At $599, Is the iPhone 16e a Game-Changer for Filmmakers?

Are Filmmakers Interested in the iPhone 16e Though?

Over the years, the iPhone has been one of the most popular smartphones for creative content and video production. Apple has capitalized on this, often featuring “Shot on an iPhone” ads that showcase the latest models’ recording capabilities.

However, despite the marketing push, it might be harder to argue that many video professionals are switching from digital and cinema cameras to smartphones. Even with the iPhone’s great camera and specs, it still feels more like the iPhone is geared toward hobbyists who like the idea of their phones’ cameras being production quality.

There are exceptions, though. Filmmakers like Sean Baker and Steven Soderbergh have shot festival-winning features on past iPhone models, which aren’t as powerful as this new iPhone 16e. Plus, the iPhone can be a great way to shoot a film on a lower budget or achieve a certain look for your project. And in many ways, thanks to the quality of the footage the iPhone can gather, it makes for an unbeatable B- or C-cam for many multi-cam setups.

The iPhone 16e’s Video Specs

The iPhone 16e features a new 48MP, single-lens camera system with improved performance over the device it replaces, the iPhone SE. This differs from the more expensive iPhones which have dual and triple lens camera setups, but the imaging sensor inside is the same 48MP sensor found in those more expensive iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models. And thanks to a little digital magic, Apple is able to provide a "2x telephoto" option by cropping to the center of that 48MP sensor.

Despite it's lower price tag, the iPhone 16e can record in 4K with Dolby Vision up to 60 fps, and users can now stop and restart recordings more easily. It also boasts Spatial Audio recording for immersive listening with AirPods, Apple Vision Pro, or a surround sound system and enables more ways to edit video sound with Audio Mix

Unfortunately, you won't find the ability to record ProRes Log on the iPhone 16e, so if you need the ability to really dial in your colors, you're better off opting for the iPhone 16 Pro models. You also can't record to external storage from the iPhone 16e—another Pro-only feature.

But the feature the phone does have are made even more powerful thanks to the inclusion of the A18 chip at the heart of the 16e. This is the exact same chip found in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro.

All in all, the iPhone 16e's inclusion of 4K capture at up to 60 fps and with Dolby Vision support mean that it's still going to be able to capture high quality video—definitely the best video at this price point. It lacks the flexibility of extra lenses—like the iPhone 16 Pros 5x zoom—and the ability to record in the native camera to external storage or in ProRes Log.

However, at $599, this might be the perfect price point for filmmakers or content creators looking to put together a great multicam setup for special projects or posting to social media.

We’ll see how filmmakers, video pros, and the general public respond to the iPhone 16e to determine whether this is a sign of the future or simply a focus on what makes this iPhone unique.