Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 16e, a new addition to its lineup that aims to offer a balance between affordability and premium features. Positioned as an upgrade from the iPhone SE, the iPhone 16e delivers a larger display, improved performance, and a powerful camera system—all while maintaining a relatively budget-friendly price compared to flagship models.
But is the iPhone 16e truly a game-changer, or is it an overpriced upgrade? In this detailed guide, we’ll explore its specifications, features, Canadian pricing, availability, pros, cons, and whether it’s worth buying.
iPhone 16e Key Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED (2532 × 1170 pixels) |
| Processor | Apple A18 chip |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Rear Camera | 48MP Fusion Camera with 2x telephoto zoom |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth camera |
| Battery Life | Up to 26 hours video playback |
| Charging | 20W USB-C fast charging, 7.5W Qi wireless charging |
| Operating System | iOS 18 |
| Connectivity | 5G (No mmWave), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Security | Face ID |
| Colors | Black, White |
| Price in Canada | $899 CAD (128GB), $1049 CAD (256GB), $1349 CAD (512GB) |
| Release Date | February 28, 2025 |
iPhone 16e Design & Display: A Modern Look with Some Trade-offs
The iPhone 16e sports a sleek aluminum frame with a matte glass back, closely resembling the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 rather than the older iPhone SE models. Apple has eliminated the Home button, opting for an edge-to-edge display with Face ID—a significant design shift from the SE lineup.
It features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with 2532 x 1170 pixel resolution, delivering vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast. However, it still runs at a 60Hz refresh rate, which may disappoint users accustomed to 120Hz ProMotion displays on higher-end iPhones.
The notch remains instead of Dynamic Island, which Apple reserves for its more premium models. While this is a letdown for some, the notch houses the necessary Face ID sensors, offering a seamless unlock and authentication experience.
Performance & Hardware: A18 Chip & Apple’s In-House Modem
Powering the iPhone 16e is Apple’s A18 chip, offering faster performance, better power efficiency, and improved AI-driven capabilities compared to previous models.
It is paired with 8GB of RAM, making multitasking smooth and responsive. Apple has also introduced the C1 modem, its first in-house modem, which is designed to enhance 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity while improving battery life.
However, a notable downside is the lack of mmWave 5G support, which means users in areas with mmWave networks won’t get the fastest possible 5G speeds.
Camera System: The 48MP Upgrade
Rear Camera Features:
- 48MP main sensor with 2x telephoto zoom
- Night Mode, Portrait Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 5
- 4K Dolby Vision recording at up to 60fps
- Improved image stabilization for video recording
Front Camera:
- 12MP TrueDepth camera with f/1.9 aperture
- 4K video recording and Cinematic Mode support
- Better low-light performance for selfies
Battery Life & Charging: Solid, But No MagSafe
Apple claims that the iPhone 16e offers up to 26 hours of video playback, which is on par with the iPhone 15.
It supports 20W fast charging via USB-C, allowing it to charge up to 50% in just 30 minutes. Additionally, wireless charging is available at 7.5W, but Apple has excluded MagSafe support, meaning MagSafe accessories won’t work with this device.
iOS 18 & Features: AI-Powered Improvements
- Smarter Siri with on-device AI processing
- Live Transcription for calls
- Advanced text recognition in photos
- New customization options for the Home Screen
Canadian Pricing & Availability
The iPhone 16e is available for pre-order starting February 21, 2025, with an official release date of February 28, 2025 in Canada.
Canadian Price Breakdown
- 128GB model: $899 CAD
- 256GB model: $1049 CAD
- 512GB model: $1,349 CAD
Compared to previous iPhone SE models, the iPhone 16e comes at a higher price point, but it also brings significant upgrades in design, display, and camera quality.
