Phone vs phone
iPhone SE (2022) vs iPhone 16e
Same question, two phones: which costs less over a 24-month contract, which is cheaper to buy outright, and what you actually get for the difference.
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Which is cheaper over 24 months?
iPhone SE (2022) — its best deal costs £349.96 including April rises, £240.00 less than the iPhone 16e.
Which has the bigger screen and battery?
Screen: iPhone SE (2022) 4.7″, iPhone 16e 6.1″. See the spec table below.
Is it cheaper to buy either one outright?
iPhone SE (2022): £264 SIM-free plus SIM only. iPhone 16e: £743. Compare with the contract totals above.
iPhone SE (2022)£349.96
iPhone 16e£589.96True total of the cheapest deal, April rises included
Live from retailers, rises estimated for a contract starting this month.
The iPhone SE (2022) is the cheaper of the two today: its best contract costs £349.96 over 24 months with April rises, against £589.96 for the iPhone 16e — a gap of £240.00, or about £10.00 a month.
Prices checked 28 October 2026 · How we compare
iPhone SE (2022) vs iPhone 16e, side by side
| iPhone SE (2022) | iPhone 16e | |
|---|---|---|
| True total (24 months) | £349.96 | £589.96 |
| Cheapest network | iD Mobile | iD Mobile |
| Upfront on that deal | £19 | £19 |
| Monthly on that deal | £11.99 | £21.99 |
| Lowest monthly anywhere | £10.99 | £17 |
| SIM-free price from | £120 | £599 |
| SIM-free + SIM only, 24 months | £264 | £743 |
| Contract deals tracked | 38 | 392 |
| Screen | 4.7 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Battery | – | 1 mAh |
| Storage | 64GB | 128GB |
| Weight | 144 g | 167 g |
| Released | March 2022 | February 2025 |
| Colours on sale | 2 | 2 |
Highlighted = better on that line. Prices live from retailers; specifications from our data partner’s catalogue.
Network by network
If you already know which network you want, here is the cheapest deal for each phone on it, April rises included.
| Network | iPhone SE (2022) | iPhone 16e | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| iD Mobile | £349.96 | £589.96 | £240.00 |
| Vodafone | £461 | £667 | £206 |
Our verdict
On price, the iPhone SE (2022) wins: £240.00 less over two years once each network’s April rises are counted. That is £10.00 a month — enough to matter unless the iPhone 16e does something you need.
On the spec sheet, the iPhone 16e has the bigger screen (6.1 vs 4.7 inches), the iPhone 16e is the newer phone (February 2025).
Buying outright: iPhone SE (2022) SIM-free plus SIM only costs £264, less than its cheapest contract; the iPhone 16e costs £743, more than its contract.
Pick the iPhone SE (2022) if…
- You want the lowest monthly price — from £10.99 a month vs £17
- You want the lower total — £240.00 less over 24 months
- You prefer a lighter phone
Pick the iPhone 16e if…
- You want the bigger screen
- You want the newer model with longer support ahead
FAQ
iPhone SE (2022) vs iPhone 16e questions
Which is cheaper, the iPhone SE (2022) or the iPhone 16e?
The iPhone SE (2022). Its cheapest contract costs £349.96 over 24 months including April rises, £240.00 less than the iPhone 16e (£589.96).
What is the cheapest network for each?
For the iPhone SE (2022) it is iD Mobile (£19 upfront, £11.99 a month); for the iPhone 16e it is iD Mobile (£19 upfront, £21.99 a month).
Is the iPhone SE (2022) bigger than the iPhone 16e?
The iPhone SE (2022) has a 4.7-inch screen and the iPhone 16e a 6.1-inch screen; they weigh 144 g and 167 g.
How much are they to buy outright?
SIM-free, the iPhone SE (2022) starts at £120 and the iPhone 16e at £599, from retailers we track.