Apple just offed its smallest and most-affordable iPhone, and replaced it with the bigger and pricier iPhone 16e — so we looked closely at the tradeoffs to let you know if it’s right for you.

Before the iPhone 16e’s arrival, the best budget iPhone option was the SE, which had a decade-plus-old design and a tiny IPS screen with a lower resolution and an IPS panel. Replacing the SE with a product with modern design, top-tier specs, and Apple Intelligence is a major leap forward for Apple’s entry-level smartphone.

Going from the third-generation SE to the 16e is a big step up. But is it worth the money? Here's what you need to know.