Technologies

Should You Buy the iPhone 16E Now or Wait for the iPhone 17?

The iPhone 17 isn’t expected to launch in September, but the iPhone 16E is available right now. We can help you decide whether you should wait for the iPhone 17 or not.

We are less than a month away from Apple announcing the rumored iPhone 17. We expect the iPhone 17 to be a replacement the iPhone 16 which launched 11 months ago. Apple’s newest phone, the $599 iPhone 16E, launched in February and offers a unique appeal: Get some of the iPhone 16’s best features (a 48-megapixel camera, iOS 18 and an A18 chip for Apple Intelligence) for $200 less than the $799 iPhone 16.

But do you buy the iPhone 16E now or wait for the iPhone 17 to debut in a few weeks? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t black and white — it depends.

iPhone 16E vs. iPhone 17: today

The iPhone 16E has the distinction of being Apple’s most affordable phone (before carrier discounts and deals) despite costing $170 more than the company’s previous cheap phone, the iPhone SE from 2022. The 16E is aimed at those who want to get the newest cheapest iPhone with all the Apple perks they expect, like a good camera, services like iMessage and FaceTime, and years’ worth of software upgrades.

The iPhone 16E carries the iPhone SE’s old mantle and uses parts of old iPhones to create an affordable one. For example, the 16E’s screen and body are similar to the iPhone 14 and it has the same processor that the iPhone 16 has. On paper, the 16E is an upgrade in nearly every way to the last iPhone SE. The iPhone 16E releases at the end of February. But if you want the iPhone 17, you’re going to have to wait because it doesn’t exist.

Apple hasn’t announced the iPhone 17, and you can’t preorder it yet. The next iPhone is just a bunch of rumors that paint the picture of a mythical newer phone that’s better than what’s available now. But the chances are high that Apple will release an iPhone 17 in September, in just a few weeks.

iPhone 16E vs. iPhone 17: September 2025

What will the iPhone 17 have that the new iPhone 16E doesn’t? I have no idea because Apple hasn’t announced anything yet.

But we can look at some of the many iPhone 17 rumors and postulate why it may or may not be worth waiting weeks for. The biggest rumor is that Apple might debut a new iPhone model with an extremely thin design, as reported by The Information. Nicknamed the iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 17 Slim, it would have the usual year-to-year additions, like a new processor and new software, but its main appeal will likely be its new design.

Every phone Apple has launched since 2020 has looked similar to the iPhone 12 and had flat sides, except for the iPhone SE. That same iPhone 12 design can seen in the iPhone 16 series including the new iPhone 16E. And while many Apple enthusiasts want an iPhone with a truly new design, there is logic to Apple keeping what works for its large base of iPhone users.

The iPhone 17 Air’s thin design could have a large 6.6-inch display that slots in-between the 6.1-inch screens on the iPhone 16 and 16 E and the 6.9-inch display on the 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Air is also expected to have Apple’s C1 5G modem, the same one that debuted in the iPhone 16E according to noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

But even if the iPhone 17 were out today, it’s meant for a different person compared with the affordable iPhone 16E.

Apple’s New iPhone 16E in 8 Photos

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iPhone 16E vs. iPhone 17: Budget or flagship?

The true complicating factor between deciding between Apple’s brand-new cheap iPhone and its next unannounced flagship model is just that: Do you want a budget-version of the iPhone 16? Or do you want one of Apple’s more expensive premium models? And if so the real question should be do you want an iPhone 16 or wait for an iPhone 17?

Even though the only things we know about the iPhone 17 series are based on rumors, it will likely have a regular base model that starts around $800 and a more premium Pro model that starts at $1,000. Like the iPhone 16, the iPhone 17 has a different value proposition and will likely be aimed at a different user than the iPhone 16E.

It’s also unclear if Apple will release an affordable version of the iPhone 17 in 2026 — maybe the 17E? The iPhone SE series got updates every two to three years compared with the annual updates that Apple’s flagship line gets.
But if all you want is Apple’s cheapest, then the iPhone 16E is the way to go. And best of all, you can buy it today.

Buy a phone when you need it

Ultimately, if your current phone is broken or has a cracked screen and you need to buy a phone now, then do so. Apple’s regular iPhone 16 is an amazing option and, if you’re looking to buy Apple’s cheapest phone, go with the iPhone 16E.

If you are due for an upgrade from your carrier, then things get more tricky. Four months is a long time to wait, especially for a phone Apple hasn’t even announced or told us about. But if your current phone is working fine, hold onto that upgrade until September and reevaluate your situation then.

