Specs Appeal: Comparing iPhone 16e with iPhone SE 3 and iPhone SE 2

On February 19, 2025, Apple expanded its iPhone 16 lineup with the new iPhone 16e model, a new entry-level iPhone that replaces the old iPhone SE 3rd-generation with its classic design and the Home button. If you have one of the iPhone SE models and you are thinking about upgrading, here is how the new iPhone 16e compares spec-by-spec to the iPhone SE 3 and the iPhone SE 2.

Unlike previous updates in the iPhone SE lineup, the jump from the iPhone SE 3 to the iPhone 16e is a pretty big one. The Home button is now gone, and so is the IPS display with a big chin. Now, we have an all-screen design with a small notch that houses the TrueDepth camera for FaceID. Also, the display is now OLED with higher brightness, better contrast, HDR support, and more, not to mention it is significantly bigger—6.1" over 4.7".

The iPhone 16e has the A18 processor, which, besides delivering better performance and energy efficiency, enables Apple Intelligence features and packs Apple's first in-house C1 modem with 5G and satellite communication support.

Those upgrading from older-generation iPhones will also enjoy having a USB-C port, significantly better battery life (Apple promises up to 12 more hours of video playback), more storage, and a higher-res 48MP with more features. It is still a single-lens system, but its higher resolution enables what Apple calls a "2-in-1 camera system" with a sort of 2x telephoto support.

Less exciting changes include no physical SIM support, so get ready to switch to eSIM and a notably bigger price tag. Now, Apple's cheapest iPhone starts at $599, plus the iPhone SE, 15, and 14 are now fully discontinued (you can still find them in various retailers with nice discounts). And by the way, say goodbye to the Mute Switch: Apple replaced it with the customizable Action Button, which can still work as the Mute Switch.

With the biggest upgrades covered, here are key changes summed up in a list:

All-new design with flat edges and edge-to-edge display instead of rounded edges
No more Home button and big bezels
FaceID instead of TouchID
A bigger OLED display with a notch instead of IPS
Action Button instead of Mute Switch
The A18 processor with Apple Intelligence support
Bigger storage
Apple C1 modem with satellite communication support
USB-C instead of Lightning
No physical SIM support
48MP rear camera and a 12MP front-facing camera
IP68 water and dust resistance instead of IP67
Notably more expensive

And here is a more detailed spec-by-spec (main changes highlighted in bold):

	iPhone 16e	iPhone SE 3	iPhone SE 2
Display	6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED 2,532 x 1,170 (460 ppi) 800 nits max brightness 1,200 nits HDR brightness 2M:1 contrast ratio Wide Color P3 True Tone	4.7" IPS Retina HD, 1,334x750 (326 ppi) 625 nits max brightness 1400:1 contrast ratio True Tone Wide Color P3
Dimensions	5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31" 5.88oz 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 167g	5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29" 5.08oz / 5.22oz 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm 144g / 148g
Physical controls	Power Button Volume Button Action Button	Power Button Volume Button Home Button Mute Switch
Security	FaceID	TouchID
CPU	Apple A18 6-core CPU (2P, 4E) 4-core GPU 16-core NPU	Apple A15 Bionic 6-core CPU (2P, 4E) 4-core GPU 16-core NPU	Apple A13 Bionic 6-core CPU (2P, 4E) 4-core GPU 8-core NPU
Apple Intelligence	Supported	Not supported
RAM	? GB (likely 8 GB)	4 GB	3 GB
Storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB	64GB, 128GB, 256GB.	64GB, 128GB.
Network	Apple C1 modem 5G (sub-6 and mmWave) FDD-LTE and TD-LTE UMTS/HSPA+ GSM/EDGE Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.3	5G (sub-6 only), LTE-Advanced, UMTS/HSPA, and GSM/EDGE.	LTE, UMTS/HSPA, CDMA, LTE, GSM/EDGE.
SIM	eSIM-only Two active eSIM	Dual-SIM support. Single nano-SIM and single eSIM (simultaneous).
Rear Camera	2-in-1 camera system Single-lens 48MP camera with f/1.6 aperture and optical image stabilization	Single-lens wide 12-megapixel camera with f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization.
Features	Portrait mode with Depth Control and six lighting effects Smart HDR 5 Photographic styles True Tone Flash Photonic Engine Deep Fusion Night Mode	Portrait mode with Depth Control and six lighting effects Smart HDR 4 Photographic styles True Tone Flash Deep Fusion	Portrait mode with Depth Control and six lighting effects Smart HDR 2 True Tone Flash
Video	4K Dolby Vision at 60 FPS 1080 Dolby Vision at 60 FPS Slow-mo at 1080p 240 FPS Night mode time-lapse Audio Zoom Spatial Audio Audio Mix Wind Noise Reduction	4K and FullHD video 60 FPS Slo-mo at 1080p with 120 or 240 FPS Night mode time-lapse Stereo recording	4K and FullHD video 60 FPS Slo-mo at 1080p with 120 or 240 FPS Stereo recording
Front Camera	12MP TrueDepth Camera with f/1.9 aperture and Retina Flash	7-megapixel FaceTime HD camera with f/2.2 aperture and Retina Flash.
Battery	Unknown mAh (? Wh) Fast charging via USB-C Qi wireless charging	2,018 mAh (6.96 Wh) Fast charging via the Lightning port Qi wireless charging.	1821 mAh (6.96 Wh) Fast charging support via the Lightning port. Qi wireless charging.
Battery life	Up to 26 hours of video playback	Up to 15 hours of video playback.	Up to 13 hours of video playback.
Protection	IP68 water and dust-resistant	IP67 water and dust-resistant
Colors	White, Black	Starlight, Midnight, Product Red.	Black, White, Product Red.
Price	$599+	$429+	$399+

The iPhone 16e will be available for preorder on February 21, 2025. Shipments begin on February 28, 2025.

Are you interested in buying the iPhone 16e, or would you rather purchase an older iPhone 15 or 14? Share your thoughts about the latest iPhone in the comments.