Technologies
iPhone 16E vs. iPhone SE (2022): Comparing Apple’s New and Old Budget Phones
A higher price tag also brings new features and capabilities. Here’s how the phones stack up.

Apple’s latest budget phone, the iPhone 16E is finally out, three years after the launch of the third-generation iPhone SE. That’s a relatively long time for mobile developments to evolve — and for the sticker price to rise alongside those improvements.
The 2022 iPhone SE had a $429 starting price, and the iPhone 16E starts at a notably higher $599. Apple has removed the older, cheaper iPhone SE from its store, so you’ll have to buy it secondhand or head to a third-party seller before the phone is out of stock. The iPhone 16E is available now, and you can check out a list of the best deals here.
So, what improvements will you find on the iPhone 16E, and how does it compare with its predecessor? Here’s everything you need to know.
Display and build
While the 2022 iPhone SE had a 4.7-inch LCD display, the iPhone 16E levels things up with a 6.1-inch OLED display (still with a 60Hz refresh rate, though; sorry). With the 16E, you still won’t get some features found on Apple’s pricier flagship phones like Dynamic Island or a Camera Control button, but you will get an Action button.
Perhaps the biggest design change is that, with the switch to a full front screen, Apple has scrapped the home button on the iPhone 16E, opting instead for Face ID to match the rest of its current phones. The 16E has also been upgraded to a USB-C port, spelling the end for Lightning. Neither phone has a headphone jack.
Both the iPhone SE and iPhone 16E have aluminum frames, with the larger size of the 16E giving it a bit more weight: 167 grams, versus the SE’s 144g. The iPhone SE has an IP67 rating for water resistance, while the 16E bumps that to an IP68 rating.
The iPhone SE comes in black, white and Product RED. The iPhone 16E comes in black and white.
Camera comparison
The iPhone SE and iPhone 16E each have one rear camera: a 12-megapixel wide camera on the SE and a 48-megapixel wide on the 16E. The 16E also upgrades the front-facing camera from 7 megapixels to 12 megapixels.
Both phones shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second.
Battery and charging
Apple has been touting improved battery on the iPhone 16E, which the company says can support up to 26 hours of video playback, versus 15 hours on the iPhone SE. That longer battery life is largely due to the iPhone 16E packing Apple’s first-ever 5G modem, called the C1. The company calls it the «most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone.»
Both phones support 20-watt wired charging and 7.5-watt wireless charging.
Processor, Apple Intelligence and storage
The 2022 iPhone runs on the A15 Bionic chip, while the iPhone 16E is powered by the A18 chip — just like the $799 iPhone 16. That means Apple’s latest lower-priced phone can also support Apple Intelligence, just like the iPhone 16 lineup and the iPhone 15 Pro models. It also supports Emergency SOS and satellite connectivity, so you can message emergency services and your loved ones, even when you don’t have a cellular connection.
While the iPhone SE comes with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of storage, the iPhone 16E offers a larger 512GB storage option, as well as 128GB and 256GB options. Neither phone has expandable storage.
Check out the spec chart below for more details on each phone.
iPhone 16E vs. iPhone SE (2022)
Apple iPhone 16E | Apple iPhone SE (2022) | |
Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display; 2,532×1,170 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate | 4.7-inch LCD; (1,334×750 pixels); 60Hz |
Pixel density | 460ppi | 326ppi |
Dimensions (inches) | 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 in. | 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in. |
Dimensions (millimeters) | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm |
Weight (grams, ounces) | 167g (5.88 oz.) | 5.09 oz.; 144g |
Mobile software | iOS 18 | iOS 15 |
Camera | 48-megapixel (wide) | 12-megapixel (wide) |
Front-facing camera | 12-megapixel | 7-megapixel |
Video capture | 4K at 60fps | 4K |
Processor | A18 | Apple A15 Bionic |
RAM/storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Expandable storage | No | No |
Battery | Up to 26 hours video playback, 21 hours streamed video playback, 90 hours of audio playback. 20W wired charging, 7.5W Qi wireless charging | Battery NA (20W wired charging — charger not included), 7.5W wireless charging |
Fingerprint sensor | No, Face ID | Home button |
Connector | USB-C | Lightning |
Headphone jack | No | None |
Special features | Action button, Apple C1 5G modem, Apple Intelligence, Ceramic Shield, Emergency SOS, satellite connectivity, IP68 resistance | 5G-enabled; supports 25W wired fast charging; Water resistant (IP67); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging |
US price starts at | $599 (128GB), $699 (256GB), $899 (512GB) | $429 (64GB), $479 (128GB), $579 (256GB) |
UK price starts at | £599 (128GB), £699 (256GB), £899 (512GB) | £419 (64GB), £469 (128GB), £569 (256GB) |
Australian price starts at | AU$999 (128GB), AU$1,199 (256GB), AU$1,549 (512GB) | AU$749 (64GB), AU$829 (128GB), AU$999 (256GB) |
Technologies
WWDC 2025 Set for June 9. What to Expect From iOS 19 and How to Watch
The tech giant has published the lineup for its summer software event, including details of how to stream the keynote.

