Monday, September 15, 2025

Ought to You Purchase the iPhone 16E or Await the iPhone 17 to Be Introduced?

We’re days away from Apple’s “Awe Dropping” occasion on Tuesday, the place we count on the rumored iPhone 17 to be introduced. The iPhone 17 will possible be a follow-up to the iPhone 16, which launched in 2024. Nevertheless, Apple’s latest telephone, the $599 iPhone 16E, was launched in February and presents a novel attraction: Get a few of the iPhone 16’s finest options (a 48-megapixel digicam, iOS 18 and an A18 chip for Apple Intelligence) for $200 lower than the $799 iPhone 16.

However do you purchase the iPhone 16E now or anticipate the iPhone 17 to debut in a number of weeks? We expect it is best to wait to purchase both. This is why.

Watch this: iPhone 16E Evaluate

iPhone 16E vs. iPhone 17: Right this moment

iphone16e

The iPhone 16E is supposed to be a barely extra reasonably priced model of the iPhone 16.

Apple/CNET

The iPhone 16E has the excellence of being Apple’s most reasonably priced telephone (earlier than service reductions and offers) regardless of costing $170 greater than the corporate’s earlier low cost telephone, the iPhone SE from 2022. The 16E is aimed toward those that wish to get the latest least expensive iPhone with all of the Apple perks they count on, like a great digicam, companies like iMessage and FaceTime, and years’ value of software program upgrades.

The iPhone 16E carries the iPhone SE’s previous mantle and makes use of components of previous iPhones to create an reasonably priced one. For instance, the 16E’s display and physique are just like the iPhone 14 and it has the identical processor that the iPhone 16 has. On paper, the 16E is an improve in practically each approach to the final iPhone SE. The iPhone 16E releases on the finish of February. However if you would like the iPhone 17, you are going to have to attend as a result of it does not exist.

Apple hasn’t introduced the iPhone 17, and you may’t preorder it but. The following iPhone is only a bunch of rumors that paint the image of a legendary newer telephone that is higher than what’s obtainable now. However the chances are high excessive that Apple will launch an iPhone 17 on Tuesday.

iPhone 16E vs. iPhone 17: Tuesday

iPhone 15 Pro Max with neon number 17 on a gradient background

The iPhone 17 hasn’t been introduced but. On this image, we used an iPhone 16 Professional and put the quantity 17 behind it since there are no pictures from Apple of its unreleased telephone.

Apple/Viva Tung/CNET

What is going to the iPhone 17 have that the brand new iPhone 16E does not? I do not know as a result of Apple hasn’t introduced something but.

However we are able to take a look at a few of the many iPhone 17 rumors and postulate why it might or might not be value ready weeks for. The most important rumor is that Apple would possibly debut a brand new iPhone mannequin with an especially skinny design, as reported by The Data. Nicknamed the iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 17 Slim, it could have the standard year-to-year additions, like a brand new processor and new software program, however its primary attraction will possible be its new design.

Each telephone Apple has launched since 2020 has appeared just like the iPhone 12 and had flat sides, aside from the iPhone SE. That very same iPhone 12 design can seen within the iPhone 16 collection together with the brand new iPhone 16E. And whereas many Apple lovers need an iPhone with a very new design, there may be logic to Apple retaining what works for its massive base of iPhone customers.

The iPhone 17 Air’s skinny design may have a big 6.6-inch show that slots in-between the 6.1-inch screens on the iPhone 16 and 16 E and the 6.9-inch show on the 16 Professional Max. The iPhone 17 Air can be anticipated to have Apple’s C1 5G modem, the identical one which debuted within the iPhone 16E in line with famous analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

However even when the iPhone 17 had been out as we speak, it is meant for a unique particular person in contrast with the reasonably priced iPhone 16E.

iPhone 16E vs. iPhone 17: Funds or flagship?

Exploded view of the single camera in the iPhone 16E.

The iPhone 16E is the one telephone Apple sells that has a single rear digicam.

Apple/Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNET

The true complicating issue between deciding between Apple’s brand-new low cost iPhone and its subsequent unannounced flagship mannequin is simply that: Would you like a budget-version of the iPhone 16? Or would you like considered one of Apple’s dearer premium fashions? And if that’s the case the actual query ought to be would you like an iPhone 16 or anticipate an iPhone 17?

Despite the fact that the one issues we all know concerning the iPhone 17 collection are primarily based on rumors, it’s going to possible have an everyday base mannequin that begins round $800 and a extra premium Professional mannequin that begins at $1,000. Just like the iPhone 16, the iPhone 17 has a unique worth proposition and can possible be aimed toward a unique consumer than the iPhone 16E.

