iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Which is Better for the Modern Smartphone Filmmaker?

As is usually the case with Apple, the recent new iPhone announcement was its usual big news day, with Apple heads and Apple-hates alike ready with all of their hot takes. The big takeaway for the iPhone 16E, in particular, mostly comes from its price point, which is low—but not that low.There are also some new features like the A18 chip, which could prove to be quite popular, yet some other choices (like getting rid of MagSafe with the 16E) that could prove to be quite unpopular. Still, for those who work in film and video and at least consider the prospects of shooting video projects on iPhones an option, questions remain about which of these two models will be better.Let’s compare and contrast the pros and cons of the iPhone 16E versus the iPhone 16 to see which might be better for the modern smartphone filmmaker.The Build and DisplaySo, just looking at these two iPhones might make it hard to notice a difference. Both have a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate. There’s a slight difference in peak brightness, with the 16 model reaching 2,000 nits over the 16E’s 1,200 nits.Both models will feature the same alumni design and weigh just about the same (the 16 being 3 grams heavier). The most notable difference might simply be that the iPhone 16 will include a Camera Control button, which the 16E has dropped.Both models will include the same USB-C port, and neither will have a headphone jack. So, it's hard to say if either has a clear advantage here.Storage and BatteryThe next category to consider will be how much storage and battery life these models offer. And, again, there isn’t a lot of difference between the two. Both models will come in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB options, so storage will be up to you and your budget. The iPhone 16E does excel over its 16 counterpart with up to 26 hours of video playback with its battery life, up from the 21 hours that the iPhone 16 model can offer. This has to do with the iPhone 16E running on Apple’s new 5G modem, which is called C1 and gives the 16E a more efficient battery drain. Both models support 20-watt wired charging. However, a kicker for many might be that the iPhone 16E does not offer MagSafe. While it does offer 7.5W Qi wireless charging, the 16 model will be capable of 15W Qi2 charging and will include MagSafe, which can push charging specs up to 25W with a 30W adapter.Camera and Video RecordingThe ultimate category, though, will come down to the differences in cameras and video. The iPhone 16E is notable for its 2-in-1 camera system, which features a 48MP Fusion camera and a 2x telephoto. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 model features an advanced dual-camera system that also marks the use of a 48MP Fusion camera along with a 12MP ultrawide camera and 2x telephoto.Both models will also include 12MP front-facing cameras for selfie video. There’s also not a huge difference in recording specs as both models can 4K video at 60 frames per second. The iPhone 16 can also shoot 1080p spatial video, but only at 30 frames per second.Apple IntelligenceWhile it’s not necessarily a video recording feature, to many, Apple Intelligence will be a chief selling point for the iPhone 16E—a feature that was previously only available in the Pro models. If Apple Intelligence moves the needle for you with its Siri-powered note-writing and clean-up tools, then it could be a deciding factor.Which is Better for Filmmakers?At the end of the day, there isn’t a huge difference between these two iPhone 16 models. Price point might honestly be the deciding factor for many, with the iPhone 16E retailing at $599 versus the iPhone 16 costing $799. With all that being said, the iPhone 16 Pro with its 4K 120fps Dolby Video would certainly be the best option, but it will cost a bit more, too, with a $999 price point.

Feb 21, 2025 - 19:21

iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: Which is Better for the Modern Smartphone Filmmaker?

As is usually the case with Apple, the recent new iPhone announcement was its usual big news day, with Apple heads and Apple-hates alike ready with all of their hot takes. The big takeaway for the iPhone 16E, in particular, mostly comes from its price point, which is low—but not that low.

There are also some new features like the A18 chip, which could prove to be quite popular, yet some other choices (like getting rid of MagSafe with the 16E) that could prove to be quite unpopular. Still, for those who work in film and video and at least consider the prospects of shooting video projects on iPhones an option, questions remain about which of these two models will be better.

Let’s compare and contrast the pros and cons of the iPhone 16E versus the iPhone 16 to see which might be better for the modern smartphone filmmaker.

The Build and Display

So, just looking at these two iPhones might make it hard to notice a difference. Both have a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate. There’s a slight difference in peak brightness, with the 16 model reaching 2,000 nits over the 16E’s 1,200 nits.

Both models will feature the same alumni design and weigh just about the same (the 16 being 3 grams heavier). The most notable difference might simply be that the iPhone 16 will include a Camera Control button, which the 16E has dropped.

Both models will include the same USB-C port, and neither will have a headphone jack. So, it's hard to say if either has a clear advantage here.

Storage and Battery

The next category to consider will be how much storage and battery life these models offer. And, again, there isn’t a lot of difference between the two. Both models will come in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB options, so storage will be up to you and your budget.

The iPhone 16E does excel over its 16 counterpart with up to 26 hours of video playback with its battery life, up from the 21 hours that the iPhone 16 model can offer.

This has to do with the iPhone 16E running on Apple’s new 5G modem, which is called C1 and gives the 16E a more efficient battery drain. Both models support 20-watt wired charging.

However, a kicker for many might be that the iPhone 16E does not offer MagSafe. While it does offer 7.5W Qi wireless charging, the 16 model will be capable of 15W Qi2 charging and will include MagSafe, which can push charging specs up to 25W with a 30W adapter.

Camera and Video Recording

The ultimate category, though, will come down to the differences in cameras and video. The iPhone 16E is notable for its 2-in-1 camera system, which features a 48MP Fusion camera and a 2x telephoto. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 model features an advanced dual-camera system that also marks the use of a 48MP Fusion camera along with a 12MP ultrawide camera and 2x telephoto.

Both models will also include 12MP front-facing cameras for selfie video. There’s also not a huge difference in recording specs as both models can 4K video at 60 frames per second. The iPhone 16 can also shoot 1080p spatial video, but only at 30 frames per second.

Apple Intelligence

While it’s not necessarily a video recording feature, to many, Apple Intelligence will be a chief selling point for the iPhone 16E—a feature that was previously only available in the Pro models. If Apple Intelligence moves the needle for you with its Siri-powered note-writing and clean-up tools, then it could be a deciding factor.

Which is Better for Filmmakers?

At the end of the day, there isn’t a huge difference between these two iPhone 16 models. Price point might honestly be the deciding factor for many, with the iPhone 16E retailing at $599 versus the iPhone 16 costing $799.

With all that being said, the iPhone 16 Pro with its 4K 120fps Dolby Video would certainly be the best option, but it will cost a bit more, too, with a $999 price point.