iPhone 16 vs iPhone 16th: What is the economical model worth the original?

The iPhone 16th, released in February 2025 took over from the 2022 iPhone SE. Presented as a more economical version of the iPhone 16, this phone is the perfect solution for small budgets, with a first price Close to € 700. But if the price difference is clear, € 719 for the iPhone 16th against € 969 for the iPhone 16, the technological gap also exists. There is therefore the question of the choice between one and the other.What will we miss by taking the cheapest iPhone of the two? Does the iPhone 16 are still worth a detour to this little brother to the letter “E”?Answers in this detailed comparison.

Comparison of technical sheets

Design & screen

A first point is obvious by looking at the iPhone 16th. This is hisStruggling resemblance to the iPhone 16. If the SE models, of which he is the direct descendant, are quite different from the other iPhone, the iPhone 16th is much closer to his contemporaries. Apple offers him in particular Face ID in place of Touch ID. The borders are thinner and the screen is now 6.1 inches, as on the iPhone 16 “classic”.

But the Californian firm did not only change the size of the slab on this iPhone 16th. She also added OLED technology. This offers an ever clearer image, clear and with more powerful contrasts. This novelty is a real coup on the part of Apple, the technology being normally reserved for smartphones sold around 1000 euros.

Camera & video

If the design and screen of the iPhone 16th are its strengths, without possible dispute, the photo block is its Achilles heel. Indeed, the Cupertino firm has decided to keep the iPhone SE system with a single photo sensor at the back of the phone. No ultra-large angle or dedicated telephoto lens therefore on this model. Unlike the iPhone 16 which has the ultra-large angle and therefore 2 objectives. The telephoto lens allowing an X5 optical zoom is reserved for iPhone Pro and Pro Max.

Despite the presence of a single sensor,The iPhone 16th defends itself with dignity. It has a lens of 48 MP and can film in Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 I/S. Apple even teams this sensor with a small integrated telephoto lens allowing an X2 optical zoom. We inevitably hoped for this phone, but the presence of such a powerful sensor can reassure lovers of photography. The iPhone 16th is in itself a very good photophone, without obviously being in terms of more expensive models.

Performance

In addition to the photo, another very important point makes it possible to differentiate the two phones before your purchase. Indeed, if you hesitate between the iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16th, the performance level of the two phones can be a very good indicator to help you.

On the side of the chip, the two devices are equipped with the same component. They have the right to SOC A18 designed by Apple, with the same amount of RAM and hearts of Neural Engine. Only the GPU differs very slightly with 5 cores on the iPhone 16 and only 4 on the iPhone 16th.

This does not prevent the two devices from beingCompatible with Apple Intelligence.Finally, the only notable difference between these devices is the presence on the iPhone 16th of a5g house modem, named “C1”.

We do not yet have much information on this chip, but it seems less energy -consuming than Qualcomm solutions, used in the "classic" iPhone 16 and all Apple smartphones since 2020. Difficult to know if this " C1 ”is faster than Qualcomm modems, only time and the first comparative tests will get an idea. We will update this article as soon as we have the necessary information on this point.

Connectors & Autonomy

Finally, with regard to connection and autonomy, there again Apple has not reinvented the wheel. The Cupertino firm provides the two phones with the same USB-C port. Nuance all the same, if the action button is present on the iPhone 16th, this is not the case with “camera control” which remains an exclusivity of the iPhone 16.

For autonomy, Apple announces thatThe iPhone 16th does better than its direct opponent. With26 hours of autonomy in video reading, it's 4 hours more than the iPhone 16 under the same conditions. The Cupertino company ensures that this gain in autonomy is largely due to the integration of the C1 chip.

Price and colors

The iPhone 16 and 16th are both sold in three storage versions, 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB. To date, the iPhone 16th costs respectively719 €, 849 € et 1099 €. The iPhone 16 is sold by Apple at the price of969 €, 1099 € et 1349 €.

For the colors, it is a final victory of the iPhone 16. Sold in 5 different shades (green, blue, pink, white and black), it is ahead of the 16th, which is only available in white or in black.

Our opinion

The iPhone 16th is aVery good smartphone, totally in tune with the times. Its compatibility with Apple Intelligence as well as its excellent autonomy makes itsmart choice, rational. But with a sale price above 700 euros, it may be too close to the iPhone 16 to be an economical solution.

In addition, its camera is a notch below other iPhone 16, a point, however very important for users. For these two reasons, we only recommend the purchase of an iPhone 16th only to people wanting a high -performance phone without and that can be satisfied with a very good camera, but limited to competition.

If you have to update your iPhone and you are not looking for the latest fashionable model, then the iPhone 16th is for you. Otherwise, you will have to look at the iPhone 16 or 15 pro, around 1000 euros. Finally, if you can afford, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are the best without possible dispute. A level of performance that has a price.