Is the new chip worth the old design?

Apple’s new iPhone is also the most affordable iPhone, but whether it’s the best value depends on what features you value. Apple is still selling the iPhone 16 alongside the new iPhone 17e. Here’s how the two lowest-priced iPhones compare.

iPhone 17e has 2x storage, faster performance, longer battery life

At $599, Apple’s new iPhone 17e has twice as much storage, faster performance, and longer battery life than Apple’s $699 iPhone 16.

Apple’s new Apple 17e has 256GB of storage with a 512GB storage option available for $200. The iPhone 16 only comes with 128GB of storage and costs $100 more.

The iPhone 17e runs on Apple’s latest A19 chip compared to the older A18 chip inside the iPhone 16. Save $100 and get a new processor. The Apple C1X modem is also used inside the iPhone 17e, which has a new carrier privacy feature that doesn’t work with the modem inside the iPhone 16.

The C1X modem also contributes to better battery life with the iPhone 17e. Apple’s $599 iPhone gets up to 26 hours of video playback compared to 22 hours on the iPhone 16.

Like the iPhone 17, Apple uses Ceramic Shield 2 glass on the iPhone 17e, providing three times better scratch resistance and improved anti-reflection to reduce glare compared to the iPhone 16.

That’s all an impressive improvement over the iPhone 17e for $100 less than the iPhone 16.

The iPhone 16 has a new design and an Ultra Wide camera

Forking out an extra $100 for the iPhone 16 offers other benefits like a versatile camera and modern design.

The iPhone 16 has a Dynamic Island instead of a notch bezel like the iPhone 17e.

Not only does this make it look fresh, but it also has great integration with Live Actions for multitasking. The Dynamic Island design is used in Apple’s flagship iPhones. The particular notch style on the iPhone 17e is from the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14.

The display is brighter on the iPhone 16 compared to the iPhone 17e. The iPhone 17e display has a brightness of 800 nits max (standard) and a maximum brightness of 1200 nits (HDR). The iPhone 16 display boasts 1000 nits max brightness (standard) and 1600 nits max brightness (HDR) plus 2000 nits maximum brightness (outdoors) and 1 nit minimum brightness.

There are two rear cameras on the iPhone 16. The Ultra Wide camera offers a 0.5x zoom for capturing a wider view than the main camera at 1x. The secondary rear camera also enables macro photography, landscape photography, and Cinematic mode video recording.

Also, there is Camera Control on iPhone 16 to quickly launch the Camera and take photos. The iPhone 17e doesn’t have that.

Apple’s new iPhone 17e has Wi-Fi 6 compared to the iPhone 16’s Wi-Fi 7, and the iPhone 16 has a Thread radio and Apple’s second UWB chip for better integration with the new AirTag 2.

Which is the best value choice?

The iPhone 16 benefits from being the flagship model from late 2024 with a reduced starting price. The iPhone 17e, on the other hand, is able to deliver iPhone 17 performance, durability, and storage at a much lower price.

Which iPhone is best for you? Apple’s iPhone 17e will be available for pre-order from Wednesday, March 4, before hitting stores next week on March 11.