The iPhone 16e is a budget iPhone from Apple based on the iPhone SE (2022), but with critical parts borrowed from the flagship iPhone 16 - almost. It shares some specs and features with the flagship iPhone 16 series, including a 48MP main camera and Apple Intelligence support. However, its A18 chip differs slightly from the one in the standard iPhone 16. Not a big deal? Well, it can potentially affect its performance.
A Modified A18 Chip In iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e runs on a "binned" A18 chipset, according to a report from 9to5Mac. That means the processor has been slightly tweaked to cut costs. The smartphone features a six-core CPU and a four-core GPU, while the regular iPhone 16 has a five-core GPU.
When compared to the A18 Pro chip used in the iPhone 16 Pro models, the difference is more obvious. While the CPU remains the same, the Pro version has a six-core GPU, which may offer better performance in graphics-heavy tasks like gaming.
While Apple has not officially stated exactly how this affects real-world usage, it could decrease the overall graphics performance due to the reduced GPU power.
Why Apple Uses The Binned A18 Chip
Chip binning is a common process in the industry. During chip manufacturing, some processors remain unused until they are involuntarily repurposed for budget-friendly models.
While it has a modified chip, the iPhone 16e does support Apple Intelligence, which is Apple's suite of AI-powered features. This could mean the phone will feature 8GB of RAM – the minimum capacity needed for any AI work.
While offering advanced features, Apple's approach ensures the iPhone 16e stays affordable.
But those who need top performing smartphones would will likely choose the iPhone 16 or the Pro model.
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