Head to head · October 2026
iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16e
iPhone 16e has 4 more hours of video compared with iPhone 16.
Pick iPhone 16 for
- Photography
From $799
Pick iPhone 16e for
- Battery first
No longer sold new
Our verdict
Which one should you buy?
Choose iPhone 16 if…
- you shoot a lot of photos: Dual 48MP rear cameras against Single 48MP.
Choose iPhone 16e if…
- battery life comes first: up to 26 hours of video against 22.
Side by side
Next to each other, to scale.
Screen size
6.1″ vs 6.1″
Both have a 6.1-inch screen. iPhone 16 is 2556 × 1179 pixels at 460 ppi; iPhone 16e is 2532 × 1170 at 460 ppi.
| Screen | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16e |
|---|---|---|
| Diagonal | 6.1″ | 6.1″ |
| Approx. area | 91.3 cm² | 91.4 cm² |
| Resolution | 2556 × 1179 | 2532 × 1170 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
Price
$799 vs —
Apple no longer sells iPhone 16e new; iPhone 16 starts at $799 at Apple in the US. Refurbished and second-hand prices vary by condition and storage.
| Storage | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16e |
|---|---|---|
| 128 GB | $799 · $6.24/GB | — |
Full specifications
Every figure, side by side.
| Spec | iPhone 16 | iPhone 16e |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced | 2024 | 2025 |
| Apple sells it new | Yes, from $799 | No |
| Height | 147.6 mm | 146.7 mm |
| Width | 71.6 mm | 71.5 mm |
| Thickness | 7.8 mm | 7.8 mm |
| Weight | 170 g | 167 g |
| Display | 6.1″ | 6.1″ |
| Resolution | 2556 × 1179 at 460 ppi | 2532 × 1170 at 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Top of screen | Dynamic Island | Notch |
| Unlock | Face ID | Face ID |
| Chip | A18 | A18 |
| Rear cameras | Dual 48MP | Single 48MP |
| Video playback | Up to 22 h | Up to 26 h |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| US price by storage | 128 GB $799 ($6.24/GB) | Not sold new |
| Colors | 5: Black, White, Pink, Teal, Ultramarine | 2: Black, White |
Sources: Apple technical specifications for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e; US prices from apple.com, checked October 2026. Apple does not publish RAM; it comes from Apple's Xcode device data as reported by MacRumors, or Wikipedia's list of iPhone models for older phones.
What reviewers say
16 or 16e?
Their conclusions, in our words. Follow the links for the full reviews.
CNET · Apr 2026
For everyday use you likely won't feel a huge difference; the 17's gains are a 48MP ultrawide, an 18MP Center Stage selfie camera and a brighter screen.
iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16: Should You Upgrade? ↗Macworld · Oct 2025
If you already own an iPhone 16 you can keep it, but if you're upgrading from something older there is no reason to choose the 16 over the 17.
iPhone 17 vs iPhone 16: The differences are astonishing ↗PCMag · Sep 2025
The iPhone 17 wins on display (120 Hz, brighter), cameras and battery; the 16 only wins on price, and it starts with half the storage.
Apple iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16: The Choice Is Clear ↗
FAQ
Questions people ask
- Is iPhone 16 bigger than iPhone 16e?
- iPhone 16 measures 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm and iPhone 16e measures 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.8 mm, so iPhone 16 is 0.9 mm taller and 0.1 mm wider.
- Will an iPhone 16e case fit iPhone 16?
- No. The bodies differ by 0.9 mm in height, 0.1 mm in width and 0 mm in thickness, and cases are cut to within a fraction of a millimetre. Buy a case made for your exact model.
- Which has better battery life, iPhone 16 or iPhone 16e?
- iPhone 16e. Apple rates it for up to 26 hours of video playback against 22 hours for iPhone 16.
- Do iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e have the same screen size?
- Both have a 6.1-inch screen. iPhone 16 is 2556 × 1179 pixels at 460 ppi; iPhone 16e is 2532 × 1170 at 460 ppi.
- Which is lighter?
- iPhone 16e weighs 167 g, 3 g less than iPhone 16 (170 g).
- Can I still buy iPhone 16e new from Apple?
- No. Apple no longer sells iPhone 16e new; you will find it refurbished or second-hand.
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