Apple iPhone 16e Review: The Best Affordable iPhone for 2025 in the UK

If you’re searching for a budget-friendly iPhone without compromising on features, the Apple iPhone 16e should be on your radar. At a starting price of £599 in the UK, the iPhone 16e provides cutting-edge technology, sleek design, and seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem—all at a fraction of the cost of higher-end models.

This phone is perfect for those who want a premium smartphone experience without the hefty price tag. In this review, we’ll highlight all the features that make the iPhone 16e a top contender for UK buyers and discuss why it’s the best budget iPhone in 2025.

Why the iPhone 16e is the Best Budget iPhone Yet

Apple’s iPhone 16e isn’t just a “budget” model; it’s a full-fledged iPhone that delivers premium performance at an accessible price point. With powerful hardware, intuitive software, and modern design, this iPhone sets a new standard for affordable smartphones.

Top Plus Points of the iPhone 16e

Modern Design: The iPhone 16e takes cues from Apple’s flagship models, featuring a sleek 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, matte glass back, and aerospace aluminum edges. It’s lightweight, durable, and built to last, making it a perfect choice for users who want premium aesthetics without the premium price.
Apple A18 Chip: Powered by Apple’s latest A18 chip, the iPhone 16e offers excellent performance for gaming, multitasking, and everyday tasks. Whether you're browsing the web, editing photos, or streaming content, this phone handles everything with ease.
Affordable Price Point: At £599, the iPhone 16e offers the best price-to-performance ratio in the iPhone 16 family. It’s more affordable than the iPhone 16 or 16 Pro, making it perfect for UK buyers who want a modern iPhone at a budget-friendly price.
Apple Intelligence: Gain access to Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools, Image Playground, and Clean Up. These tools make the iPhone 16e smarter than your average budget phone, improving productivity and photo quality while giving you access to cutting-edge technology.
48MP Camera: For those who love capturing photos, the iPhone 16e comes equipped with a 48MP main camera that takes high-quality, detailed shots in a variety of conditions. The camera features night mode and portrait mode to ensure your photos are always picture-perfect.

Design and Display: Premium Looks at a Budget Price

The iPhone 16e offers the same premium design Apple is known for, at a more affordable price. Featuring a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, the iPhone 16e offers vibrant colors and sharp contrast that make watching videos or playing games a visual delight. While the notch is back (a minor design choice), the phone still offers a seamless display experience with high brightness levels, making it perfect for outdoor use.

Display Features:

Resolution: 2532 x 1170 pixels for stunning visuals.
Brightness: Peak brightness of 1200 nits for vibrant content even under direct sunlight.
60Hz Refresh Rate: Smooth visuals that work well for most everyday tasks and media consumption.

Performance: Power and Speed Without the Premium Price

With the A18 chip and 8GB of RAM, the iPhone 16e offers premium performance that competes with flagship models. Whether you're handling everyday apps, playing mobile games like Call of Duty Mobile, or editing photos and videos, the A18 chip ensures everything runs smoothly and quickly.

Best Points:

Powerful A18 Chip: Delivers impressive performance across a wide range of tasks.
Multitasking Made Easy: No more lag or slowdowns even when switching between apps or multitasking.
Gaming Performance: The iPhone 16e can handle demanding games with ease, offering a smooth and responsive gaming experience.

Apple Intelligence: Smart Features for Smarter Living

The Apple iPhone 16e is packed with advanced Apple Intelligence features that make everyday tasks easier. This intelligent system helps you write smarter, organize your life more effectively, and even clean up your photos by removing unwanted objects.

Writing Tools: Improve your productivity with smarter writing suggestions and edits.
Visual Intelligence: Analyze images and receive real-time suggestions or search results.
Genmoji: Get personalized emojis based on your facial expressions.
Clean Up: Automatically remove people and objects from your photos to create perfect images every time.

These features work seamlessly within the Apple ecosystem, allowing you to connect your iPhone with your Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch for a cohesive experience.

Camera: A Powerful Single-Lens System for Stunning Photos

The iPhone 16e is equipped with a 48MP rear camera, delivering detailed photos in a variety of lighting conditions. While it lacks the ultra-wide camera found in higher-end iPhones, the main camera delivers sharp, vibrant photos with a 2x zoom (digital crop from the main sensor).

