Apple has done it again—introducing a new product that feels more like a cash grab than a true innovation. The recently unveiled iPhone 16e arrives with high expectations, but its underwhelming specifications and questionable pricing leave us wondering: is this really worth it?
A Step Backwards in Innovation
While Apple markets the iPhone 16e as a budget-friendly alternative within the iPhone 16 lineup, the reality is far less appealing. The device features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display—essentially the same as its predecessor, the iPhone 15. However, it lacks some of the refinements found in higher-end models, such as ProMotion technology or a truly upgraded chipset that justifies its existence.
Powering the iPhone 16e is the Apple A18 chip, but don’t be fooled—this is not a major leap in performance over the A16 or A17, which already offer more than enough power for everyday use. Moreover, Apple has bizarrely limited the iPhone 16e to just a dual-camera setup with no notable improvements. The 48MP sensor is decent but offers nothing revolutionary. For a device released in 2025, this is underwhelming at best.
Questionable Pricing and Limited Features
The most frustrating aspect of the iPhone 16e is its pricing. With a starting cost of ₱39,990 for the 128GB model and reaching up to ₱58,990 for the 512GB variant, it’s hard to justify the expense. Why? Because the iPhone 15, which remains on sale, offers nearly identical features at a lower price. The only notable addition in the iPhone 16e is a minor chipset revision and a USB-C port—features that hardly warrant an upgrade from the previous model.
For a supposedly budget-friendly device, Apple’s pricing strategy makes little sense. Instead of giving consumers a real reason to upgrade, the iPhone 16e feels like a rebranded older model with a slight facelift—hardly worth the money.
A Potential E-Waste Disaster
One of the biggest concerns with the iPhone 16e is its potential to contribute to e-waste. Apple continues to push yearly releases with marginal improvements, leading consumers to discard perfectly functional older devices. With the iPhone 15 still available and arguably a better deal, the iPhone 16e seems like an unnecessary addition that will only add to the growing problem of electronic waste.
Furthermore, Apple’s strict repair policies and high service costs make it difficult to keep these devices running long-term, forcing users to replace them sooner than necessary. Instead of focusing on real sustainability, the company is churning out slightly tweaked models that add little value while increasing global e-waste levels.
Final Thoughts: Skip the iPhone 16e, Buy the iPhone 15 Instead
If you’re considering the iPhone 16e, do yourself a favor—buy the iPhone 15 instead. The older model offers nearly identical performance, a similar display, and a more reasonable price tag. Apple’s attempt to market the iPhone 16e as a fresh option is transparent at best and misleading at worst.
At the end of the day, the iPhone 16e is an unnecessary addition to Apple’s lineup, offering little in terms of real innovation while adding to the e-waste crisis. Unless you have money to burn, this is one upgrade that’s best ignored.
What do you think about Apple’s latest release?
