Yes, it costs a lot more than many buyers were expecting. No, it’s not in the mould of what we knew as a relatively affordable iPhone a.k.a the iPhone SE. Starting at Rs 59,999, it is still the most affordable new iPhone but certainly on the premium end of the market. I have used the iPhone 16e for a few weeks as my daily driver now. While this isn’t a review of the iPhone 16e, there’s something about the phone which makes it a rather intriguing device.
Switching to an iPhone for the first time can feel like a big decision—especially if you’ve been on Team Android for years. Maybe you’re used to a certain way of doing things, or you’ve just never been tempted to make the switch. But if you’re finally ready to see what all the iPhone hype is about, the iPhone 16e could just be an excellent place to start.
I know the arguments against it — no headline acts like 120Hz refresh rate, “just” one camera and so on. These are features that are found in most Android phones. But the iPhone — even in a price sensitive market like India — is often seen as a long-term buy and Apple delivers on longevity, software support, privacy, and ease of use.
Let’s break down why the iPhone 16e could be the Apple device for first-time iPhone buyers and those switching from Android.
iPhones last a long time— the 16e will be no different
One of the biggest advantages of an iPhone over many Android devices is how long it stays relevant. While Android manufacturers typically provide 3 to 4 years of software updates (though some like Google, Samsung, and others offer 6-7 years), Apple is known for supporting iPhones for at least 5 to 6 years. That means if you pick up an iPhone 16e today, you’re likely to get major iOS updates well into the next decade.
This is a huge win if you’re someone who doesn’t upgrade phones often. Instead of worrying about your phone becoming outdated or insecure after just a few years, you can keep using it confidently, knowing you’re getting the latest features and security updates.
And it’s not just software support—hardware longevity is a real thing, too. iPhones hold up incredibly well over time, thanks to Apple’s focus on performance and durability. Even after years of use, an iPhone 16e is likely to run smoothly, whereas many Android phones tend to slow down after a couple of years. You won’t be surprised to see someone still carrying around an iPhone X or iPhone 11 — which are 6-7 year old devices — and they still work rather smoothly.
Moving from Android to iOS is simpler
A big reason people hesitate to switch from Android to iPhone is the fear that moving their data will be a nightmare. But Apple has made this process rather simple with its Move to iOS app.
With this app, you can transfer Contacts, Messages, Photos & videos, WhatsApp chats, Calendar events, Email accounts, and even some apps (if they exist on iOS)
It’s a relatively smooth process that takes the stress out of switching.
Another bonus? If you already use Google services (like Gmail, Google Photos, or Google Drive), they work flawlessly on iOS. You don’t have to give up your favorite apps and that is a genuine concern many buyers/switchers seem to have.
The simplicity of iOS
One of Apple’s biggest strength has always been keeping things simple. If you’re coming from Android, you’ll immediately notice how intuitive iOS feels. No clutter, no bloatware, no unnecessary settings hidden in weird places—just a clean, smooth experience. Apple Apps are optimized well and don’t lag. System animations feel smooth — yes even without the 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rate. You don’t find any random duplicate apps (unlike Android phones that come with both Google and manufacturer apps for the same thing. And then there’s iCloud, which makes backing up and restoring easy. iOS has always been less fuss — though Apple has given more than a nod to Android with few of its recent features. Android is great and comes with its own set of advantages but the iOS experience doesn’t feel too overwhelming.
The rather important matter of privacy
If privacy matters to you (and it should), switching to an iPhone is a no-brainer. Apple has one of the strongest stances on user privacy in the tech world. There’s App Tracking Transparency – apps must ask permission before tracking your activity. You get privacy labels on apps – so you can see what data an app collects. Features like Mail Privacy Protection stops email senders from tracking if you’ve read their email. Safari’s anti-tracking features keep advertisers from following you around the web
Unlike Android phones, which often come with pre-installed apps from manufacturers that track user behavior, Apple doesn’t do that. You’re in control of your data, and that’s a huge win.
The Apple Ecosystem — if you want it
One of the perks of owning an iPhone is that it plays really well with other Apple devices. If you ever decide to get a Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, or even AirPods, the experience is seamless. AirDrop makes sharing files instant whereas iMessage & FaceTime work beautifully across devices. However, you don’t need to be fully invested in the Apple ecosystem. The iPhone 16e — or any other iPhone for that matter — works great on its own, and if you’re still using a Windows PC or prefer certain Google services
If you’re a first-time iPhone buyer or an Android switcher, the iPhone 16e is a solid bet to make. It is certainly a better bet to make than, say an iPhone 15 or iPhone 14. At the end of the day, the iPhone 16e gives you the best of what Apple has to offer—without the premium price tag of the Pro models. It’s a nice gateway into the iPhone world.
If you are thinking that the iPhone 15 with its two cameras and Dynamic Island are a better bet, then think again. The iPhone 15 has the A16 processor which actually debuted with the iPhone 14 — which makes it a fast but dated processor. Don’t forget that the iPhone 15 doesn’t support Apple Intelligence and will never do. You might think of Apple Intelligence as something that you don’t use or it feels too ‘gimmicky’. But you can bet that in the long run, Apple will up its AI game and make it better. The iPhone 16e makes for a better bet even if its pricing doesn’t meet your expectations, it is a new-generation iPhone that does a lot many things better than its in-house as well as outside competition.
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