It is also unclear if Apple will launch an reasonably priced model of the iPhone 17 in 2026 — perhaps the 17E? The iPhone SE collection bought updates each two to a few years in contrast with the annual updates that Apple’s flagship line will get.
But when all you need is Apple’s least expensive, then the iPhone 16E is the way in which to go. And better of all, you’ll be able to purchase it as we speak.

Purchase a telephone if you want it

The iPhone 16E is displayed against a gradient blue background.

The iPhone 16E will little doubt be probably the most reasonably priced approach to get an iPhone earlier than service reductions and offers.

Apple/CNET

In the end, in case your present telephone is damaged or has a cracked display and you’ll want to purchase a telephone now, then accomplish that. Apple’s common iPhone 16 is an incredible possibility and, when you’re seeking to purchase Apple’s least expensive telephone, go together with the iPhone 16E.

In case you are due for an improve out of your service, then issues get trickier. 4 months is a very long time to attend, particularly for a telephone Apple hasn’t even introduced or advised us about. But when your present telephone is working advantageous, maintain onto that improve and reevaluate your state of affairs Tuesday.

Apple iPhone 16E Specs vs. iPhone 16, iPhone SE (2022), iPhone 15

Apple iPhone 16E iPhone 16 iPhone SE (2022) iPhone 15
Show dimension, tech, decision, refresh fee 6.1-inch OLED show; 2,532×1,170 pixels; 60Hz refresh fee 6.1-inch OLED show; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 60Hz refresh fee 4.7-inch LCD; 1,334×750 pixels; 60Hz refresh fee 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 60hz refresh fee
Pixel density 460ppi 460ppi 326ppi 460ppi
Dimensions (inches) 5.78×2.82×0.31 5.81×2.82×0.31 5.45×2.65×0.29 2.82×5.81×0.31
Dimensions (millimeters) 146.7×71.5×7.8 147.6×71.6×7.8 138.4×67.3×7.3 71.6×147.6×7.8
Weight 167 grams (5.88 ounces) 170g (6oz) 144g (5.09oz) 171g (6.02oz)
Cell software program iOS 18 iOS 18 iOS 15 iOS 17
Digital camera 48 megapixel (extensive) 48 megapixel (extensive), 12 megapixel (ultrawide) 12 megapixel (extensive) 48 megapixel (extensive), 12 megapixel (ultrawide)
Entrance-facing digicam 12 megapixel 12 megapixel 7 megapixel 12 megapixel
Video seize 4K 4K 4K 4K
Processor Apple A18 Apple A18 Apple A15 Bionic Apple A16 Bionic
RAM/storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 64GB, 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Expandable storage None None None None
Battery As much as 26 hours video playback, 21 hours streamed video playback, 90 hours of audio playback. 20W wired charging, 7.5W Qi wi-fi charging As much as 22 hours video playback; as much as 18 hours video playback (streamed). 20W wired charging. MagSafe wi-fi charging as much as 25W with 30W adapter or greater; Qi2 as much as 15W Battery dimension not disclosed (charger not included; helps wi-fi charging) Undisclosed; Apple says as much as 20 hours of video playback (16 hours streamed)
Fingerprint sensor None (Face ID) None (Face ID) Dwelling button None (Face ID)
Connector USB-C USB-C Lightning USB-C
Headphone jack None None None None
Particular options Motion button, Apple C1 5G modem, Apple Intelligence, Ceramic Protect, Emergency SOS, satellite tv for pc connectivity, IP68 resistance Apple Intelligence, Motion button, Digital camera Management button, Dynamic Island, 1 to 2,000 nits show brightness vary, IP68 resistance. Colours: black, white, pink, teal, ultramarine. 5G-enabled; helps 25W wired quick charging; Water-proof (IP67); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wi-fi charging Dynamic Island; 5G (mmw/Sub6); MagSafe; waterproof (IP68); wi-fi charging; eSIM; satellite tv for pc connectivity
US worth begins at $599 (128GB), $699 (256GB), $899 (512GB) $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB) $399 (64GB), $449 (128GB), $549 (256GB) $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB)
UK worth begins at £599 (128GB), £699 (256GB), £899 (512GB) £799 (128GB), £899 (256GB), £1,099 (512GB) £419 (64GB), £469 (128GB), £569 (256GB) £799 (128GB), £899 (256GB), £1,099 (512GB)
Australia worth begins at AU$999 (128GB), AU$1,199 (256GB), AU$1,549 (512GB) AU$1,399 (128GB), AU$1,599 (256GB), AU$1,949 (512GB) AU$749 (64GB), AU$829 (128GB), AU$999 (256GB) AU$1,499 (128GB), AU$1,699 (256GB), AU$2,049 (512GB)


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