Back to school season is underway and while laptops may get the most attention, a good smartphone is just as important for the return to classes. That's why I'm a fan of this deal from StraightTalk.
For a limited time, StraightTalk has the iPhone 16e on sale for $349.99 — a substantial discount compared to its $599 cost. To get this deal, you’ll need to activate a new line of service on a Silver Unlimited plan.
The iPhone 16e has been replaced by the iPhone 17e, but it's still a reliable phone for students heading back to school. In our iPhone 16e review, we like it for its compact size and svelte construction. And despite having only a single rear camera, it still delivers outstanding results. We're most surprised by its low-light camera performance because it makes pitch-dark scenes look like they're lit by some nearby light source.
Other features include a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, satellite connectivity, an Action Button and the entire suite of Apple Intelligence features. There's also the 48MP fusion camera, which offers 2x optical-quality zoom, and a strong battery life. Our testing showed the iPhone 16e could last 12 hours and 41 minutes, which is more than the standard iPhone 16 and over three hours longer than the iPhone SE (2022).
If you're not familiar with StraightTalk, the carrier is part of Verizon's prepaid brands that also includes the likes of Visible and Total Wireless. It's a particularly good carrier if you're looking for value.
