The Cupertino giant Apple recently released the iPhone 16e as the spiritual successor to the iPhone SE 3. Although the phone offers quite a lot of improvements, it lacks a few key features that are present on the iPhone 16 or other iPhone 16e alternatives in the market.
1. Precision Finding And Thread Networking Technology
While the flagship iPhone 16 lineup features the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, the iPhone 16e doesn’t get it. As a result, the phone doesn’t support the popular Precision Finding feature that shows the directions to a supported accessory in real-time.
You can still locate your Apple devices via the Find My app, but using methods like the last known location or playing a sound on the misplaced device. Additionally, the iPhone 16e can’t directly communicate with smart home devices that rely on the Thread networking technology, as it lacks the feature.
Also Read: Hands-On Review – Apple iPhone 16e: Nostalgic Chassis Design With Inspiration From Older Models
2. Faster Wi-Fi and 5G Connectivity
Globally, the iPhone 16 supports Wi-Fi 7 connectivity for faster downloads/uploads on supported networks. However, the iPhone 16e is stuck with the slower Wi-Fi 6 standard.
The iPhone 16e features Apple’s first in-house modem, the C1 subsystem. It supports sub-6 GHz 5G but lacks the faster (but relatively less common) mmWave connectivity.
While this isn’t a big deal for the Indian market (as the faster wireless networks aren’t available yet), it could be a letdown for customers in regions where the technology is available.
3. Dynamic Island
Back in 2022, Apple replaced the Face ID notch on its iPhones with the Dynamic Island (first introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro models). While all the subsequent models have featured the Dynamic Island — a clever implementation of software to mask the pill-shaped cutout — the iPhone 16e has a gigantic notch at the top.
The design immediately reminds us of the 2022 iPhone 14, giving the iPhone 16e a slightly dated look.
Also Read: iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 15: 8 Key Differences That You Should Know Before Making A Purchase
4. 120Hz ProMotion Display
Like all the baseline iPhones, the iPhone 16e doesn’t feature a 120Hz or ProMotion display. After 2022, Apple launched another affordable iPhone in 2025. This means that it might be two or three years before Apple updates the iPhone 16e, and whether the update includes a smoother screen is still a mystery.
It is a bit disappointing, as even the mid-range smartphones that cost less than half the price feature a 120Hz screen (some with an OLED screen as well). Nonetheless, we expect the iPhone 17 to support a 120Hz refresh rate later this year.
All the iPhone 16e alternatives (according to price), like the Galaxy S24, Vivo X200, iQOO 13, the OnePlus 12, or the Oppo Find X8, flaunt a higher refresh rate screen.
5. Latest-Generation Ceramic Shield Screen Protection
The iPhone 16e gets the Ceramic Shield front screen protection first introduced with the iPhone 12. If you have a rather slippery hand, we’d recommend getting good-quality tempered glass and a protective case to safeguard the corners (and back glass).
Apple says that the latest-generation Ceramic Shield is around 50% tougher than the original one, something that the iPhone 16e could have benefitted from, but that isn’t the case.
Also Read: iPhone 16e vs. iPhone 16: Which One is Better For You?
6. One Less GPU Core Than Regular A18
The iPhone 16e doesn’t get the same A18 chip as the iPhone 16. Instead, the phone gets a specced-down variant with one less GPU core. While this shouldn’t hamper the phone’s day-to-day performance, it could result in a slightly inferior graphics performance (noticeable while playing demanding video games at higher settings).
In February 2025, we published an article about the iPhone 16e’s Metal score (GeekBench 6) and how it falls short of the iPhone 16e score.
7. Large Sensor and Sensor-Shift Optical Image Stabilization
The iPhone 16e borrows its primary 48MP (f/1.6) camera from the iPhone 16 Pro’s ultra-wide, which features a very small 1/2.55-inch sensor with Hybrid Pixel Autofocus. This means you won’t get the same natural depth of field as the iPhone 16’s main camera, or even the iPhone 13’s main camera. In fact, it’s even smaller than the main camera on the iPhone 13. A smaller sensor also results in worse low-light performance, loss of detail when zooming in, and inferior video quality.
The iPhone 16e also doesn’t get the sensor-shift stabilization that was introduced with the iPhone 12 Pro and then became a standard for all iPhones (13, 14, 15, & 16). Instead, Apple equips the camera with the standard optical image stabilization.
For those catching up, sensor-shift stabilization (5-axis stabilization) moves the entire image sensor to compensate for any unwanted movements, resulting in better results. This is a major reason why the iPhone is regarded as the best phone for vidoes. On the other hand, optical image stabilization moves just the lens. Between the two, the former is more effective.
8. iPhone 16’e Ultrawide Camera (With Macro Abilities)
Another feature missing from the iPhone 16e is a secondary ultrawide camera, which helps capture vast landscapes or macro shots on the iPhone 16. If you’ve to accommodate more people in a group picture, you’ve to step back, as you can’t switch to the ultrawide sensor.
Also Read: Samsung’s Exynos 2600: A 2nm Comeback for the Galaxy S26
9. The Camera Control Button
Even though Apple says that the iPhone 16e belongs to the iPhone 16 family, it doesn’t get the Camera Control button that instantly opens the Camera app. Although this isn’t something that is common on iPhones, it’s yet another feature that’s missing on the Rs. 60,000 iPhone 16e.
10. Video Modes (Cinematic, Action, And Spatial)
The iPhone 16e can record 4K Dolby Vision videos at up to 60 fps, but it doesn’t get the Cinematic Mode, Action Mode, or Spatial video recording ability.
The Cinematic Mode blurs the background, highlighting the subject. The Action Mode, on the other hand, helps stabilize intense movements without needing external stabilization accessories. Spatial Video (3D videos for Apple Vision Pro) also debuted with the iPhone 16 and isn’t available on the iPhone 16e.
11. Latest-Generation Photographic Styles
In our review of the iPhone 16, we mentioned how one can fine-tune the stone, color, and intensity of the latest-generation Photographic Styles by tapping on the square-shaped icon at the top right of the screen. However, the feature isn’t available on the iPhone 16e.
Instead, iPhone 16e users get the old Photographic Styles with pre-set color and tone values that can’t be changed.
Also Read: MacBook Air M4 Windows Alternative: Top Picks for Microsoft Users
12. iPhone 16’s Portrait Mode
A nifty feature on the iPhone 16, the latest-generation Portrait Mode automatically captures the depth data when a subject is visible in the picture. After capturing an image, you can edit it to apply an aesthetic blur on the background, even when you didn’t capture it in portrait mode.
However, the iPhone 16e can’t do that. In other words, you can’t change your mind about photography after capturing it in the regular mode.
13. MagSafe or Qi2 Charging
The iPhone 16e doesn’t provide MagSafe or Qi2 wireless charging, including the charging rate and the magnetic ring on the back that helps in attaching compatible accessories (like MagSafe wallets, SSD holders, etc.).
Instead, you get Qi wireless charging that is limited to 7.5W (down from 25W MagSafe with a 30W or higher power adapter on the iPhone 16 lineup).
That might not be a downside for everyone, but surely for those who prefer wireless charging over wired charging and already have Qi2 accessories.
14. Vibrant Color Options
Unlike the iPhone 16 or the iPhone 15 variants, the iPhone 16e is available in just two colors: black and white. This could affect users who use their smartphones without protective cases or use transparent cases to flaunt the vibrant colors.
Given that the iPhone 16 is available in several vibrant colors, including Ultramarine, green, and pink, Apple could release new iPhone 16e colors in the future.
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