When it comes to buying a new iPhone this year, you might find yourself stuck between two very different options: the iPhone 16e and the older but still powerful iPhone 15 Pro. Both sit around the $600–$650 price point, yet they deliver very different experiences. So, which one deserves your money? Let’s dive deep and find out.
A New Budget iPhone? Well, Sort Of.
At first glance, the iPhone 16e might seem like the successor to the iPhone SE 3, Apple’s earlier attempt at offering an affordable iPhone. However, the $600 price tag — and even higher in countries like Canada, where it costs around $1,100 — makes it hard to truly call the 16e a “budget” phone. Realistically, it’s better to think of the 16e as a mid-range iPhone rather than a budget one.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro, a 2023 flagship, now sells at a similar price — around $650. While it’s older, it comes packed with premium features that the 16e simply doesn’t match.
Yet, despite the differences, there are some surprising reasons why the iPhone 16e might still be the right choice for certain users.
Build Quality and Design
The iPhone 16e sticks to a more traditional design with an aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass on the back, and Ceramic Shield glass on the front. It feels familiar, with the sharper edges of older iPhones like the 14 series. It’s available in just two basic colors: black and white.
In contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro boasts a titanium frame — lighter, stronger, and simply more premium. It also introduces smoother, rounded edges, giving it a modern, refined feel. Color options are broader, including white, space black, and a natural titanium finish.
Interestingly, while the iPhone 16e is around 20 grams lighter than the 15 Pro, that weight saving doesn’t always feel like an advantage. Many users report that the 16e feels a bit “too light,” almost plasticky — a sensation uncommon for iPhones.
Display Differences
At a glance, the screens on both phones are impressive. They both have OLED panels with 460 PPI, offering sharp images, deep blacks, and excellent color accuracy. But the differences become obvious during everyday use.
The iPhone 16e is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, while the 15 Pro enjoys a silky-smooth 120Hz ProMotion display. Gamers, or even casual users, will notice how much smoother the 15 Pro feels when scrolling or playing.
Brightness is another key area. The 16e maxes out at 1,200 nits, while the 15 Pro reaches a blinding 2,000 nits, making it much easier to view in bright outdoor conditions.
The 15 Pro also sports a Dynamic Island and thinner bezels for a sleeker look, but functionality-wise, for many users, the older notch isn’t a dealbreaker.
One standout feature you might miss on the 16e is the Always-On Display, a luxury reserved for the 15 Pro.
Performance: Almost Neck and Neck
Powering these phones are two very capable chips. The iPhone 16e carries a slightly tuned-down A18 chip, while the iPhone 15 Pro features the A17 Pro chip. In real-world use, you won’t notice a huge difference — both are fast, smooth, and efficient for everything from casual browsing to heavy gaming.
However, the 16e, being newer, could potentially get one extra year of iOS updates compared to the 15 Pro. That said, the 15 Pro should still enjoy at least three to five more years of software support, which is more than enough for most people.
Battery Life: A Clear Winner
When it comes to battery life, the iPhone 16e takes the lead in a big way. Packing a 4,005mAh battery, it offers around 9+ hours of screen-on time, easily outlasting the 15 Pro’s 3,274mAh battery.
In real-world usage, the 16e had around 50% battery remaining after five hours of use, while the 15 Pro would be down to 20–30% under similar conditions. For heavy users or travelers, that difference could be game-changing.
Heat Management: Another Advantage
While the 15 Pro never overheated during regular use in many cases, there are widespread reports from warmer climates where it would become excessively hot, leading to screen dimming or even shutdowns. So far, the iPhone 16e has shown no such issues, making it a safer choice for those living in hotter regions.
Cameras: Pro vs Practical
Photography is one area where the iPhone 15 Pro truly outshines the 16e.
Even though both phones have a 48MP main sensor, the 15 Pro’s larger sensor captures more light, delivers better low-light performance, and offers more natural background blur. It also supports RAW photo capture and features like Cinematic Mode, missing from the 16e.
The 16e still delivers good photos for casual users but lacks the polish and depth found in shots from the 15 Pro. If photography is a priority, the older flagship easily wins.
iPhone 16e and iPhone 15 Pro Specifications
| Feature | iPhone 16e | iPhone 15 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Aluminum | Titanium |
| Display | OLED, 60Hz, 1200 nits | OLED, 120Hz ProMotion, 2000 nits |
| Chipset | A18 | A17 Pro |
| Main Camera | 48MP wide only | 48MP wide + ultrawide + telephoto |
| Battery Capacity | 4,005 mAh | 3,274 mAh |
| Color Options | Black, White | White, Space Black, Natural Titanium |
| Special Features | Action Button, Apple Intelligence | Action Button, Apple Intelligence, Dynamic Island, Always-On Display |
Which One Should You Buy?
The iPhone 15 Pro is objectively the better phone — better materials, better display, better cameras, and overall a more premium experience.
However, the iPhone 16e has its unique strengths: significantly better battery life, no overheating issues, a lighter body, and potentially longer software support.
If you want a phone that feels luxurious and you care about photography and display quality, the 15 Pro is the way to go.
If you prioritize battery life, heat management, and saving a little money without sacrificing too much day-to-day performance, the 16e could be the smarter pick.
FAQs
Is the iPhone 16e worth buying over the iPhone 15 Pro?
If battery life and avoiding overheating are your top concerns, the 16e is absolutely worth considering.
Does the iPhone 16e support MagSafe?
No, it doesn’t natively support MagSafe, but you can use a MagSafe-compatible case.
Which phone will get longer software updates?
The iPhone 16e, being newer, may receive one additional year of updates compared to the 15 Pro.
Is the camera on the iPhone 16e good enough?
Yes, it’s good for casual photography, but it lacks advanced features like RAW support and Cinematic Mode.
Which phone has a better display?
The iPhone 15 Pro has a better display with a 120Hz refresh rate, higher brightness, and thinner bezels.
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