Before the iPhone 16e’s arrival, the best budget iPhone option was the SE, which had a decade-plus-old design and a tiny IPS screen with a lower resolution and an IPS panel. Replacing the SE with a product with modern design, top-tier specs, and Apple Intelligence is a major leap forward for Apple’s entry-level smartphone.

While it was originally expected that the iPhone 16e would resemble the iPhone 14, it has taken more than a few cues from the iPhone 16. Firstly, both phones feature a 6.1-inch display, flattened sides and a notch over the Dynamic Island seen in the iPhone 16.

A $599 entry-level iPhone with limited features, basic design, and tough competition from older models. Is it worth it?