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Apple’s iPhone SE alternative lastly landed earlier this month, and moderately than the extra conventional fourth-gen gadget most anticipated, it was an all-new entry. There’s lots to love concerning the iPhone 16e, particularly from a {hardware} perspective. From the flagship-class chipset powering it to the general clear design paired with premium supplies, it is a strong piece of {hardware} — simply do not energy it on, otherwise you’ll be confronted with the worst of Apple’s OS and AI choices.
Although I did not stroll away from my time with the iPhone 16e feeling significantly happy, there are nonetheless loads of precious classes for Apple’s Android-based rivals to remove from this telephone. From its single digital camera lens to its measurement and scope, listed here are 5 issues Android OEMs ought to take away from the iPhone 16e.
5
Non-flagship telephone {hardware} would not have to really feel low-cost
The iPhone 16e is considered one of Apple’s greatest designs in years
By far, the very best a part of the iPhone 16e is its design. Whereas it’d look nearly an identical to the iPhone 14 it changed in Apple’s lineup, within the hand, it is sporting a outstanding really feel. With matching matte glass and an aluminum body, the iPhone 16e seems to be extra just like the iPhone 5s than any smartphone the corporate’s made prior to now decade. At 167 grams, it is fairly mild, but delivers a premium really feel each time you decide it up. In truth, I truly suppose it is a better-feeling, extra engaging telephone than the rest in Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup (notch and bezel measurement however).
Whereas I would say Android’s midrange competitors bests Apple in plenty of methods right here, appear and feel actually is the iPhone’s robust swimsuit. Final yr’s Pixel 8a is comfy, positive, however its plastic again is not going to idiot anybody. The identical goes for Samsung’s Galaxy A-series; they’re all completely discover telephones, aping traits from the dearer Galaxy S25 lineup, however I would not name them outright engaging. Firms like Google, Samsung, OnePlus, and Motorola may all take notes from Apple right here. Feeling good within the hand would not have to be a lower nook.
4
Nor do cheaper smartphones must be enormous
A 6.1-inch show is perhaps all you want — or need
The iPhone 16e is much bigger than any of its house button-sporting iPhone SE counterparts, however that does not make it massive. Its 6.1-inch OLED panel is without doubt one of the smallest I’ve used prior to now 12 months of reviewing smartphones; actually, solely the entrance shows on Motorola’s 2024 Razrs are smaller, and that is undoubtedly dishonest. Whereas I am positive loads of iPhone customers — particularly these upgrading from an older SE mannequin or the iPhone 13 Mini — may want the display was a bit extra pocket-friendly, it’s miles from the behemoths that make up Android’s greatest midrange entries.
That is one thing Google’s carried out an awesome job of mastering. The Pixel 8a additionally has a 6.1-inch show, whereas the Pixel 9a is leaping as much as a 6.3-inch panel to raised match the remainder of its non-XL siblings. These are huge shows, to make certain, however in comparison with the 6.7-inch panels used on the Galaxy S24 FE, Galaxy A56, Galaxy A36, Galaxy A26, and… effectively, just about all of Samsung’s fashionable A-series, they really feel way more manageable. And do not let me idiot you into considering I am singling out Samsung — Motorola and OnePlus are simply as responsible.
3
Do not focus your total merchandise on AI chips
Even when you’re a believer within the tech, it is not there but
The largest mistake Apple made in designing the iPhone 16e was basing your complete product round Apple Intelligence. By crafting a midrange smartphone that needed to match the iPhone 16 Professional when it comes to on-device AI energy, the corporate compelled itself into together with a (barely downgraded) variant of its flagship A18 SoC. The result’s a $600 “low-cost” smartphone that eliminates plenty of options customers may truly need, together with additional digital camera sensors, a sooner show, and Apple-exclusive instruments just like the Dynamic Island, Digital camera Management, and MagSafe.
Google has seen loads of success sticking the identical Tensor chipset in A-series units, even when that may change with the Pixel 10a in 2026. And admittedly, that is okay! I do not suppose most consumers will discover the distinction between true flagship chipsets and their cheaper midrange counterparts, simply as I do not suppose AI functions have gotten adequate to deserve being the marquee promoting level of any telephone. By leaning into tried-and-true options and slicing the precise corners, Android can succeed the place Apple fails.
2
You do not want a large digital camera bump on a low-cost telephone
And you are not fooling anybody, both
The iPhone 16e wobbles exterior of a case. Place it on a desk, faucet the upper-left nook, and you will watch it flex in the direction of your finger earlier than shortly rebounding. It is not excellent, however it’s a hell of lots higher than a number of the different “price range” smartphones I’ve used as of late. Whereas I am all about constructing a recognizable design, it looks like most of those design choices come from making an attempt to make telephones look extra premium, moderately than act extra premium — simply have a look at the plague of 2MP macro “sensors” we needed to cope with for years as proof.
Largely talking, although, I’ve little question that the protrusion ranges of the iPhone 16e’s single lens is not pretend — it actually wants this quantity of house exterior the chassis. I’ve my suspicions this is not true for each smartphone on this sub-flagship house. The OnePlus 13R is a superb price range flagship, however does it actually want that circular-shaped digital camera module, or is it merely to look each extra spectacular and according to the usual OnePlus 13? Your guess is nearly as good as mine, however the bump-less design we have seen on Pixel 9a leaks speaks for itself.
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1
However you must in all probability embrace multiple lens
If just for flexibility
The iPhone 16e’s predominant sensor is completely wonderful, particularly when you want the colour grading and post-processing look of Apple’s cameras. However that is all it’s — one sensor, irrespective of how Apple would love so that you can consider it as “2-in-1.” I feel most customers anticipate to not see a real telephoto lens at this worth level, even when that is perhaps altering with the Pixel 10 later this yr. However an ultra-wide sensor can be actually good to see on the iPhone 16e, and admittedly, I hope price range Android units do not observe swimsuit.
Whether or not you are taking (true) macro photographs or making an attempt to squeeze a gaggle of associates right into a single body, the inclusion of ultra-wide lenses is fairly essential as of late. The very best low-cost Android telephones already embrace a superbly first rate providing, and I am maintaining my fingers crossed that it would not change any time quickly. The iPhone 16e’s single lens may look higher than the digital camera arrays on dearer iPhone fashions, however it’s an ideal case of type over perform.
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Finances Android telephones are already nice, they usually’re certain to get higher
We have been dwelling in a renaissance of low-cost Android smartphones for some time now. From Google’s mostly-excellent Pixel A-series and the borderline flagship OnePlus 13R to Samsung’s personal boring-but-rock-solid A-series (boy, do these firms like utilizing the letter ‘A’ for cheaper merchandise), most individuals in all probability needn’t spend flagship-levels of money on their subsequent telephone. The Galaxy S25 Extremely and Pixel 9 Professional XL is perhaps good, however are they actually value their four-digit worth tags?
The iPhone 16e’s {hardware} proves that you simply needn’t pay high greenback to get a premium gadget in 2025. Whereas I’ve little question that Apple went within the incorrect course for a number of of its concepts with its newest iPhone, that simply provides Android producers that rather more of an opportunity to nail their midrange smartphones shifting ahead. And with a few of these classes, I am assured you will not have to pay $1,000 in your subsequent improve to really feel happy with no matter you find yourself shopping for.