Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 16e, the latest addition to its mid-range smartphone lineup. While it shares the same A18 chip as the mainline iPhone 16 models, the 16e comes with a slightly downgraded GPU, featuring a 4-core setup compared to the base model's 5-core GPU. The real question remains: how does this impact performance?
iPhone 16e Geekbench Leak
A new Geekbench test has surfaced, revealing key insights into the device’s processing power. The iPhone 16e appeared under the model number "iPhone 17,5" and was tested with 8GB of RAM. According to the data which was shared by WhyLab on Weibo. The device achieved a single-core score of 2,706 and a multi-core score of 7,942. These scores, while decent, fall short when compared to the standard iPhone 16.
In our tests, the regular iPhone 16 outperformed the 16e, achieving a single-core score of 3,301 and a multi-core score of 8,033. The differences suggest an overall performance reduction of about 10%, despite both models theoretically having the same number of CPU cores and clock speed.
When placed against competitors, the 16e struggles further. The Samsung Galaxy S25 base model surpasses it in multi-core performance, a space where Samsung traditionally excels due to its chip optimizations. While Apple devices tend to perform better in single-core tests, the 16e’s results highlight a noticeable gap in processing efficiency.
The performance drop aligns with Apple's approach of differentiating its mid-range devices by omitting certain features. Notably, the 16e lacks MagSafe charging and an ultrawide camera, making it a less feature-rich option. However, with a price point only $200 lower than the base iPhone 16, buyers may question whether the trade-offs are worth the savings.
It’s important to note that these results come from a single test, meaning real-world usage may paint a different picture. More comprehensive evaluations are needed to determine how well the 16e holds up under varied conditions. Until then, consumers should weigh the compromises carefully before deciding whether the iPhone 16e meets their needs.