I'm holding the $599 iPhone 16E in the air – think Statue of Liberty pose – as I stand on the roof of CNET's six-story office building to test the new phone's Emergency SOS via Satellite feature. In a matter of seconds,

The iPhone 16E is the spiritual successor to the iPhone SE, bringing flagship-level performance for less than the standard 16. For $599 we really wish it included MagSafe, but those upgrading from older iPhones will probably be satisfied with what’s included.

The "essential" iPhone 16e is all you need to enjoy your visit to the walled garden. Apple Intelligence included.

The iPhone 16e is a significant addition to Apple's smartphone lineup for several reasons, starting with its name. The last iPhones whose names had a number and a letter were the iPhone XS duo and the more affordable iPhone XR from 2018.

While tech fans might find the iPhone 16e underwhelming, its practical features and fair price are exactly what many users need.

You'll pay more for the cheapest model in Apple's lineup, but the iPhone 16e is a marked upgrade over the iPhone SE 2022. In fact, it has a lot in common with the standard iPhone 16, complete with a gorgeous OLED screen,

The iPhone 16e has an IP68 rating, which means it is well protected against dust and water. It can sit in up to about five feet of water for up to 30 minutes without worry. This puts it on the same footing as the rest of the iPhone 16 family and slightly ahead of the Pixel 8a, which has an IP67 rating.

Apple's new iPhone 16e offers big features on a smaller budget, but are there too many compromises, and should you buy it? Here is our full iPhone 16e review.