I began using the iPhone 16e and it has surpassed my expectations.

      Yesterday was a significant day for Apple as it introduced the iPhone 16e globally. While every iPhone launch holds importance, the iPhone 16e stands out for several reasons. It represents the next iteration of the Apple iPhone SE series and, similar to its predecessors, offers a more budget-friendly option with fewer features than the rest of the lineup. Unlike earlier models, however, it includes several hallmarks of the iPhone experience, such as Face ID, an OLED display, and a state-of-the-art processor.

      Available for $599, it comes with several compromises compared to the pricier models, which could deter some users. These include an OLED display without the 120Hz refresh rate, the absence of an Always-On Display found in the iPhone 16 Pro series, and the limitation of just a single camera. The iPhone 16e is also the first to incorporate Apple's C1 modem.

      Despite my initial inclination to overlook it due to these trade-offs compared to the iPhone 16 Pro, after spending a few hours with the device, I've found that I appreciate the iPhone 16e more than I anticipated. Here's why.

      A modern, compact iPhone

      The iPhone SE series felt outdated as Apple transitioned to a more contemporary, all-screen design. Most recently, it was the only model featuring a home button, and in my last review, I noted a steep learning curve compared to Apple’s latest offerings.

      The iPhone 16e addresses this, feeling more familiar upon first use compared to the SE. It boasts the same ergonomic design as the iPhone 16, though it lacks the same color options. If you've used any recent iPhone, getting accustomed to it will be effortless.

      While I wish there were more color choices for this release—akin to the iPhone 5c era—it's fundamentally a charming, compact device. The 6.1-inch display is just 0.2 inches smaller than the iPhone 16 Pro, but the iPhone 16e is 0.5 mm thinner, 32 grams lighter, and slightly shorter. The weight difference greatly enhances comfort, making it even lighter than the standard iPhone 16 despite having a similar display size.

      Given the lukewarm sales of the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 13 Mini, it's evident that while I favor smaller phones, most users prefer larger displays. With that in mind, the iPhone 16e strikes a good balance; the display is large enough for users to feel like they have a significant screen while remaining comfortable to use one-handed.

      The display is impressive… mostly

      There's no denying that the 60Hz display on the iPhone 16e is noticeably less smooth for scrolling compared to the 120Hz refresh rate of the iPhone 16 Pro. This is expected, but the quality of other smartphone displays may further highlight this difference. I don’t recall the iPhone 16’s display feeling so noticeably different, but that was six months ago.

      However, not every user will notice the 60Hz refresh rate, particularly given the quality of the OLED display. This marks a significant upgrade over the previous iPhone SE models and uses the same Super Retina XDR OLED technology found in the other iPhone 16 models. Although there are other features that differentiate them, the iPhone 16e boasts a stunning display with a peak brightness of 1200 nits, likely sufficient for most situations.

      Aside from the refresh rate, it is disappointing that the iPhone 16e lacks an Always-On Display, even though the display supports it. This decision appears to be deliberate on Apple’s part. It will be interesting to see how this choice affects overall battery life, and I look forward to exploring this further.

      Robust hardware and battery potential

      The iPhone 16e is equipped with the same A18 processor as the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, and thus far, I haven’t noticed any performance differences. It represents a substantial upgrade from the previous iPhone SE model, but only time will tell how well this processor holds up.

      Under the surface, the iPhone 16e is expected to have 8GB of RAM, which meets the basic requirements for Apple Intelligence. It aims to bring Apple’s approach to AI to a broader audience, as one of the setup screens emphasizes Visual Intelligence. While I appreciate certain aspects of Apple Intelligence and see improvements, it remains unclear if this will be enough to attract new customers.

      Apple’s selection of the C1 modem for the iPhone 16e suggests that it should be more energy-efficient. I’m eager to see its performance, but early tests indicate it may be slower than the iPhone 16 Pro. These initial trials are anecdotal, so I plan to conduct more comprehensive tests soon.

      The entire device is powered by the largest battery ever included in an iPhone. The base iPhone