Apple has built a legacy of innovation, design elegance, and seamless user experience. But every now and then, even the tech giants stumble. Enter the iPhone 16e — the latest addition to the iPhone lineup, and arguably, its most underwhelming in the last decade. While Apple fans had high hopes for this model, the end result left many disappointed. In this blog, we’ll explore why iPhone 16e is the worst iPhone of the last 10 years, from design flaws to performance shortcomings.
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The Hype That Led to a Letdown
Promises Made, Promises Broken
Apple’s marketing around the iPhone 16e was, as always, slick and full of promises. It was pitched as the “affordable powerhouse” — a model that brought the best of Apple’s ecosystem without the premium price tag. But once it hit users’ hands, the reality painted a different picture. The iPhone 16e didn’t just fail to innovate; it felt like a step backwards.
Performance: More Lag Than Lightning
Mediocre Chip, Maximum Frustration
One of the key reasons why iPhone 16e is the worst iPhone of the last 10 years lies in its internals. Instead of using the latest A18 chip found in other iPhone 16 models, Apple opted for a slightly tweaked A15 Bionic — a two-generation-old processor. For a device released in 2025, this is simply unacceptable.
Tasks that should be instantaneous — switching apps, loading games, rendering videos — show noticeable lag. Benchmarks revealed the iPhone 16e trailing not just behind its siblings, but also behind older models like the iPhone 13 Pro.
The Display: A Visual Downgrade
The 60Hz refresh rate on the iPhone 16e screen feels jarring in 2025, especially when even mid-tier Android devices boast 120Hz or higher. Color accuracy and brightness are mediocre, and outdoor visibility suffers. For media consumption and gaming, the experience feels outdated — another reason why iPhone 16e is the worst iPhone of the last 10 years.
Camera Capabilities: Good on Paper, Bad in Practice
Budget Optics in a Premium Shell
The dual-lens system on the iPhone 16e mirrors that of the iPhone 12, lacking the computational photography upgrades seen in the latest Pro models. In low-light conditions, photos are grainy and detail is lost. Even the front camera — often used for FaceTime and selfies — struggles with dynamic range.
Apple touted “software improvements,” but in real-world usage, results fell flat. Users expecting iPhone 14-level performance in camera features were sorely disappointed.
Battery Life: A Persistent Pain Point
Battery life on the iPhone 16e is surprisingly poor. Despite Apple’s claims of “all-day battery,” heavy users found themselves reaching for chargers by late afternoon. The culprit? An older chip that’s not optimized for newer software and an underpowered battery cell compared to other iPhone 16 models.
Even more frustrating is the lack of fast charging — the 16e tops out at 18W, while competitors (and even Apple’s own higher-end models) offer 27W or more.
Build Quality: Plastic in a Premium Era
Apple’s decision to switch to a plastic back on the iPhone 16e left many puzzled. While the company claimed it was to reduce weight and cost, users were quick to criticize it as feeling “cheap.” It’s slippery, prone to scratches, and lacks the tactile premium feel Apple is known for. Compared to the ceramic shield or matte glass on other iPhones, the 16e just doesn’t measure up.
Limited Features, Full Price
Perhaps the most frustrating part of the iPhone 16e experience is how much Apple charges for how little you get. There’s no always-on display, no ProMotion, no MagSafe support, and limited storage options. At nearly $699, the value proposition simply doesn’t hold up — especially when the iPhone SE and older Pro models offer more bang for the buck.
User Feedback: A Community in Revolt
Since the launch, forums and social media have been flooded with negative reviews. Common complaints include:
“Feels like a 2021 phone in 2025.”
“Battery drains faster than any iPhone I’ve used.”
“Why does Apple think this is worth $699?”
Tech reviewers echoed the sentiment. One YouTuber said, “The iPhone 16e isn’t just underwhelming — it’s lazy.”
Apple is no stranger to criticism, but they usually bounce back stronger. However, why iPhone 16e is the worst iPhone of the last 10 years is easy to understand when you look at the facts: outdated internals, subpar display and camera, weak battery life, and a price that doesn’t reflect the compromises.
It’s a sobering reminder that even the biggest brands can lose sight of what made them great. Here’s hoping the iPhone 17 lineup learns from this misstep and returns to the standard of excellence Apple users expect.
