Mixed reviews 😬

iPhone 16e and Powerbeats Pro 2 face real-world testing.

Lewis Wallace
February 27, 2025

Early reviews of the iPhone 16e and Powerbeats Pro 2 serve up a mixed bag of pros and cons about the two new Apple products.

The iPhone 16e fares fairly well, with reviewers calling it capable enough for most users. Its best feature seems to be its battery life.

Its worst? The $599 price tag, which nearly everyone considers on the high side for a “budget” phone. Especially one that misses out on many marquee features found in the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup.

Read the review highlights to find out more about Apple’s newest iPhone.

Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds, on the other hand, come in for a bit of a drubbing. The new earbuds’ biggest feature — heart-rate monitoring — apparently doesn’t work so well. (Who wants their fitness-oriented earbuds to record accurate data? Um … everyone.)

The new Beats earbuds also apparently work better with Android devices than iPhones, which sounds pretty appalling. And here’s the biggest shocker for gym rats, as confirmed by Apple itself: “You cannot listen to music with your iPhone while also paired with the gym equipment for heart rate.”

Read our Powerbeats Pro 2 review roundup for more on what sounds like a fundamentally flawed product.

Also in today’s newsletter:

We’re not through with the reviews yet. New Apple TV+ thriller The Gorge sounds like a fun flick.
Read our hands-on review of a four-in-one charger from AVerMedia that brings unusual capabilities (and one big bummer).
The iPhone makes it incredibly easy to share Wi-Fi passwords. Do you know all these tricks?
And finally, if you’re in the market for one of the latest iPad Pros, this sale’s your ticket to a cheap(er) tablet.

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

iPhone 16e review roundup: Bare bones but capable, with long battery life

Early iPhone 16e reviews tout the performance and impressive battery life of Apple’s lower-cost handset, despite limited features.

Reviewers rip Powerbeats Pro 2 heart rate monitoring

Fitness reviewers levy Powerbeats Pro 2 heart rate monitor criticisms, citing inaccuracy and problems with iOS app and gym equipment pairing.

‘The Gorge’ makes the perfect date night movie [Apple TV+ review]

Apple TV+ original film "The Gorge" mixes romance and action, with a pair of agents falling in love while protecting earth from monsters.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Tiny magnetic power bank comes with USB-C, Lightning and micro USB tips

With three magnetic tips, Statik's tiny Snap-N-Charge power bank is small but versatile.

The secret fastest way to share a Wi-Fi password on iPhone

When you have guests over, it’s common courtesy to share the Wi-Fi password — and your iPhone has plenty of tricks to make it easy.

US intelligence head moves to block UK demand for backdoor into locked iCloud data

The head of US national intelligence said a demand from the UK for a backdoor into iCloud files globally is “a violation of Americans' privacy.”

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Nab M4 iPad Pro models at up to $250 off

A hot M4 iPad Pro deal can save you a bundle on various models with the specs you need.

Refurb deal: Get a 16-inch MacBook Pro with the infamous Touch Bar

While this laptop originally sold for $2,399, you can get a refurbished 16-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (2019) for $539.99.

Refurbished M4 iMac hits Apple's store with big discounts

Apple's M4 iMac is now available for purchase through its Certified Refurbished store with up to 15% savings.

Save space with a wall charger that’s also a USB/HDMI hub [Review]

We tested the AVerMedia Elite Go GC313Pro: a versatile charger and hub for your Mac and iPad with impressive capabilities.

Apple created iPhone 16e because iPhone SE 3 was a dud

The iPhone 16e is priced higher than the iPhone SE 3 because data shows buyers don’t want bare-bones, cheap iOS handsets.

Today in Apple history: Apple bids farewell to the Newton

On February 27, 1998, Apple announced that it would discontinue work on the Newton MessagePad product line and Newton OS.

Tweets of the day

World’s most honest salesman vs buyer trying to get recommended the iPhone 16e
— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD)
2:03 PM • Feb 27, 2025

Anyone in the market for a $1,800 alligator leather tablet holder from Hermès? 🤨
— Basic Apple Guy (@BasicAppleGuy)
3:15 PM • Feb 27, 2025

Wallpaper of the day

Wallpaper 4k IPhone SE 2025. Wallpapers
— PF. 🖥️ 💻 Wallpapers 📐📏. AI Ilustrations (@Iphonewall38341)
6:09 PM • Feb 27, 2025

One more thing ...

❝

I love it when you can bring really great design and simple capability to something that doesn't cost much... It was the original vision for Apple. That's what we tried to do with the first Mac. That's what we did with the iPod

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Which recent Apple release sounds most appealing to you?

Results from yesterday’s poll: AirPods vs. Beats? Which do you prefer?

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