Why You Shouldn’t Buy the iPhone 16e Right Now
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On paper, the iPhone 16e makes a lot of sense. It gives you a modern 6.1-inch OLED display, strong everyday performance with Apple’s A18 chip, solid battery life, and a starting price of $599. For many people, that sounds like the perfect balance between price and performance.
And to be honest, it’s still a good deal in 2026. If you just bought it, you have a fantastic device that will work flawlessly for years to come. On the other hand, if you’re not sure if you should buy it, we’re here to tell you the timing isn’t the best.
The iPhone 16e is in a tricky spot right now. It’s still priced as Apple’s current budget model, yet multiple credible reports suggest its successor, the long-awaited iPhone 17e, is right around the corner. If that’s true — and there’s every reason to believe it is — then buying the iPhone 16e today means paying full price for a phone that’s about to be replaced.
When Apple release a new iPhone, the value of the older model tends to drop very quickly. That said, we’re not saying you should wait endlessly for the next new device to drop, but it’s important to buy smart.
A New Model Is Likely Coming Any Day
Apple surprised everyone last year when it introduced the iPhone 16e, ushering in a new class of budget-friendly iPhones. While Apple had previously launched three very affordable iPhone SE models, the iPhone 16e changed the game by bringing a more modern look and powerful internals at a more wallet-friendly price.
The iPhone 16e launched early in 2025 — a similar release window to that of the iPhone SE models before it. Because of this, many rumors and speculations point out that Apple is set to refresh its more affordable iPhone models pretty soon.
Apple has sent out invites for a special media event on March 4, and reliable reports suggest we can expect a “flurry of new products” next week. Combined with other leaks consistently pointing to an early spring launch for the iPhone 17e, it’s safe to say we could see the new model land any day now.
The timing also lines up wite Apple’s usual strategy of quietly updating its lower-cost lineup before its main September event, which is reserved for the more modern and new iPhone models.
If the iPhone 17e does arrive in early March, that means the 16e is effectively at the end of its cycle. Buying a phone at the end of its life cycle is almost always the worst time to do it, especially when the replacement is expected to cost roughly the same.
That matters for resale value, long-term support perception, and simple peace of mind. If you can wait even a few weeks, you’ll get the newer model for the same money — or last year’s model at a discount.
The iPhone 17e Is Expected to Fix Key Weak Points
One of the strongest rumors surrounding the iPhone 17e is the return of MagSafe support. If that happens, it immediately removes one of the iPhone 16e’s biggest compromises.
MagSafe improves wireless charging speeds with 15W or 25W charging, and also helps with reliability and efficiency because the phone snaps perfectly into alignment every time. It also unlocks an entire ecosystem of accessories Apple has spent years building. Those also aren’t a gimmick anymore; they’re integrated into how people mount, charge, and carry their iPhones daily.
This change basically means that you can add a wallet, a battery pack, or even a phone stand to your iPhone with nothing but a magnet — a huge upgrade that makes the newer iPhones more comfortable and convenient to use.
Performance is also expected to improve. The iPhone 17e will almost certainly adopt Apple’s newest A19 chip. Even if you don’t care about benchmark scores, newer chips typically deliver better power efficiency. That translates into improved battery life and stronger long-term software performance.
When you buy a budget phone, longevity matters more than raw speed. And a newer chip usually means the phone runs smoother for a longer period of time. If the iPhone 17e launches at the same $599 starting price with those upgrades, the older model immediately looks like a bad investment, especially if you don’t plan to buy another iPhone for the next few years.
The Display Experience May Get A Subtle But Meaningful Upgrade, Too
The iPhone 16e uses a traditional notch design and lacks features like Dynamic Island that have become standard across Apple’s higher-end models. While that doesn’t break the experience, it does make the phone feel slightly behind the curve compared to the rest of the lineup. Plus, no one really likes a big notch at the top of the iPhone anymore.
While the most recent reports suggest Apple is likely to stick with the notch, we won’t know for sure until we see it. However, the iPhone 17e is still likely to gain at least some display improvements such as higher peak brightness, which can make a noticeable difference outdoors.
Display upgrades rarely sound dramatic in leaks, but they affect how a phone feels every time you pick it up. If Apple modernizes the iPhone 17e even slightly, it will make the 16e feel more obviously like the older sibling.
Future Software Features Will Work Better on Newer Hardware
Apple continues to expand Apple Intelligence and other AI-driven features across iOS. While the iPhone 16e supports current features, newer hardware tends to age better as Apple upgrades its software.
The difference might not be that big, but honestly, we don’t know for sure. For instance, on paper, there shouldn’t be that big of a difference between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 in the software department. But Apple made sure that the base 15 models don’t support Apple Intelligence. Of course, not everyone likes AI, and Apple Intelligence has had its growing pains. But if you want to be able to experience Apple’s latest features, the newer iPhone 17e might be worth the wait.
And even if you don’t care about AI, Apple will still continue to upgrade iOS. You might not notice it immediately, but two or three iOS versions down the line you’ll start missing out on cool new features.
If the iPhone 17e launches with the newer chip and other hardware upgrades, it will likely enjoy a longer window of peak performance.
The iPhone 16e Will Get Cheaper
Let’s say you don’t care about having the latest budget iPhone available, or that you really couldn’t care less about future software updates. Then, you might at least want to wait to buy the iPhone 16e at a much better price.
The moment a newer iPhone shows up, the older models drop in price significantly. For instance, Apple reduced the price of the iPhone 16 by $100 when the iPhone 17 was announced. That’s a lot of money, especially if you’re someone who’s looking for a true budget iPhone.
Granted, Apple will probably stop selling the iPhone 16e entirely as soon as the 17e is announced, but there will be plenty of other stores where you can buy it at a discount as they clear out old stock. If you already have $600 to buy the iPhone 16e, waiting a few more weeks means you might get it at a lower price, with enough left over to buy a set of AirPods.
This Is the Smart Play Right Now
The iPhone 16e is not a bad phone at all. It’s competent, modern enough, and priced to appeal to buyers who want a new iPhone without flagship costs. But buying it today at full price is not the best option for most people.
If the iPhone 17e arrives soon with MagSafe, a newer A19 chip, and possible display upgrades at roughly the same starting price, the 16e becomes immediately less attractive.
And if the 17e ends up disappointing, the iPhone 16e will still likely cost less anyway. Waiting a bit longer protects your money. If you can hold off even a few weeks, you’ll either get a better phone for the same money or the same phone for less money. Right now, patience is the smarter move.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]