Apple has revealed the lineup for this year’s WWDC, its annual developer conference, which is scheduled to take place from June 9 to June 13, with a mix of online and in-person sessions. The company has scheduled a special event for the first day at Apple Park, where it will stream its keynote and platforms state of the union address.
The June 9 keynote is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. PT, and will detail «groundbreaking updates coming to Apple platforms,» according to a press release. During the keynote, we expect to see the company announce its plans for iOS 19 and other software updates across iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV.
The platforms state of the union will take place on the same day at 1 p.m. PT, offering «a deeper dive into the new tools that will further empower Apple developers, including advances across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS.»
You can watch both events online via apple.com, the Apple TV app, and the Apple YouTube channel.
As always, iOS 19 likely won’t arrive later in the year (probably after the annual September iPhone event), but WWDC will provide us with our first glimpse of Apple’s plans for our devices. In the meantime, check out our iOS 19 wish list of features that CNET staff hope will be coming with this next big software update.
What is WWDC?
WWDC is a conference for the developers who create the apps we use across our Apple devices, from our iPhones to our MacBooks, to learn about new tools and features they can take advantage of that year. However, the event also garners significant attention from beyond the developer community, since it tells us all we need to know about what to expect from the next generation of software updates that will come to our devices.
The online event is free to attend for all developers, and anyone who is curious can tune into Apple’s keynote. But those who want to attend the June 9 event at Apple Park in person need to apply online. In the days following, students and developers will attend sessions where they can engage more deeply with the changes to Apple’s platforms, which will allow them to ensure their apps are fully compatible with and that they take advantage of those changes.
«We’re excited to mark another incredible year of WWDC with our global developer community,» said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of worldwide developer relations. «We can’t wait to share the latest tools and technologies that will empower developers and help them continue to innovate.»
What to Expect at WWDC 2025
If rumors are to be believed, Apple’s operating systems are set for a dramatic design overhaul this year. According to Bloomberg, iOS 19, iPadOS 19 and MacOS 16 will all feature new icons and menus, which will also change how our devices and controlled and navigated. The aim is reportedly to create a more cohesive style across platforms that will be reminiscent of VisionOS, the operating system designed for the company’s mixed-reality headset.
But that’s not all — Apple will likely use WWDC to outline the progress its made in the field of AI. «I’m looking forward to seeing more details about Apple Intelligence and the new features that will become available,» said Francisco Jeronimo, VP of devices at IDC. «This is critical for Apple, as Google Gemini and the Android vendors have taken significant steps forward with their AI offerings.»
Last year at WWDC 2024, Apple announced iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence — as well as updates to Siri that have yet to materialize.
Technologies
This Belkin Wireless Phone Charger Is Just $15, but Time’s Running Out to Get Yours
Wireless chargers are handy to have around. This one is now 67% off at Woot.

Sure, you can plug your phone into a cable when it comes time to top it off, but that’s so boring and kind of old school. Instead, why not treat yourself to a new wireless charger and power that phone in style? You might be surprised how inexpensive the switch to wireless charging is, especially if you take advantage of this deal. Right now, Woot will sell you a Belkin Qi-certified charger for just $15, and you’ll even get a power adapter in the box. That’s more than you can say about your phone these days.
This wireless charger comes in a stand form so you can use your phone’s screen and watch content even while it’s charging. It has a stylish black finish, so it’ll look right at home whether on your desk or table beside your bed.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
In terms of specs, the charger is Qi-certified, so it is rated for 15 watts of charging power, while the adapter is rated for 24 watts. That means that you’ll charge at the maximum speed allowed by the Qi standard when using a compatible phone.
It’s worth keeping in mind that this deal isn’t going to hang around for long, though. Woot says it will end in just a few days, and it could end sooner if stocks run dry.
Why this deal matters
Wireless chargers are a quick and easy way to get some juice into your phone while still having access to its display. But the best part is the fact that you won’t have to go fishing for your cable down the back of the nearest piece of furniture anymore. Can you really put a price on that?
If you could, we reckon it’d be much more than the $15 needed to get one of these wireless chargers, that’s for sure.
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