iPhone 16e Review : Why It Outruns the iPhone 16 Pros

iPhone 16e Review : Why It Outruns the iPhone 16 Pros  I’ll admit it—I was skeptical when I first heard about the iPhone 16e. Why would anyone choose a pared-down iPhone when Apple’s unveiled shiny new iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, and iPhone 16 Pro Max? Yet, across Malaysia, the budget-friendly iPhone 16e is flying off shelves. Let’s talk about why this smaller sibling is turning heads—and outselling its more glamorous cousins.

📱 Background: What is the iPhone SE Series?

Apple’s SE series brings flagship chip performance in a compact, friendlier-price body. Apple SE series continues that legacy. It offers critical iPhone features—like iOS updates, Face ID, and a capable camera—without the Pro-level bells and whistles. It’s ideal for people who want top-tier performance but don’t care about ultra-wide cameras or ceramic shields.

🤔 Why Did Apple Launch the 16e?

I think Apple had a few reasons:

1. Replace the aging SE with a modern design (no more home button) and the A18 chip
2. Maintain a budget-friendly option without eroding the premium image of the Pro line
3. Offer Apple Intelligence to wider users—AI features like Genmoji and summarised notifications are included

With the latest generation Apple Silicon, breakthrough battery life, incredible high-resolution 2-in-1 camera system, and the powerful features of iOS 18 in a durable design, iPhone 16e has all you need at an affordable price. On top of that, the great selling point of iPhone 16e is that it has Apple Intelligence, Apple’s powerful personal intelligence system with features that save your time, get yourself multitasking at ease and express yourself in new ways. 

📊 Price in Malaysia

In Malaysia, Apple launched the iPhone 16e starting at RM2,999 for 128GB, RM3,499 for 256GB, and RM4,499 for 512GB. By comparison, the iPhone 16 starts at RM3,999, iPhone 16 Plus at RM3,999, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at RM4,999 . So, you’re looking at a substantial saving—RM1,000 less than the standard iPhone 16.

📦 Key Upgrades in Specs

• • Chip: Apple A18 with 4‑core GPU (same as iPhone 16). A18 is the latest generation of Apple Silicon. It enables a fast and powerful experience, for instance, using cleanup to remove a photobomber in a photo and playing a fast-paced graphics-intensive game. You’re getting the same CPU power as the flagship iPhone 16, but at RM3,000 instead of RM4,000+. That’s a strong value proposition. 
  • Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED. As compared to LCD used for previous iPhone SE, OLED supports more details and colours of image which  is more accurate and true to life.
  • Camera: 48MP Fusion wide with 2× optical zoom and smart HDR features like Photonic Engine and Night Mode. Compared to older iPhones, it provides up to 4x the resolution. 2x optical zoom coming from the two-in-one camera system which has an integrated 2x telephoto, enable you to zoom in with optical quality. Aside, 48MP sensors built in featuring 3D spatial audio also allows you to do video recordings in 4K and high-quality audio that makes it sound as good as it looks.
  • Battery: With new internal design for iPhone 16e that has been optimized for a larger battery, it offers up to 26 hours playback (better than iPhone 16‘s 22hours, just behind 16 Plus). It gets up to 12 hours more compared to older iPhones. 
  • Port: USB‑C, no MagSafe (a charging pad which the magnet in your iPhone will automatically snap into place for charging) or Ultra Wideband 
  • Modem: Apple C1 instead of Qualcomm. C1 is the first Apple-designed cellular modem that provides fast and reliable 5G connectivity, and it’s the most power-efficient modem ever to exist in an iPhone.
  • Action button: This hero feature from the Pro line is now in the SE. Customizable and useful—imagine with just a press you are able to access your favourite app, flashlight, or camera. The action button also make it convenient for you to access visual intelligence, making the camera even more helpful. For instance, you can quickly find out how to care for a unknown plant, add a neighborhood event to your calendar, or search in Google for where to buy that cool pair of sneakers owned by a stranger.

• IP68 dust tight/water resistant: immersible up to 6m for 30 min, better than iPhone SE which is only 1m for 30mins

• 8GB RAM: Higher RAM compared to iPhone SE (only 4GB previously), which means it could handle more apps and tasks simultaneously without slowing down, and switch between apps quickly

• Apple intelligence:  Built with industry-leading privacy and integrated across the apps you use most. For example:
  • Clean up a distraction in a photo
  • Find a specific photo just by describing it
  • Create the perfect emoji by typing a few words
  • Use Image Playground to create a personalized image of yourself or a friend
  • Catch up on long threads with summaries or respond with a tap using Smart Reply. 
  • Proofread and refine your words virtually anywhere you type. 
  • Plan a dine out with Siri’s ability to use the expertise of ChatGPT.

⚠️ What the iPhone 16e Won’t Have

• No MagSafe or Qi2 fast wireless charging
• No ultra-wide or Telephoto camera
• Only the standard notch, not the Dynamic Island
• No UWB chip for ultra-fast spatial device connectivity
• Charges with USB‑C but slower wireless

👥 Who Should Buy the iPhone 16e?

• One who has budget-control but emphasise on phone performance
• One who is seeking for an upgrade on the phone appearance, specifically a modern and durable design
• One who values battery life and AI conveniences more than the camera versatility or MagSafe

🧾 Verdict: Should I go for it?

Frankly speaking, the iPhone 16e is a wise choice. It gives you the A18 power, long battery life, and smart features—all with fewer frills. Millions will choose it over the pricier iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, or iPhone 16 Pro Max simply because it does more than enough at a lower cost.

If you ask me: it’s not about being cheap. It’s about being smart. By comparing iPhone 16e to the smartphones at the same price range, the powerful core features of iPhone 16e definitely worth every single penny of yours.

🔎 FAQ

Q: What’s the iPhone 16e price in Malaysia?
A: RM2,999 (128GB), RM3,499 (256GB), RM4,499 (512GB) .

Q: How does it compare to iPhone 16 Pro Max price in Malaysia?
A: The Pro Max is RM4,999 and above—double what you’d pay for the SE on base model .

Q: Does the iPhone 16e come in multiple colours?
A: Only in black and white—sleek and simple .

Q: What’s missing compared to the iPhone 16?
A: No Dynamic Island, ultra-wide camera, MagSafe, or UWB—but you still get the A18 chip, same battery, and Action Button.

Q: Is this the best iPhone for value?
A: For those who want flagship performance without flagship price—absolutely. But if you need pro camera gear or immersive design, you’ll need to step up to the 16 Plus or Pro Max.

Bottom line: the iPhone 16e proves that high-end power doesn’t always need a Pro sticker or sky-high price. It’s a strategic win for Apple and anyone who needs a powerful, dependable iPhone without overspending.