Apple iPhone 16E Specs vs. iPhone 16, iPhone SE (2022), iPhone 15

	Apple iPhone 16E	iPhone 16	iPhone SE (2022)	iPhone 15
Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate	6.1-inch OLED display; 2,532×1,170 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate	6.1-inch OLED display; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate	4.7-inch LCD; 1,334×750 pixels; 60Hz refresh rate	6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 60hz refresh rate
Pixel density	460ppi	460ppi	326ppi	460ppi
Dimensions (inches)	5.78×2.82×0.31	5.81×2.82×0.31	5.45×2.65×0.29	2.82×5.81×0.31
Dimensions (millimeters)	146.7×71.5×7.8	147.6×71.6×7.8	138.4×67.3×7.3	71.6×147.6×7.8
Weight	167 grams (5.88 ounces)	170g (6oz)	144g (5.09oz)	171g (6.02oz)
Mobile software	iOS 18	iOS 18	iOS 15	iOS 17
Camera	48 megapixel (wide)	48 megapixel (wide), 12 megapixel (ultrawide)	12 megapixel (wide)	48 megapixel (wide), 12 megapixel (ultrawide)
Front-facing camera	12 megapixel	12 megapixel	7 megapixel	12 megapixel
Video capture	4K	4K	4K	4K
Processor	Apple A18	Apple A18	Apple A15 Bionic	Apple A16 Bionic
RAM/storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB	64GB, 128GB, 256GB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Expandable storage	None	None	None	None
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	Up to 22 hours video playback; up to 18 hours video playback (streamed). 20W wired charging. MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with 30W adapter or higher; Qi2 up to 15W	Battery size not disclosed (charger not included; supports wireless charging)	Undisclosed; Apple says up to 20 hours of video playback (16 hours streamed)
Fingerprint sensor	None (Face ID)	None (Face ID)	Home button	None (Face ID)
Connector	USB-C	USB-C	Lightning	USB-C
Headphone jack	None	None	None	None
Special features	Action button, Apple C1 5G modem, Apple Intelligence, Ceramic Shield, Emergency SOS, satellite connectivity, IP68 resistance	Apple Intelligence, Action button, Camera Control button, Dynamic Island, 1 to 2,000 nits display brightness range, IP68 resistance. Colors: black, white, pink, teal, ultramarine.	5G-enabled; supports 25W wired fast charging; Water resistant (IP67); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging	Dynamic Island; 5G (mmw/Sub6); MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; eSIM; satellite connectivity
US price starts at	$599 (128GB), $699 (256GB), $899 (512GB)	$799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB)	$399 (64GB), $449 (128GB), $549 (256GB)	$799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB)
UK price starts at	£599 (128GB), £699 (256GB), £899 (512GB)	£799 (128GB), £899 (256GB), £1,099 (512GB)	£419 (64GB), £469 (128GB), £569 (256GB)	£799 (128GB), £899 (256GB), £1,099 (512GB)
Australia price starts at	AU$999 (128GB), AU$1,199 (256GB), AU$1,549 (512GB)	AU$1,399 (128GB), AU$1,599 (256GB), AU$1,949 (512GB)	AU$749 (64GB), AU$829 (128GB), AU$999 (256GB)	AU$1,499 (128GB), AU$1,699 (256GB), AU$2,049 (512GB)

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, April 8

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for April 8.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Hint: It uses a lot of the letter Z for some reason. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: ___-Carlton (hotel chain)
Answer: RITZ

5A clue: Span of the alphabet
Answer: ATOZ

6A clue: Cable channel with an out-of-this-world name
Answer: STARZ

7A clue: Takes care of, as a squeaky wheel
Answer: OILS

8A clue: Toy on a string
Answer: YOYO

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: When a post receives far more negative comments than likes, in social media slang
Answer: RATIO

2D clue: World’s leading wine producer
Answer: ITALY

3D clue: Middle of the human body
Answer: TORSO

4D clue: Sleeping sound
Answer: ZZZ

6D clue: Tofu base
Answer: SOY

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for April 8, #562

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for April 8 No. 562.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is a tough one. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Working out.

Green group hint: Cover your face.

Blue group hint: NFL players.

Purple group hint: Leap.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Exercises in singular form.

Green group: Sporting jobs that require masks.

Blue group: Hall of Fame defensive ends.

Purple group: ____ jump.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is exercises in singular form. The four answers are crunch, plank, situp and squat.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is sporting jobs that require masks. The four answers are catcher, fencer, football player and goaltender.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is Hall of Fame defensive ends. The four answers are Dent, Peppers, Strahan and Youngblood.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is ____ jump. The four answers are broad, high, long and triple.

Technologies

The $135M Google Data Settlement Site Is Live — See If You’re Eligible

Use the settlement website to select your preferred payment method, and you may end up $100 richer.

You can now file a claim in the $135 million Google data settlement. The case centers on claims that Android devices transmitted user data without consent. Specifically, the class action lawsuit Taylor v. Google LLC contends that Google’s Android devices passively transferred cellular data to Google without user permission, even when the devices were idle. While not admitting fault, Google reached a preliminary settlement in January, agreeing to pay $135 million to about 100 million US Android phone users.

The official settlement website for the lawsuit is now live. The final approval hearing won’t occur until June 23, when the court will consider whether Google’s settlement is fair and listen to objections. After that, the court will decide whether to approve the $135 million settlement.

In the meantime, if you qualify and want to be paid as part of the settlement, you can select your preferred payment method on the official website. There, you can find information on speaking at the June 23 court hearing and on how to exclude yourself or write to the court to object by May 29.

As part of the settlement, Google will update its Google Play terms of service to clarify that certain data transfers do occur passively even when you’re not using your Android device, and that cellular data may be relied upon when not connected to Wi-Fi. This can’t always be disabled, but users will be asked to consent to it when setting up their device.

Google will also fully stop collecting data when its «allow background data usage» option is toggled off.

Who can be part of the settlement?

In order to join the Taylor v. Google LLC settlement, you must meet four qualifications:

Be a living, individual human being in the US.
Have used an Android mobile device with a cellular data plan.
Have used the aforementioned device at any time from Nov. 12, 2017, to the date when the settlement receives final approval.
You’re not a class member in the Csupo v. Google LLC lawsuit, which is similar but specifically for California residents.

The final approval hearing is on June 23, so you can add your payment method until then. The hearing’s date and time may change, and any updates will be posted on the settlement website.

If you choose to do nothing, you will still be issued a settlement payment, but you may not receive it if you don’t select a payment method.

How much will I get paid?

It’s not currently known exactly how much each settlement class member will receive, but the cap is $100. Payments will be distributed after final court approval and after any appeals are resolved.

After all administrative, tax and attorney costs are paid, the settlement administrator will attempt to pay each member an equal amount. If any funds remain after payments are sent, and it’s economically feasible, they will be redistributed to members who were previously and successfully paid. If it’s not economically feasible, the funds will go to an organization approved by the court.