iPhones have always had great cameras, but how do the latest models stack up? We put the iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, and iPhone SE through a 10-round photo shootout to see which one takes the best pics. From daylight photos to low-light shots, zoom, and portrait mode—all of the iPhones surprising delivered great photos. If you’re trying to decide which iPhone is best for photography, this comparison will help you find out.
iPhone 16e: The Budget-Friendly
Apple iPhone 16e review: A mid-range phone with premium features Apple’s iPhone 16e is all about offering premium features at a lower price. Its camera setup may not be on par with the flagship phones, but it still takes great photos. In the daytime, photos are bright, detailed, and have good colors. In low light, camera struggles—even with help from night mode, details can get a little soft. Portraits are okay, but edge detection sometimes gets in the way and misses fine details. If you’re a fan of taking photos in good lighting conditions, iPhone 16e does a good job, but in challenging environments, it starts to show its weaknesses.
iPhone 16: The Flagship Experience
The camera on the iPhone 16 is optimized to deliver best-in-class performance. The main sensor gathers more light, so low-light photos are clearer and more detailed. Colors are balanced, and dynamic range is excellent. Night mode is very impressive, with low noise levels and natural colors. Zoom quality is better than the iPhone 16e, so distant subjects look sharp. Portrait mode is refined, with better subject separation and natural background blur. Overall, if you want a dependable camera that performs well in every condition, the iPhone 16 is a good choice.
iPhone SE: A Simple Yet Capable Shooter
Apple’s software processing helps the iPhone SE overcome its less-than-stellar hardware. Daylight shots look fantastic, with natural colors and crisp details. The lack of a telephoto lens and ultra-wide option is a downside, though. Low-light photos aren’t quite as good as the iPhone 16, but still very good. Portrait mode is good considering there’s only one lens, and if you like small phones with good cameras, the iPhone SE is still a solid choice—just be aware that the newer phones have more advanced features.
Which One Should You Pick?
We think each iPhone has its strengths and weaknesses, and the iPhone 16 is the best overall camera phone. The iPhone 16e offers the best balance of price and quality, and the iPhone SE is a simple, reliable iPhone for those who want a small phone with a good camera. If you want the best camera, go for the iPhone 16, but if you’re on a budget, the iPhone 16e is a great alternative.