The iPhone 16 series has brought a significant overhaul to the Photographic Styles feature, which made its debut with the iPhone 13. Despite the iPhone 16e sharing almost identical hardware with its higher-end counterparts, it appears to miss out on the latest version of Photographic Styles.
iPhone 16e and Photographic Styles
According to Apple’s official comparison page for various iPhone models, only the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro are equipped with the newest Photographic Styles. The iPhone 16e has inherited several camera features that were absent from the now-retired iPhone SE, yet it seems it will not support the new Photographic Styles.
The specifications for the iPhone 16e reference “Photographic Styles” without the “latest-generation” specification, indicating that it likely has the same filters introduced with the iPhone 13.
For those who may not be aware, Apple first introduced Photographic Styles with the iPhone 13. Unlike conventional filters applied to a compressed image, this feature alters the tone, contrast, and warmth of the photo at the time of capture, leading to more nuanced adjustments, especially for skin tones and skies.
With the introduction of the iPhone 16, Apple has significantly enhanced this feature. Now, the iPhone retains the color, lighting, and shadow information for each photo, allowing users to apply and modify Photographic Styles even after taking a picture. This opens up a wider range of possibilities for photo editing.
There’s been no clarity on why the iPhone 16e doesn’t include the updated Photographic Styles, especially since it is powered by the same A18 chip and 48-megapixel main camera as the standard iPhone 16. It might be a strategic marketing choice, akin to withholding ProRAW photo capture on non-Pro models.
More about the new iPhone
Along with the A18 chip and a 48-megapixel camera, the iPhone 16e boasts a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID functionality, and a USB-C port. Moreover, it is equipped with Apple’s first custom 5G modem, which improves energy efficiency.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e will kick off on Friday, February 21, with initial orders scheduled to be delivered by February 28. The starting price is $599 for the 128GB variant, with additional options for 256GB and 512GB storage, available in black and white colors.
