Apple's iPhone 16E Has Lots of Features, but I'm Confused by What's Left Out

Apple's $599 iPhone 16E is the cheapest new phone that the company's released in years. Its debut Wednesday showcases a big rethink to how Apple presents itself for value-oriented shoppers. On one hand, Apple's created a device that's built to last for years by including the same A18 processor that's shipping in the $799 iPhone 16. The device's similarities to the iPhone 16 don't end there, with a similar display size, screen resolution, a USB-C port and front-facing camera. While there are some obvious differences -- a single rear 48-megapixel main camera and the lack of a Dynamic Island notch -- plenty of shoppers might otherwise decide that these trade-offs are more than worth the "$200 discount" from the iPhone 16. Yet there are a number of areas where the iPhone 16E falls short of my expectations, at least on paper, like where is MagSafe? I'm looking forward to trying out the iPhone 16E, but based on Wednesday's announcement, these are my early thoughts on what Apple's getting r ... Read full article.