For the first time in a long time, I’m actually considering switching back to Android
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iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 16e Buyer's Guide: 25+ Differences Compared
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Nooooooooo you can get a pro iPhone and you will be better than android : https://nanoreview.net/en/phone-compare/samsung-galaxy-s25-ultra-vs-apple-iphone-16-pro-max (same score... lower price for iPhone)
I’ve been waiting to upgrade my mom’s SE (2020) to the 16e. I wasn’t blown away by the specs. I was actually a little disappointed. I ended up ordering her an open box 15 with 100% battery life for $590. I think I did the right thing. I guess it all depends on what you see as positives.
The iPhone 16e and iPhone 15 now sit at the bottom of Apple's iPhone lineup at $599 and $699, respectively. While the 16e shares many important features with the iPhone 15, there are still 30 significant differences between the devices to be aware of–not least Apple Intelligence support.
There is a merely $100 price difference between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16e. To justify this, the iPhone 16e misses out on features such as the Dynamic Island and MagSafe connectivity. However, there are some areas where the 16e is actively better than the 15, such as the Action button, chip, and battery life. Here's everything that's different:
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus (2023) iPhone 16e (2025) Dynamic Island "Notch" 6.1- or 6.7-inch display 6.1-inch display 1,000 nits max brightness (typical) 800 nits max brightness (typical) 1,600 nits peak brightness (HDR) 1,200 nits peak brightness (HDR) 2,000 nits peak brightness (outdoor) Color-infused glass back Glass back Available in Black, Pink, Yellow, Blue, and Green Available in White and Black Ring/Silent switch Action button 12-megapixel Ultra Wide camera 0.5x, 1x, or 2x optical zoom options 1x or 2x optical zoom options Sensor-shift optical image stabilization Optical image stabilization Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control Portrait mode with Depth Control Macro photography Cinematic mode for recording videos with shallow depth of field (up to 4K Dolby Vision at 30 fps) Action mode Wind noise reduction Audio Mix Stereo recording Spatial Audio and stereo recording A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU A18 chip with 4-core GPU Apple Intelligence support Visual intelligence Qualcomm Snapdragon X70 modem Apple C1 modem Thread connectivity Ultra Wideband chip for Precision Finding 20- or 26-hour battery life 26-hour battery life MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W with 20W adapter or higher Compatible with MagSafe cases, wallets, wireless chargers, and more Starts at $699 and $799 Starts at $599
Choosing between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16e is not a wholly straightforward decision. While the iPhone 15 is $100 more expensive than the iPhone 16e, it misses out on the Action button, Wind noise reduction, Audio Mix, Spatial Audio recording, the A18 chip and Apple Intelligence, Visual intelligence, the C1 modem, and six additional hours of battery life.
Instead, the $100 jump is seemingly justified by the Dynamic Island, brighter display, Ultra Wide camera, sensor-shift image stabilization, next-generation portraits, Macro mode, Cinematic mode, Action mode, Thread and Ultra Wideband connectivity, MagSafe, and color options–which may not be important to some customers.
The iPhone 15's lack of Apple Intelligence support is a major omission and it is difficult to recommend a device that is more expensive, less powerful, and less future proof. The iPhone 16e is a better long-term investment since it is likely to support future Apple Intelligence features, offering a better long-term experience and more desirability in the second-hand market. Its markedly better battery life is also worth noting when it comes to the long-term view of using the device. The iPhone 16e is almost a year and a half newer than the iPhone 15.
If the large display of the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus is essential, then it is likely still worth opting for this option over the iPhone 16e. Likewise, if an Ultra Wide camera or MagSafe are absolutely essential, the iPhone 15 is the only way to go. Otherwise, most customers should save the $100 and buy the iPhone 16e.
Article Link: iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 16e Buyer's Guide: 25+ Differences Compared
Had a little talk with my iPhone 14 today and let it know it will be around for a lot longer. Apple hasn't done anything with the newer iPhones that I want or need.
Yes, my 13 Mini was told recently that "it'll be getting a new battery in 2025 at some point" and perhaps a sibling we keep around "just in case"
I don't know anyone who keeps a phone for 7+ years (typical support window), esp a budget phone thats gimped to begin with
There’s nothing gimped about this phone. It not having pro features doesn’t make it gimped.
It’s also not a budget phone. Nothing Apple does is budget.
And I know plenty of people who hold onto their phone. My best friend is happily using his iPhone 8 Plus.
Macrumors users seem to jot realized they are the minority. While most of us upgrade fairly often but the average Joe does not.
Variety of options:
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 (in the middle of nowher)e
- iPhone 15
In my humble opinion, it’s a no brainier to get the iPhone 16e: better system-on-a-chip, better battery life, more RAM, Apple Intelligence… and likely two extra years of software updates. All of it at a lower price point.
Definitely a better deal than either 16e or 15, but this won’t be available forever. The 15 pro is discontinued, and this looks to be a lightly refurbished (used) device. Rightly or wrongly, a lot of users are not going to be considering a used device from Amazon.
A lot of people are going to buy through their carrier or Apple to take advantage of trade ins. For someone paying full price out of pocket, and who doesn’t mind used, this 15 pro would definitely be a better choice.
While the iPhone 15 is $100 more expensive than the iPhone 16e, it misses out on [...] Apple Intelligence.
As far as I'm concerned, that's not a flaw. Would save me from having to turn it off like I've done on my iPad Pro and Mac Mini.
As far as I'm concerned, that's not a flaw. Would save me from having to turn it off like I've done on my iPad Pro and Mac Mini.
I have Apple intelligence on my iPad mini. Tried using it for a week and turned it off to save 7GB. I would gladly take a $100 discount on a device and forgo Apple intelligence. Just install your favorite chatGPT, perplexity, Gemini, Grok app (they’re all far superior). It’s not a feature I would pay for
That's nice and all, but if my 12 Pro Max can make it another 18-ish months, I'll wait for a iPhone 18 to come along.
Oh no. I replaced my XS with a 16 2 months ago because the cracks in the front glass were beginning to lengthen. I could have tried to get it repaired but it was already like 5.5 years old.
The 16 doesn't have the stupid rounded glass edges so it's likely to survive more than 5.5 years because it's for one harder to accidentally drop and two, the metal edge will kinda protect the glass if that happens. I'm hoping it will last more than 5.5 years.
Incidentally, how is the new action button a feature? A physical switch where you could feel the state without looking at the phone was much better.
HazeAndHahmahneez
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woooow!
fascinating the battery life of 16e is more or less 15 plus...defintely some software holdback going on in terms of battery lives....oh and this list is so confusing, I mean in terms of buying choice....there are so many things each phone doesn't have that the other has...
Apple should just have 16 e (and 16e mini lol), the two 16s, the two 16 pros, and everything else refurb'd.
16 e = 499
16 e mini = 449
fascinating the battery life of 16e is more or less 15 plus...defintely some software holdback going on in terms of battery lives....oh and this list is so confusing, I mean in terms of buying choice....there are so many things each phone doesn't have that the other has...
Apple should just have 16 e (and 16e mini lol), the two 16s, the two 16 pros, and everything else refurb'd.
16 e = 499
16 e mini = 449
iPhone 16e mini would be cool... you can remove also x2 zoom and some battery hours and make it at 429$ like the se 3 and you will have the same deal we had with iPhone 8 and 8 plus : better battery, cam and larger screen...
Depends what's important to you.
I'd take the Dynamic Island and better camera over a iPhone 14 display with a worse camera, but with ChatGPT any day of the week.
I'd take the Dynamic Island and better camera over a iPhone 14 display with a worse camera, but with ChatGPT any day of the week.