iPhone 16e Features a Binned Version of Apple’s A18 Chipset With Fewer Cores

A look at the technical specifications of the iPhone 16e reveals that it uses a hexa-core CPU and a quad-core GPU.

Written by Shaurya Tomer, Edited by Siddharth Suvarna | Updated: 20 February 2025 16:16 IST

iPhone 16e Features a Binned Version of Apple’s A18 Chipset With Fewer Cores

Photo Credit: Apple

iPhone 16e is Apple's successor to the iPhone SE (2022)

Highlights

iPhone 16e is powered by a binned version of the iPhone 16’s A18 SoC
Its GPU is listed with a quad-core architecture
It still supports Apple Intelligence, suggesting 8GB of RAM

iPhone 16e was launched by Apple on Wednesday as the latest entry-level model and the spiritual successor to the iPhone SE (2022). While the phone carries similar specifications as the flagship iPhone 16 series, including the same 48-megapixel primary camera, inclusion of Apple Intelligence features, and an A18 SoC, the latter's architecture is different from its iPhone 16 counterpart. It is said to be a binned version of the A18 chipset which might potentially affect the device's performance.

Binned A18 Pro SoC on the iPhone 16e

First spotted by 9to5Mac, Apple's latest affordable iPhone model uses a binned version of the iPhone 16's A18 chipset. A look at the technical specifications of the iPhone 16e reveals that it uses a hexa-core CPU and a quad-core GPU, and while the standard model's SoC has the same CPU, its GPU count is five.

The GPU gap is further increased when compared with the A18 Pro chipset found on the iPhone 16 Pro models. It retains the same CPU core count but has a hexa-core GPU architecture. With this change, the CPU performance is expected to be the same, potential repercussions when carrying out graphic-intensive tasks, such as playing 3D games, are speculated.

Apple Officially Discontinues These iPhone Models in India

However, Apple is yet to reveal if this change has any impact on the iPhone 16e's performance.

This move is said to be a result of a process known as chip binning. Notably, it is a quality stage during a chip's fabrication process where the higher performing SoCs are kept for the premium devices, whilst the less than optimal chipsets are used in other devices with a fewer number of cores in action.

Despite using a binned version of Apple's A18 SoC, the iPhone 16e still comes with support for Apple Intelligence — the Cupertino-based technology company's artificial intelligence (AI) suite for the iPhone, iPad, and other devices. Thus, it suggests that the phone might have 8GB of RAM, which is the base requirement for accessing the AI features.

Apple iPhone 16e

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Light and compact design
Powerful Apple A18 SoC
Customisable Action Button
Good battery life

Bad
Low light camera performance is below average
Available in just two basic finishes
Large display notch with thick borders
60Hz refresh rate display
Slow wireless and wired charging

Read detailed Apple iPhone 16e review

iPhone 16

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A18

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 18

Resolution 1179x2556 pixels

Apple iPhone SE (2022)

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Powerful SoC
IP67 rating, wireless charging
Slim and light
Regular software updates

Bad
Small, low-res display
Gets warm when stressed
Average low-light camera performance
Expensive

Read detailed Apple iPhone SE (2022) review

iPhone 16 Pro

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.30-inch

Processor Apple A18 Pro

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 18

Resolution 1206x2622 pixels

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Further reading: iPhone 16e, iPhone 16E Specifications, Iphone 16, iPhone 16 specifications, Apple A18, Apple, iPhone

Shaurya Tomer

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Shaurya Tomer is a Sub Editor at Gadgets 360 with 2 years of experience across a diverse spectrum of topics. With a particular focus on smartphones, gadgets and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence... more »