Apple’s iPhone 16e: What You Need to Know
Plus, hiking tips, smart travel hacks, movie picks from Bald Bryan, and a surprising typo on the OnePlus Watch 3.
Hello and welcome to another edition of the Rich On Tech Newsletter!
This week, AllTrails came through for me again, helping me find a fantastic family-friendly hike right here in Los Angeles. The secret? Their awesome filters. My go-tos are:
• Moderate difficulty
• Kid-friendly
• Loop trails
• At least a 4.5-star rating (the highest)
This time, I needed something easy and paved—after all the rain we’ve had lately, I knew the mountain trails would be a mess (and some areas are still off-limits due to recent fires).
We ended up on a scenic walk around Lake Hollywood—turns out, it’s actually a reservoir tucked right in the heart of the city. That’s the beauty of technology—it opens doors to experiences you might not have considered, whether you’re exploring your hometown or a new destination. We even spotted some deer along the way!
If you’re looking for more hiking tools, here are two other great resources worth checking out:
• Hiking Project – A detailed trail guide with offline maps and user reviews.
• Gaia GPS – Perfect for serious hikers who want detailed topographical maps and route tracking.
Another highlight this week? My wife and I caught opening night of the Harry Potter play, now showing in Los Angeles. Here’s the thing—I’ve never read the books or seen the movies, but I still loved the stage show. The special effects were incredible—think gravity-defying stunts, time travel illusions, and shape-shifting magic. It was a late night, but totally worth it.
Now, let’s dive into this week’s tech news…
Apple’s New Value iPhone: Meet the iPhone 16e
Apple has officially launched the successor to the iPhone SE: the iPhone 16e. And while the “e” doesn’t stand for anything official, it might as well mean “essential”—this phone covers the basics and then some, all at a solid price point.
What You Get
• 6.1-inch OLED display—similar to the standard iPhone 16 (not the Pro models).
• Powered by the A18 chip—same processor as the iPhone 16 for fast, smooth performance.
• 48MP Fusion camera—with 2x telephoto-quality zoom through smart cropping, no extra lens required.
• Face ID replaces the home button, and USB-C replaces the Lightning port.
• Supports Apple Intelligence—Apple’s AI system.
• New Action Button—customizable to launch the camera, flashlight, voice memos, or use Visual Intelligence for tasks like summarizing text, translating, or identifying plants and animals.
• First iPhone with an Apple-designed modem—the new C1 chip says it improves 5G speed, reliability, and battery life.
• Full suite of emergency features, including Messages via Satellite, Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, and Crash Detection.
What You Don’t Get
• No ultra-wide lens, macro mode, or spatial photography (3D images).
• Display isn’t as bright as the iPhone 16, and there’s no Dynamic Island—just the classic notch. Also, no Always on Display.
• No MagSafe support (though third-party cases can add this feature).
• Wireless charging maxes out at 7.5W (compared to 15W on the iPhone 16).
• No Ultra-Wideband chip—you can track AirTags but won’t get precision finding.
• Only supports Wi-Fi 6, not the newer Wi-Fi 7.
Price & Value
At $599 for the 128GB model, the 16e costs more than the older iPhone SE ($429) but delivers a much more modern design and advanced features. And the deals are already rolling in:
• Verizon: $5/month over 36 months with a new line, or free with a trade-in and new line.
• AT&T: $6/month without needing a trade-in.
• T-Mobile: Free with a trade-in.
Who’s It For?
The iPhone 16e is perfect for:
• People who want a new iPhone without splurging on all the bells and whistles.
• Shoppers who walk into an Apple Store, realize their current phone isn’t paid off yet, and need a solid, affordable option.
• Those considering switching from Android, especially from budget-friendly brands like Google Pixel A-Series, Samsung A-Series, OnePlus, or Nothing—and let’s not forget, you’ll get those blue iMessage bubbles (as silly as it is that this even matters).
Why It’s a Smart Move by Apple
Apple’s scale makes it tough to beat—they design their own processors, now even their own modems, and have physical stores worldwide for in-person support and repairs. Every breakthrough pays off for years through tight integration across their ecosystem.
The iPhone 16e isn’t about wowing you with cutting-edge features—it’s about delivering value and reliability in the Apple ecosystem.
Available starting Friday, February 28, in black or white for $599.
My feeling? Apple is going to sell a ton of these phones.
Speaking of Phone Cases: My Top Picks
This week, I shared some of my favorite phone cases on TV. I get sent tons of them to try out, but I always come back to a few key features that matter most to me:
1. Grippability – A case should make the phone easier to hold, not more slippery.
2. Slim Design – I’m not a fan of bulky cases. I want protection without feeling like I’m carrying around a brick.
3. Simple Aesthetics – No over-the-top designs or decorations—just clean and functional.
After my segment aired, the comments rolled in with one big question: What about OtterBox?
I think OtterBox is great if you’re looking for serious protection. They’re known for their rugged, heavy-duty designs. But personally, I lean toward slimmer cases that still offer solid protection without all the bulk.
That said, there is an OtterBox model I like: the Symmetry Series. It’s thinner than their usual offerings, has a clear design to show off your phone, and still provides good protection without the extra heft.
The Secrets to Better Smartphone Pictures
You might remember Jefferson Graham as the longtime tech writer for USA Today. These days, he’s all about smartphone photography, traveling the world to help people capture better photos of some of the most incredible spots on the map.
He recently shared some of his top tips—and the best apps to make your photos pop.
My favorite? Radiant Photo. One tap and your picture looks 10x better. Seriously—it’s that good.