Camera Highlights:

48MP Main Camera: Stunning detail and color fidelity for everyday photography.
Portrait Mode: Capture professional-quality selfies with blurred backgrounds.
Night Mode: Excellent performance in low-light conditions.
2x Zoom: Allows for a closer look at distant subjects, though it’s not true optical zoom.

Battery Life: Enjoy All-Day Power

With 26 hours of video playback, the iPhone 16e offers outstanding battery life. Whether you're streaming your favorite shows, browsing the web, or playing games, the iPhone 16e lasts longer than many competitors in its price range.

Battery Highlights:

Fast Charging: The iPhone 16e supports fast charging and can reach 50% charge in just 30 minutes.
All-Day Usage: 26 hours of video playback for uninterrupted use.

Price and Availability: A Great Deal for UK Buyers

At £599, the iPhone 16e is the most affordable iPhone 16 model available in the UK. If you're looking for a budget iPhone that doesn’t skip on performance or features, the iPhone 16e is a great choice. It’s the perfect device for people who want the Apple experience without the high price tag.

Should You Buy the iPhone 16e?

The iPhone 16e is perfect for anyone looking for affordable iPhone alternatives with modern features like Apple Intelligence, powerful performance, and great battery life. Whether you're upgrading from an older iPhone or switching from Android, the iPhone 16e offers unbeatable value in 2025.

Buy the iPhone 16e if:

You need a budget iPhone with a powerful A18 chip and Apple Intelligence features.
You’re looking for great camera quality with a 48MP sensor.
You want to enjoy all-day battery life without worrying about charging.
You’re in the UK and want the best deal on a new iPhone.

Don’t buy the iPhone 16e if:

You need an ultra-wide camera or advanced zoom capabilities.
You prefer the Dynamic Island or MagSafe.

Conclusion: The Best Affordable iPhone for 2025

The iPhone 16e is the best option for those who want a high-quality, budget-friendly iPhone that delivers a premium experience. With its powerful A18 chip, Apple Intelligence features, and fantastic camera system, it offers incredible value for UK buyers. Don’t miss out—buy the iPhone 16e today and enjoy the best of Apple at an unbeatable price.

Here is Some Questions OF Our Trusted Customer

1. What's the difference between iPhone 16 and 16e?

The iPhone 16 offers premium features like multiple cameras, Dynamic Island, and a faster A18 Pro chip, while the iPhone 16e is a more affordable model with a single 48MP camera, Apple Intelligence, and a slightly lower performance but still powered by the A18 chip.

2. Is the iPhone 16e launched?

Yes, the iPhone 16e was officially launched in February 2025 with a starting price of £599 in the UK.

3. What cases fit the iPhone 16e?

The iPhone 16e uses cases designed for iPhone 16 (6.1-inch) and other similarly sized phones. Make sure to check for compatibility with the iPhone 16e to ensure a perfect fit.

4. What is special about the iPhone 16?

The iPhone 16 features Dynamic Island, advanced camera systems, and top-tier performance with the A18 Pro chip, making it a premium choice for users seeking cutting-edge technology.

5. Did iPhone 17 come out?

No, the iPhone 17 has not been released yet. Apple is expected to release the iPhone 17 in September 2025, following their usual yearly release cycle.

6. What is the oldest iPhone being made?

The oldest iPhone still being made is the iPhone SE (2022), which offers a budget-friendly option with modern performance and design.

7. Which iPhone was never made?

There was never an iPhone 9. After the iPhone 8, Apple jumped to the iPhone X (10) to mark the 10th anniversary of the iPhone series.

8. Which iPhone is the best?

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is considered the best iPhone in terms of performance, camera quality, and features, offering the most advanced technology Apple has to offer.

9. Is there an iPhone 1?

Yes, the iPhone 1 (also called the original iPhone) was released in 2007 and revolutionized the smartphone industry with its touchscreen interface.

10. Will there be an iPhone 20?

It’s unlikely that there will be an iPhone 20. Apple is expected to continue its naming convention with models like iPhone 17, iPhone 18, etc., as the series progresses.

11. What devices are being dropped from iOS 17?

Devices like the iPhone 8 and iPhone X will no longer support iOS 17 as Apple drops support for older devices with each new iOS release.

12. Which iPhone to buy in 2025?

In 2025, the best iPhones to buy are the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16e, depending on your budget and needs. The iPhone 16e offers the best value, while the iPhone 16 Pro provides premium features.