Best Carrier Deals for the iPhone 16e
Bell
- iPhone 16e | 128 GB | black/white | $38.52/mo or $924.48 full price
- iPhone 16e | 128 GB | black/white | Device Return | $25.00/mo or $600 full price
- iPhone 16e | 256 GB | black | $44.92/mo or $1078.92 full price
- iPhone 16e | 256 GB | black | Device Return | $31.44/mo or $754.44 full price
Rogers
- iPhone 16e | 128 GB | black | $38.52/mo or $924.48 full price
Telus
- iPhone 16e | 128 GB | black/white | $38.50/mo or $924.00 full price
- iPhone 16e | 128 GB | black/white | Bring‑It‑Back | $26/mo or $624.00 full price
- iPhone 16e | 256 GB | black/white | $44.92/mo or $1078.00 full price
- iPhone 16e | 256 GB | black/white | Bring‑It‑Back | $32.42/mo or $778.00 full price
- iPhone 16e | 512 GB | black/white | $57.79/mo or $1387.00 full price
- iPhone 16e | 512 GB | black/white | Bring‑It‑Back | $45.29/mo or $1087.00 full price
Videotron
- iPhone 16e | 128 GB | black/white | $37.50/mo or $900.00 full price
- iPhone 16e | 128 GB | black/white | Take Back Credit | $25/mo or $600.00 full price
- iPhone 16e | 256 GB | black/white | $43.75/mo or $1050.00 full price
- iPhone 16e | 256 GB | black/white | Take Back Credit | $29.25/mo or $702.00 full price
eastlink
- iPhone 16e | 128 GB | black/white | easyTab | $35.67/mo or $856.08 full price
- iPhone 16e | 128 GB | black/white | easyTab Flex | $25.25/mo or $606.00 full price
Freedom Mobile
- iPhone 16e | 128 GB | black/white | $37.46/mo or $899.00 full price
- iPhone 16e | 128 GB | black/white | TradeUp | $25/mo or $600.00 full price
- iPhone 16e | 256 GB | black | $43.71/mo or $1049.00 full price
- iPhone 16e | 256 GB | black | TradeUp | $30.00/mo or $720.00 full price
Virgin Plus
- iPhone 16e | 128 GB | black/white | $38.52/mo or $924.48 full price
- iPhone 16e | 256 GB | black | $44.96/mo or $1079.04 full price
fizz
- iPhone 16e | 128 GB | black/white | $37.46/mo or $899 full price
- iPhone 16e | 256 GB | black/white | $43.71/mo or $1049 full price
fido
- iPhone 16e | 128 GB | black | $38.52/mo or $924.48 full price
Koodo Mobile
- iPhone 16e | 128 GB | black/white | $38.50/mo or $924 full price
- iPhone 16e | 256 GB | black/white | $38.50/mo + $154 or $1078 full price
- iPhone 16e | 512 GB | black | $38.50/mo + $463 or $1387 full price
iPhone 16e: Pros & Cons
Pros:
✔ Modern Design – No more Home button; now with edge-to-edge OLED display ✔ Powerful Performance – A18 chip and 8GB RAM ensure smooth usage ✔ 48MP Camera – Massive upgrade from the 12MP sensor on previous SE models ✔ Long Battery Life – Up to 26 hours of video playback ✔ USB-C Port – Universal charging and faster data transferCons:
❌ Higher Price – More expensive than previous SE models ❌ No MagSafe Support – Limited wireless charging options ❌ No Ultra-Wide Camera – Misses out on versatile photography options ❌ No mmWave 5G – Slower 5G speeds in certain areas ❌ Only 60Hz Display – No ProMotion for smoother scrollingIs the iPhone 16e Worth Buying?
The iPhone 16e is a solid upgrade for those coming from older iPhone SE models, offering a larger OLED display, improved cameras, faster performance, and better battery life.
However, at $899 CAD, it’s not exactly a “budget” iPhone. If you’re looking for a modern iPhone without spending over $1,000, the iPhone 16e is a great choice. But if you already own an iPhone 14 or 15, upgrading may not be worth it.
Final Verdict
The iPhone 16e brings Apple’s latest technology to a mid-range price point, making it a good option for those who want a newer iPhone without breaking the bank.
However, if you prioritize MagSafe, a high refresh rate display, or an ultra-wide camera, you may want to consider the iPhone 16 or Pro models instead.
What do you think of the iPhone 16e? Let us know in the comments!
