The iPhone 16E is Apple's latest offering, positioned as the most affordable option in the iPhone 16 series. With a price tag of $599, it's not exactly budget-friendly, but it does offer a reliable camera, simplicity, and familiarity that iPhone users have come to expect. However, the 16E is missing some essential features that may make it a hard sell for some customers.

In terms of design, the 16E is a modern take on the iPhone, with a 6.1-inch OLED screen and a notch housing the Face ID and front-facing camera array. The screen is very likely a version of the iPhone 14's screen, complete with a notch, but lacking the Dynamic Island feature introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro. The phone also lacks MagSafe, a feature that has become standard on recent iPhone models.

The camera system on the 16E is decent, with a 48-megapixel main camera that delivers nice images in most situations. However, it lacks an ultrawide camera, which may be a deal-breaker for some users. The phone also features a decent portrait mode, but it's the older version that doesn't allow for changing the focus point after the fact.

One of the standout features of the 16E is Apple's C1 modem, which makes its debut appearance in this phone. The modem has reportedly been plagued by setbacks and delays, but in practice, it seems to work just fine. The phone also features Apple Intelligence, which includes AI writing tools, Image Playground, notification summaries, and an updated Siri with a ChatGPT extension. However, the feature doesn't feel like a marquee feature on the 16E, and its usefulness is still to be determined.

The 16E's battery life is good, with Apple claiming it offers the best battery life ever on a 6.1-inch iPhone. In practice, the phone can easily last a day with moderate use, but long-term battery health is still a concern. The phone also comes with a new action button, which is a nice addition, but not a game-changer.

The biggest question mark surrounding the 16E is its value proposition. With a price tag of $599, it's not exactly cheap, and the lack of essential features like MagSafe and an ultrawide camera may make it a hard sell for some customers. However, for those who want a reliable iPhone experience without breaking the bank, the 16E may be a good option.

Ultimately, the 16E feels like a phone that should offer the essentials, but it's hard to say what's an essential iPhone feature and what's not. For some users, the 16E will be a good choice, but for others, it may not be enough. As the reviewer notes, "I'd rather have a cool magnetic accessory system and a neat quick-glance display feature built into my phone than Apple Intelligence, especially for $600."