Apple iPhone 16e vs Apple iPhone SE (2022)

Our Verdict: The Apple iPhone 16e and Apple iPhone SE (2022) are aimed at different priorities, with broader contract availability on one side and a lower current starting price, about £91 versus £359 on the other. Apple iPhone SE (2022) is currently cheaper to buy outright by roughly £268; the screen sizes are 6.1 inches for Apple iPhone 16e and 4.7 inches for Apple iPhone SE (2022). That leaves the Apple iPhone SE (2022) as the pick for keeping the upfront or SIM-free spend lower, with the Apple iPhone 16e better if its extra hardware advantages line up with how you use your phone.

Over a full contract, the SE (2022) works out around £307 all-in, about £174 less than the 16e.

Expert Rating
3.7
12 reviews
3.9
10 reviews
Screen
6.1" 4.7"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED IPS LCD
Resolution
1170 x 2532 1334 x 750
Pixels Per Inch
457 326
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 7 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 (3 nm) Apple A15 Bionic
Battery
4,005 mAh 2,018 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
OS
Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e- SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.0 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm
Weight
167 grams 144 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP67 - Dust and water resistant
Contracts
£14.99/mo (£99.00 upfront) £8.99/mo (£69.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£359.99 £90.00

Prices updated 26 July 2026

Apple iPhone 16e Apple iPhone 16e Apple iPhone SE (2022) Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Expert Rating 3.7
12 reviews
3.9
10 reviews
Screen 6.1" 4.7"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED IPS LCD
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1334 x 750
Pixels Per Inch 457 326
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 7 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 (3 nm) Apple A15 Bionic
Battery 4,005 mAh 2,018 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
OS Apple iOS Apple iOS
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e- SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.0 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm
Weight 167 grams 144 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP67 - Dust and water resistant
Contracts £14.99/mo
£99.00 upfront
£8.99/mo
£69.00 upfront
SIM-free £359.99 £90.00
Prices updated 26 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16e
Apple iPhone 16e

24 Months

128GB

White

Refurbished

Unlimited

Data

£14.99 per month, £99 upfront.

Use code: SAVING10 (£10)

Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Apple iPhone SE (2022)

24 Months

64GB

Midnight

Refurbished

10GB

Data

£8.99 per month, £69 upfront.

Use code: IDM10OFF (£10)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 16e or Apple iPhone SE (2022) cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone SE (2022) is cheaper on contract at £307.16 over the life of the deal from £8.99 per month with £69.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 16e or Apple iPhone SE (2022)?

The Apple iPhone 16e has the bigger screen at 6.1" compared to the Apple iPhone SE (2022)'s 4.7", the Apple iPhone 16e has the sharper display at 457 pixels per inch versus 326, and the Apple iPhone 16e uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a IPS LCD.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 16e or Apple iPhone SE (2022)?

The Apple iPhone 16e features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a 12 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 16e or Apple iPhone SE (2022)?

The Apple iPhone SE (2022) is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £90.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 16e and Apple iPhone SE (2022)?

The Apple iPhone 16e is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) comes in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 16e and Apple iPhone SE (2022) use?

The Apple iPhone 16e is powered by the Apple A18 (3 nm), while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) uses the Apple A15 Bionic.

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 16e or Apple iPhone SE (2022)?

The Apple iPhone SE (2022) is the more portable of the two: it's 23g lighter at 144 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm, and is slimmer at 7.3mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 16e or Apple iPhone SE (2022)?

The Apple iPhone 16e is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) is rated IP67 - Dust and water resistant.

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 16e and Apple iPhone SE (2022) run?

Both phones run Apple iOS.