iPhone 16e First Impressions: AI-Powered Experience at ₹60,000 – Is It Worth Buying?

Apple has finally added a fresh twist to its iPhone lineup with the launch of the iPhone 16e, a model designed to bring flagship features to a wider audience. Priced at around ₹60,000, the 16e is one of Apple’s most affordable 5G iPhones this year. With AI-focused enhancements, a powerful A18 chip, and a refined iOS 18 experience, the iPhone 16e aims to be the sweet spot between performance and price.

Here are our first impressions of the device, based on its design, performance, camera, and AI capabilities.

 Unboxing and Design – Familiar Yet Fresh

The iPhone 16e comes in the classic minimalist Apple packaging. Inside the box, you’ll find:

• iPhone 16e handset
• USB-C to Lightning cable
• SIM ejector tool
• Documentation

In terms of design, the iPhone 16e sticks close to the iPhone 15 aesthetics — flat edges, aerospace-grade aluminum frame, and a ceramic shield front. It’s slim, lightweight, and feels premium in the hand.

 Color Options:

• Midnight Black
• Starlight White
• Blue Mist
• Coral Pink

Despite being a mid-tier model, it doesn’t feel "cheap" in any way.

 Performance – Powered by A18 Chipset

The biggest surprise is the inclusion of the A18 Bionic chip, the same one powering the standard iPhone 16. With a 6-core CPU and improved GPU, the phone delivers buttery smooth performance.

What AI Features Do You Get?

The iPhone 16e supports Apple’s new on-device AI enhancements, such as:

• Smart photo categorization
• AI-driven autocorrect and predictive typing
• Real-time translation in calls
• Enhanced Siri with contextual memory
• AI camera optimization for lighting and portrait shots

Even though the AI features are scaled down compared to the Pro models, they work impressively well on this device.

Camera – Reliable and Smart

The iPhone 16e features a dual-camera setup:

• 48MP Primary Wide Lens
• 12MP Ultra-Wide Lens

It borrows computational photography tricks from the iPhone 15 Pro, like:

• Night mode with faster shutter
• Smart HDR 5
• AI scene detection

In daylight, the pictures are vibrant and sharp. Portraits are well-balanced, and low-light performance is noticeably better than older models like the iPhone 13 or SE 3rd gen.

 Video Recording:

• 4K at 60fps
• Cinematic Mode (1080p)
• Action Mode stabilization

 Battery and Charging – Endurance Gets a Boost

The battery is slightly bigger than the iPhone 15. In our early tests:

• Easily lasts a full day with moderate usage
• Supports 20W fast charging and MagSafe

Estimated Screen-On Time:

7 to 8 hours on a single charge

 Display – Not OLED, But Still Good

The iPhone 16e features a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD with True Tone and Haptic Touch. While it’s not an OLED, the color accuracy and brightness (up to 800 nits typical, 1200 nits peak) make it perfectly usable outdoors.

Display Verdict:

It doesn’t feel like a downgrade unless you’re used to OLED panels.

 iOS 18 – AI-Integrated and Refined

iOS 18 introduces a more AI-driven ecosystem, and the iPhone 16e is compatible with most of its key features:

• Home Screen customization with smart widgets
• App locking with Face ID
• Improved multitasking and split-screen features
• Battery health analytics with AI tips

The A18 chip ensures the software experience is fast, fluid, and secure.

 Connectivity – 5G and Beyond

The iPhone 16e offers:

• Dual 5G SIM support
• Wi-Fi 6E
• Bluetooth 5.4
• NFC with Apple Pay
• Satellite emergency texting (in supported regions)

 Who Should Buy the iPhone 16e?

If you’re:

• An Android user switching to Apple for the first time
• Using an iPhone 11, 12, or SE and want to upgrade
• A student or professional looking for power and AI without breaking the bank

…the iPhone 16e is tailor-made for you.

 What’s Missing?

Of course, to hit this price point, some compromises are made:

• No ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate)
• No telephoto lens
• LCD instead of OLED
• No Always-On display

But these are trade-offs most users can live with, especially at the ₹60,000 price point.

 iPhone 16e Price in India

Available on Apple’s official store, Amazon, Flipkart, and Apple resellers.

 Final Verdict – Is iPhone 16e Worth ₹60,000?

 Pros:

• Powerful A18 chip
• AI-enhanced features
• Great battery life
• Smooth iOS experience
• Impressive camera for the price

 Cons:

• LCD display
• No telephoto lens
• Lacks ProMotion

Overall Rating:  4.5/5

The iPhone 16e balances performance, smart features, and affordability in a way that makes it a standout pick in 2025. If you want the Apple ecosystem and next-gen AI features without spending ₹1 lakh, the 16e is a smart and future-ready choice.