iPhone 16e After 3 Months
I’ve had the iPhone 16e for three months. I never thought I’d prefer a smaller phone again…. well, a smaller iPhone, to be more specific. Before this, I used phones with larger screens and even foldables. Those phones are hard to beat for utility. But each day I use the iPhone 16e, I find myself liking its form factor a bit more. Don’t get me wrong – it isn’t perfect, and I will be saying it in this article; but, there are a few things that make it a likable iPhone.
Why Size Matters
I carry a bigger iPhone as my main phone. I like using many Apple services that just work together: iCloud, AirDrop, and all that. I never thought I’d want a smaller phone, but there’s something about the iPhone 16e’s size. It fits in any pocket. I don’t worry about wearing bulky jeans or a tight jacket. I can pack light.
If I leave my main phone at home, swapping the eSIM to the 16e is simple. With iCloud, everything syncs. It’s just like using my main iPhone—only lighter. I won’t have to miss the essential features that I love from Apple’s ecosystem.
Ecosystem and Portability
And yes, the key reason I’ve stuck with the iPhone 16e is that it doesn’t mean giving up the Apple ecosystem.
For me, portability doesn’t mean compromise. I get the same texts, photos, and apps. Calls work just like it is on my iPhone 16 Pro Max. My AirPods work on this device, and enjoy Apple Music with extra features built for the iPhone. My Apple Watch pairs just as well. I can start a document on my MacBook at work and finish it on my phone on the car. The only real change is that the hardware is easier to carry, albeit less powerful than other models.
The Camera Falls Short
But there are trade-offs. The camera isn’t the best. I notice this every time I try to take a picture in low light or want a crisp close-up of a subject. It’s fine for quick shots for social, but if you care a lot about camera quality, the iPhone 16e falls short. I use a Xiaomi 15 sometimes. Its cameras are stronger and the build quality is good. If all I wanted was a small phone with a great camera, I’d use that, if I may be honest.
Software: iOS 26 Beta Feels Polished
I run the iOS 26 beta on my iPhone 16e. The software is far from stable, but it finally makes the software look better and more aesthetic. Surprising, apps launch fast and jerk free.
However, I don’t think the new iOS will change much for most users, but the 16e looks a little nicer on the latest software. The small screen matches the clean UI. And if you care about aesthetics, iOS 26 feels right at home on this device.
Gaming and Overall Hardware Performance – Better Than Expected
Can you play games on the iPhone 16e? Yes, and it’s better than I expected for a phone this size. The display is bright and touch response is accurate. I’ve hooked up a Gamesir G8+ controller and played a few longer sessions. I haven’t felt the need for a dedicated handheld gaming system as much.
You can game much better here than on older “small” iPhones. Still, if gaming is your main focus, you’ll probably keep looking at bigger phones or actual handhelds.
In terms of our benchmark tests though, The iPhone 16e offers reliable performance, but it consistently scores lower than the iPhone 16 Pro Max in every major benchmark test. For example, in Antutu, the 16e gets 1,110,696 points, which is a lot lower than the 1,749,852 points of the 16 Pro Max. This is also seen in Geekbench Single Core and Multi Core results, where the 16e’s scores show it’s not as fast or powerful as the Pro Max. On 3DMark Wild Life Extreme, the Pro Max’s graphics performance is almost double, making it much better for gaming and heavy apps.
The iPhone 16e is best for users who want good performance for daily tasks at a more affordable price. If you need the fastest speeds, more power, or the top gaming experience, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the clear winner. The 16e stands as a solid, budget-friendly alternative, but it can’t match the Pro Max’s high-end capabilities.
Price and Performance
The iPhone 16e is still expensive for its performance. You pay for the Apple brand, for the ecosystem, for the polish. But the hardware isn’t as strong as the price suggests. If you can’t afford an iPhone 15 Pro or a full-sized iPhone 16, starting with the 16e makes sense—especially if you just want into the Apple world. If you don’t care for iOS or Apple services, Android phones offer better specs at the same price or less. I can’t ignore that.
Is It a Good Pick for August 2025?
If you’re already an Apple fan and want a smaller phone, the iPhone 16e is a solid choice. It keeps the Apple experience familiar and fits anywhere. I’d pick it for anyone who wants something small and lightweight. But if you care about top performance or camera quality, this isn’t it. The 16e is underpowered compared to recent Android flagships and Apple’s own bigger phones.
So is it worth it?
Switching to the iPhone 16e made me pay attention to what I really care about in a phone. I still think bigger, more powerful devices do more. But after three months, I keep the 16e around because it’s easy to live with. It just works, even if it doesn’t wow me. If you want a simple phone that never feels too big, it’s a good pick. Just know you’ll give up a bit in performance and camera quality. For some, it’s worth it. For others, it won’t be enough.
Check out our articles about the iPhone 16e below:
iPhone 16e Now Available for Pre-Order at Beyond the Box
The iPhone 16e is available at Beyond the Box, open_source by Beyond the Box, and Digital Walker.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
