |
| Ultra-Wideband (UWB) | Yes | No |
| MagSafe / Qi2 support | MagSafe and Qi2 supported | Only Qi standard |
| Wireless charging speed | Faster | Slower |
| Battery capacity | ~4674 mAh | ~4005 mAh |
| Video playback battery life | ~27 hours | ~26 hours |
| Weight | ~199 g | ~167 g |
| Dimensions | Taller and wider | More compact |
| Color options | Ultramarine, Teal, Pink, White, Black | Limited (e.g., White, Black) |
| USB-C port with DisplayPort? | Yes | USB-C, but no DisplayPort output |
| Proximity to SE positioning | Flagship-sized option | Entry-level positioning |
| Photographic features (e.g., Night mode, Deep Fusion) | Full range | Supported on main lens; lacks ultrawide and cinematic modes |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Plus Price | Check iPhone 16e Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- A18 Chip: Both iPhones feature the Apple A18 chip with a Neural Engine, ensuring smooth performance, advanced AI processing, and efficient multitasking across apps.
- 8GB RAM: Both models include 8GB of RAM, allowing for faster app switching, better background task handling, and improved support for iOS updates.
- Storage Options: Both devices come in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB capacities, giving users flexible choices based on storage needs.
- Face ID: Both support Face ID facial recognition for secure authentication, enabling quick and safe unlocking as well as secure payments.
- Apple Intelligence: Both include Apple Intelligence integration, enabling features like text summarization, image generation, and advanced Siri functions.
- Emergency SOS via Satellite: Both support emergency SOS via satellite, letting users contact help in remote areas without cellular coverage.
- Crash Detection: Both include crash detection, automatically contacting emergency services when severe collisions are detected.
- IP68 Rating: Both are rated IP68 for water and dust resistance, protecting the phones in wet or dusty environments.
- USB-C Port: Both use USB-C ports instead of Lightning, simplifying charging and compatibility with modern accessories.
- Wi-Fi: Both support fast Wi-Fi connections for smooth browsing, streaming, and app use.
- Bluetooth 5: Both feature Bluetooth 5 connectivity, ensuring stable connections with wireless headphones and accessories.
- NFC: Both include NFC technology with Apple Pay and Express Transit mode for seamless payments and quick card access.
- Portrait Mode: Both support Portrait mode in the camera system, producing professional-looking shots with depth effects.
- Night Mode: Both have Night Mode for brighter and clearer images in low-light conditions.
- Deep Fusion: Both utilize Deep Fusion processing to enhance mid-light photography, improving texture and detail.
- Smart HDR 5: Both include Smart HDR 5, delivering balanced photos with accurate highlights and shadows.
- Spatial Audio and Video: Both support spatial audio and audio zoom during video recording, improving immersive sound quality.
- iOS 18: Both launched with iOS 18, ensuring they share the same modern software features and interface improvements.
- Software Updates: Both are expected to receive long-term iOS support, keeping them updated and secure for many years.
Common Features
| Feature | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16e |
| System-on‑a‑chip | Apple A18 with Neural Engine | Apple A18 with Neural Engine |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| IP68 water & dust resistance | Yes | Yes |
| USB‑C port | Yes | Yes |
| Face ID | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Intelligence support | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency SOS via satellite | Yes | Yes |
| Crash detection | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless LAN capability | Wi‑Fi | Wi‑Fi |
| NFC support | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.x | Bluetooth 5.x |
| Portrait mode support | Yes | Yes |
| Photographic styles | Yes | Yes |
| Night Mode support | Yes | Yes |
| Deep Fusion support | Yes | Yes |
| Smart HDR | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio/video features | Yes | Yes |
| iOS 18 launch OS | Yes | Yes |
| Long-term software updates | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Plus Price | Check iPhone 16e Price |
FAQ
What chip do the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16e use? Do both models have the same amount of RAM? Are the storage options the same for both models? Do both phones support Face ID? Is Apple Intelligence available on both the iPhone 16 Plus and 16e? Do both iPhones include Emergency SOS via satellite? Do both models feature crash detection? Are the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16e water-resistant? Do both iPhones use USB-C? Do the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16e support Wi-Fi? Do both models have Bluetooth 5? Is NFC available on both models? Do both support Portrait Mode in photography? Do both the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16e have Night Mode? Will both devices get long-term iOS updates? |