We’re lower than a month away from Apple saying the rumored iPhone 17. We count on the iPhone 17 to be a substitute the iPhone 16 which launched 11 months in the past. Apple’s latest cellphone, the $599 iPhone 16E, launched in February and gives a singular enchantment: Get a number of the iPhone 16’s greatest options (a 48-megapixel digital camera, iOS 18 and an A18 chip for Apple Intelligence) for $200 lower than the $799 iPhone 16.
However do you purchase the iPhone 16E now or watch for the iPhone 17 to debut in a couple of weeks? Sadly, the reply is not black and white — it relies upon.
Watch this: iPhone 16E Assessment
iPhone 16E vs. iPhone 17: at this time
The iPhone 16E is supposed to be a barely extra inexpensive model of the iPhone 16.
The iPhone 16E has the excellence of being Apple’s most inexpensive cellphone (earlier than provider reductions and offers) regardless of costing $170 greater than the corporate’s earlier low cost cellphone, the iPhone SE from 2022. The 16E is geared toward those that wish to get the latest most cost-effective iPhone with all of the Apple perks they count on, like a superb digital camera, companies like iMessage and FaceTime, and years’ value of software program upgrades.
The iPhone 16E carries the iPhone SE’s previous mantle and makes use of elements of previous iPhones to create an inexpensive one. For instance, the 16E’s display and physique are just like the iPhone 14 and it has the identical processor that the iPhone 16 has. On paper, the 16E is an improve in almost each method to the final iPhone SE. The iPhone 16E releases on the finish of February. However in order for you the iPhone 17, you are going to have to attend as a result of it would not exist.
Apple hasn’t introduced the iPhone 17, and you may’t preorder it but. The following iPhone is only a bunch of rumors that paint the image of a legendary newer cellphone that is higher than what’s accessible now. However the likelihood is excessive that Apple will launch an iPhone 17 in September, in just some weeks.
iPhone 16E vs. iPhone 17: September 2025
The iPhone 17 hasn’t been introduced but. On this image, we used an iPhone 16 Professional and put the quantity 17 behind it since there are no images from Apple of its unreleased cellphone.
What’s going to the iPhone 17 have that the brand new iPhone 16E would not? I don’t know as a result of Apple hasn’t introduced something but.
However we will take a look at a number of the many iPhone 17 rumors and postulate why it could or is probably not value ready weeks for. The largest rumor is that Apple would possibly debut a brand new iPhone mannequin with an especially skinny design, as reported by The Info. Nicknamed the iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 17 Slim, it will have the standard year-to-year additions, like a brand new processor and new software program, however its primary enchantment will doubtless be its new design.
Each cellphone Apple has launched since 2020 has seemed just like the iPhone 12 and had flat sides, apart from the iPhone SE. That very same iPhone 12 design can seen within the iPhone 16 collection together with the brand new iPhone 16E. And whereas many Apple lovers need an iPhone with a very new design, there’s logic to Apple retaining what works for its giant base of iPhone customers.
The iPhone 17 Air’s skinny design may have a big 6.6-inch show that slots in-between the 6.1-inch screens on the iPhone 16 and 16 E and the 6.9-inch show on the 16 Professional Max. The iPhone 17 Air can also be anticipated to have Apple’s C1 5G modem, the identical one which debuted within the iPhone 16E in response to famous analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
However even when the iPhone 17 had been out at this time, it is meant for a unique individual in contrast with the inexpensive iPhone 16E.
iPhone 16E vs. iPhone 17: Price range or flagship?
The iPhone 16E is the one cellphone Apple sells that has a single rear digital camera.
The true complicating issue between deciding between Apple’s brand-new low cost iPhone and its subsequent unannounced flagship mannequin is simply that: Would you like a budget-version of the iPhone 16? Or would you like one among Apple’s costlier premium fashions? And if that’s the case the true query needs to be would you like an iPhone 16 or watch for an iPhone 17?
Despite the fact that the one issues we all know concerning the iPhone 17 collection are based mostly on rumors, it should doubtless have an everyday base mannequin that begins round $800 and a extra premium Professional mannequin that begins at $1,000. Just like the iPhone 16, the iPhone 17 has a unique worth proposition and can doubtless be geared toward a unique consumer than the iPhone 16E.
It is also unclear if Apple will launch an inexpensive model of the iPhone 17 in 2026 — perhaps the 17E? The iPhone SE collection bought updates each two to a few years in contrast with the annual updates that Apple’s flagship line will get.
But when all you need is Apple’s most cost-effective, then the iPhone 16E is the way in which to go. And better of all, you possibly can purchase it at this time.
Purchase a cellphone while you want it
The iPhone 16E will little question be essentially the most inexpensive method to get an iPhone earlier than provider reductions and offers.
Finally, in case your present cellphone is damaged or has a cracked display and you could purchase a cellphone now, then accomplish that. Apple’s common iPhone 16 is an incredible possibility and, if you happen to’re seeking to purchase Apple’s most cost-effective cellphone, go along with the iPhone 16E.
If you’re due for an improve out of your provider, then issues get extra tough. 4 months is a very long time to attend, particularly for a cellphone Apple hasn’t even introduced or advised us about. But when your present cellphone is working nice, maintain onto that improve till September and reevaluate your scenario then.
Apple iPhone 16E Specs vs. iPhone 16, iPhone SE (2022), iPhone 15
| Apple iPhone 16E | iPhone 16 | iPhone SE (2022) | iPhone 15 | |
| Show dimension, tech, decision, refresh charge | 6.1-inch OLED show; 2,532×1,170 pixels; 60Hz refresh charge | 6.1-inch OLED show; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 60Hz refresh charge | 4.7-inch LCD; 1,334×750 pixels; 60Hz refresh charge | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 60hz refresh charge |
| 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) |
| Cell software program | iOS 18 | iOS 18 | iOS 15 | iOS 17 |
| Digicam | 48 megapixel (vast) | 48 megapixel (vast), 12 megapixel (ultrawide) | 12 megapixel (vast) | 48 megapixel (vast), 12 megapixel (ultrawide) |
| Entrance-facing digital camera | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel | 7 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
| Video seize | 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 | As much as 26 hours video playback, 21 hours streamed video playback, 90 hours of audio playback. 20W wired charging, 7.5W Qi wi-fi charging | As much as 22 hours video playback; as much as 18 hours video playback (streamed). 20W wired charging. MagSafe wi-fi charging as much as 25W with 30W adapter or larger; Qi2 as much as 15W | Battery dimension not disclosed (charger not included; helps wi-fi charging) | Undisclosed; Apple says as much as 20 hours of video playback (16 hours streamed) |
| Fingerprint sensor | None (Face ID) | None (Face ID) | Dwelling button | None (Face ID) |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | Lightning | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | None | None | None | None |
| Particular options | Motion button, Apple C1 5G modem, Apple Intelligence, Ceramic Protect, Emergency SOS, satellite tv for pc connectivity, IP68 resistance | Apple Intelligence, Motion button, Digicam Management button, Dynamic Island, 1 to 2,000 nits show brightness vary, IP68 resistance. Colours: black, white, pink, teal, ultramarine. | 5G-enabled; helps 25W wired quick charging; Water-proof (IP67); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wi-fi charging | Dynamic Island; 5G (mmw/Sub6); MagSafe; water-proof (IP68); wi-fi charging; eSIM; satellite tv for pc connectivity |
| US value begins 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 value begins 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 value begins 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) |