iPhone 16e: Under-the-Radar Upgrades
Apple's new entry-level iPhone 16e replaces the iPhone SE series, boasting significant improvements. Beyond the prominent upgrades like the OLED display and Face ID, several noteworthy enhancements might have been overlooked.
Safety and Connectivity
- Satellite Connectivity: The iPhone 16e supports Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, and Messages via satellite, a feature absent in the iPhone SE 3. A 2-year free trial is included. For more on satellite technology, check out resources on iPhone power and recovery.
- Crash Detection: Utilizing a high-g accelerometer, the iPhone 16e can detect car crashes and automatically alert emergency services if the user is unresponsive. This life-saving feature adds another layer of safety.
Enhanced Features
- Improved Water Resistance: With an IP68 rating, the iPhone 16e can withstand submersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes, a significant upgrade from the iPhone SE 3's IP67 rating. Tips on maximizing battery life, which can be affected by water exposure, can be found in this guide.
- Optical Zoom: The new 48MP sensor enables 2x optical zoom by cropping into the center 12MP, resulting in higher quality zoomed images. This is a step up from standard digital zoom. For insights into other camera upgrades, explore articles like iPhone 17 Camera Upgrades.
- Night Mode: The iPhone 16e finally introduces Night mode to Apple's entry-level iPhone, allowing for significantly better low-light photography. This feature was missing in the previous iPhone SE models.
