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HOT FIVE #1

CHEAPLY ZIPPY

Apple iPhone 16e

Unless it's been run over by a tractor, chucked in a pond and retrieved by a dog with particularly bad breath, there really is no such thing as a cheap iPhone. But everything is relative, right? So while only an oligarch would call £600 pocket change, as iPhones go the new 16e does look like decent value.

It's powered by the same A18 chip as the standard iPhone 16, which means it also supports Apple Intelligence (although we've been rather underwhelmed by Apple's AI offering so far). Its battery will last up to 12hrs longer than its predecessor's, and while there's no MagSafe it does at least support wireless charging.

The 6.1in OLED screen is home to an old-fashioned notch, but that's hardly life-changing; and while there's only a single rear camera, it's had a boost up to 48MP (2022's third-gen SE had a paltry 12MP snapper).

It's all squeezed into an IP68-rated aluminium frame that's practically identical in size to the standard iPhone 16, so it shouldn't look out of place with the others. Well, that's as long as you don't squash it under a tractor.

As hot as... the Lamborghini Spire VRT from £599/go.stuff.tv/iPhone16e

Wake some action

There's no camera control button on the 16e, but it does get the action button that can be customised to put it on mute, turn on the torch, activate the camera and more.

One of these bytes

For £599 you get a pretty decent 128GB of storage, but you can up it to 256GB for £699, or pay £899 for 512GB. There are only two colour options:black or white.

Face for the prize

The 16e marks a milestone for Apple, with all iPhones now using Face ID instead of a home button. It also charges over USB-C, spelling the end of Lightning.

Gimme some 'tooth