Preliminary tests indicate that Apple's latest chip greatly enhances the battery life of the iPhone 16e.

      Apple

      The official launch of the iPhone 16e is set for tomorrow, February 27. Today, the initial testing results of Apple’s newly developed C1 modem for this budget device have been released, and they are encouraging.

      Geekerwan, a Chinese review site, conducted a range of 5G tests on the iPhone 16e's C1 modem, which is significant because it marks Apple's first modem for the iPhone. The tests showed that the iPhone 16e's performance in terms of speed and reliability was on par with the iPhone 16, which utilizes a Qualcomm modem. Even more impressively, Geekerwan discovered that the C1 modem uses considerably less power than its rival.

      When the iPhone 16e was introduced, Apple claimed that its modem was 25% more efficient than those found in the iPhone 16 lineup. Geekerwan's results support this assertion; under strong signal conditions, the iPhone 16e averaged a power draw of 0.67 watts, compared to 0.88 watts for the iPhone 16, indicating roughly a 24% enhancement. In low signal strength situations, the iPhone 16e continued to use 0.67 watts, while the iPhone 16 consumed 0.81 watts, reflecting a 17% difference.

      In a 5G video streaming test, the iPhone 16e's battery lasted an impressive 7 hours and 53 minutes. In contrast, the iPhone 16 managed 7 hours, and the iPhone 16 Pro lasted 6 hours and 54 minutes. The larger-battery models, the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro Max, offered around 8.5 hours of use between charges during the same test.

      The improved battery life of the iPhone 16e and the iPhone 16 is likely due to the more efficient modem and the larger battery in the new device. The iPhone 16e features a 3,961 mAh battery, while the iPhone 16 has a 3,561 mAh battery.

      The iPhone 16e was introduced earlier this month as the successor to the iPhone SE 3. However, it most closely resembles the now-discontinued iPhone 14. The new model starts at $599.

      Bryan M. Wolfe has over a decade of experience as a technology writer, focusing on mobile devices.

      The iPhone 17 Air might have a bigger display than anticipated

      The iPhone 17 Air has been at the center of numerous rumors and leaks, with the latest suggesting its screen size could reach up to 6.7 inches instead of the expected 6.6 inches. This information comes from tipster Jon Prosser during the Recycle Bin podcast.

      This is not the first rumor regarding the display size; last year, Ross Young initially indicated a 6.55-inch display—which rounds up to 6.6 inches—but subsequent estimates have varied. The iPhone 17 has faced more conflicting rumors than most Apple devices, so this information should be taken with caution.

      I won’t be purchasing an iPhone 16e for anyone in my family; here’s why

      Apple’s iPhone 16e presents a perplexing case. When examining the specifications, it’s challenging to determine its exact position within Apple’s product line.

      It’s clear from the name that Apple intends for it to be seen as the new entry-level model in the iPhone 16 series. This makes sense, and it’s arguably overdue for the iPhone lineup to feature a third tier, especially since competitors like Google and Samsung have had their A-series and FE-series models for years.

      The iPhone 16e has not lived up to my expectations for the iPhone SE 4

      At the start of the year, when a new iPhone is announced, one typically expects it to be one of Apple’s next-generation flagship models like the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro. However, this year, the announcement was not for the “iPhone SE 4,” but rather the iPhone 16e.

      This new model takes the place of the iPhone SE 3 as Apple’s most budget-friendly iPhone, yet it does not draw inspiration from prior SE versions. Instead, it bears more resemblance to the 2022 iPhone 14, which has also been phased out alongside the launch of the iPhone 16e.