Reddit Answers: Shortcut to Crowd-Sourced Wisdom
There’s something about Reddit that people really trust. In fact, if you’ve ever searched Google for anything, you’ve probably noticed that one of the top suggested searches often includes adding “Reddit” at the end.
That’s a testament to the platform’s loyal communities and in-depth discussions, covering just about every topic imaginable—even the most niche and intricate ones.
If you’re a fan of Reddit’s deep dives, you’ll want to check out Reddit Answers. It’s an all-in-one search tool that uses AI to pull from millions of upvoted comments, giving you quick access to the best insights Reddit has to offer.
Just type in something like “best mattress”, and you’ll get a comprehensive breakdown—everything from top review sites and popular brands to user-tested tips and budget-friendly recommendations.
It’s like getting expert advice from real people who’ve been there, done that.
Set Your Preferred Currency in Uber (and Save Money While Traveling)
The Points Guy shared a great travel tip this week—one that could save you a little cash next time you use Uber abroad.
By default, Uber will now charge you in your home currency, no matter where you are. So, if you’re in Spain (for instance) and order a ride, you’ll get charged in U.S. dollars—plus a 1.5% conversion fee on top of that.
Here’s the catch: To avoid this extra fee, you need to adjust your settings to “No preferred currency.” I know, it sounds backward (and maybe a little sneaky), but this ensures you’ll be charged in the local currency of your ride. This lets your bank handle the conversion—often at a better rate—and, if you have a card with no foreign transaction fees, you’ll save even more.
How to Set It Up:
1. Open the Uber app.
2. Tap Account (bottom right corner).
3. Select Wallet.
4. Under Preferred Currency, tap and choose “No preferred currency”.
5. Hit Confirm.
It’s a small change that could save you a few bucks every time you travel—definitely worth the two minutes it takes to set up.
Safe Scanning App for Taxes
Deb writes in…
What is a good, safe, and reliable scanning app to use for forwarding tax documents to my CPA? I used to use the Notes app, but it no longer allows me to convert files to PDFs. 🤷♀️
Deb, for what it’s worth, the Notes app still lets you scan to PDF. Just start a new note, tap the paperclip icon in the toolbar, and select Scan Documents.
That said, there are even easier ways to scan and send documents as PDFs. Here are a few options worth trying:
The Files app on iPhone is an easy way to scan documents and save them as PDFs. Here’s how to use it:
1. Open the Files app.
2. Tap the three dots in a circle (upper right-hand corner).
3. Select Scan Documents.
4. Once you’ve scanned your document and saved it as a PDF, press and hold on the file.
5. Tap the Share icon to email it directly to your CPA.
1. Open the Google Drive app.
2. Tap the + (plus) button.
3. Select Scan.
4. Capture the document, adjust if needed, and save it as a PDF.
📚 Adobe Scan (iPhone & Android)
Adobe Scan is a versatile app for both platforms, offering high-quality scanning with automatic text recognition (OCR) for easy document organization.
This should help make sending those tax documents quick and stress-free!
Tech Tidbits
My kids recently introduced me to Monkeytype, a fun and surprisingly addictive typing test. They were amazed at how fast I was—turns out, those old-school typing classes really paid off. I got a 95 WPM with 97% accuracy (30 second test)
If you’re curious about your own typing speed, give it a try—you might surprise yourself.
Jim wrote in to share one of his favorite apps: The Cruise Globe. It’s a great tool for mapping and displaying all the cruise routes you’ve traveled. A fun way to keep track of past adventures and get inspired for future ones.
Google just launched Career Dreamer, an AI-driven tool designed to help you discover job opportunities you might never have considered. It asks about your experience and skills, then suggests potential career paths. It can even help draft a resume and cover letter to get you started.
Feedbag: Congratulations on 14 Years
Phil from Mt. Prospect, Illinois writes in…
Just wanted to congratulate you on 14 years at the station—that’s really terrific. We’re glad to see your Rich on Tech report on WGN-TV and hope to see a longer half-hour show someday. All the best to you and those affected by the terrible wildfires and flooding.
Thanks, Phil! I actually do have a half-hour show—it’s called Rich On Tech Weekly, and you can watch it on the free streaming app KTLA+. It’s available on Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, and some smart TVs. The best part? You don’t have to live in L.A. to download it. Enjoy!
OnePlus Watch 3 Typo: “Meda in China”
I was scrolling social media the other day and saw a post claiming the new OnePlus Watch 3 has a typo on the back—it says “Meda in China” instead of “Made in China.”
You always have to fact-check these things, so I pulled the watch I’m currently testing out of my bag and took a look. Sure enough, there it was. It’s easy to miss since the text is tiny, but it’s there.
Just a reminder: spell check or a second set of eyes always helps. You have no idea how many times I’ve woken up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night after scheduling this newsletter, wondering if I forgot a link or messed something up.
New Newsletter Alert: Movie Picks from Bald Bryan
You might remember Bald Bryan from The Adam Carolla Show. He also happens to be one of my good friends and former roommates—plus, he’s my go-to guy when I need a solid movie recommendation.
Now, Bryan Bishop is sharing his movie picks in a brand-new newsletter on this very platform. This guy watches a lot of movies. And while I can’t say I agree with all of his tastes (Transformers, really?), I have to admit—he’s rarely steered me wrong when it comes to Friday night picks.
Two of his best recommendations in recent years? Whiplash and CODA—both of which he called long before they became critical hits.
If you’re always searching for something new to stream, check out his newsletter and subscribe—you won’t regret it.
That’s it for this week’s issue. If you enjoy what you read each week and want to support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. You’ll get instant access to my full archive of past newsletters and an ad-free version of my podcast with the highest-quality audio.
Have a fantastic week.
Rich