Howdy, the iPhone 17e is definitely a superb purchase

Apple kicked off its product launch week this morning by unveiling the iPhone 17e and iPad Air M4. Whereas we initially anticipated the corporate’s newest entry-level smartphone to pack comparatively minor upgrades, it really brings greater than half a dozen enhancements. These embody a stronger, extra vibrant design, an enhanced digicam, MagSafe help, quicker chips, and extra. On the similar $599 value level as its predecessor, the iPhone 17e lastly looks like a well-rounded mid-ranger we will confidently advocate to budget-conscious consumers.

Significant upgrades

Arguably, the iPhone 16e’s largest flaw was providing too little for a comparatively excessive entry-level value. The iPhone 17e cures the scenario by sustaining the identical beginning value and providing a number of aesthetic and useful enhancements. For starters, the bottom mannequin now comes with 256GB of storage moderately than 128GB—primarily slashing the value by $100.

Extra notably, the iPhone 17e lastly adopts MagSafe and Qi2 help, letting you connect suitable chargers and equipment magnetically. Among the helpful add-on choices embody wallets, kickstands, energy banks, and tripods. It’s a bit slower than the iPhone 17 (15W vs 25W), however that gained’t matter for the best way most individuals will use it—both in a single day or at a desk.

The cellphone now additionally is available in a comfortable pink end, a refreshing variant for individuals who need extra than simply black or white. The iPhone 17 nonetheless affords extra choices, however the brand new colour provides the 17e a singular persona with a colour that isn’t out there anyplace else.

Different nice-to-have upgrades embody help for next-generation portrait pictures, enabling you to regulate the main target. It additionally positive aspects the iPhone 17’s Ceramic Protect 2 entrance, which is 3x extra scratch-resistant than its predecessor. That’s to not point out Apple’s C1X modem, which might double mobile speeds below sure circumstances.

For reference, the $699 iPhone 16 comes with solely 128GB of storage, inferior Ceramic Protect, shorter battery life, slower efficiency, and different compromises. As such, in the event you don’t wish to spend $799 on an iPhone 17, you’re higher off sacrificing the iPhone 16’s ultra-wide digicam and Dynamic Island and choosing a $599 iPhone 17e.

The newest chip and OS options

Many shoppers, particularly switchers, assume that entry-level iPhones carry out poorly and are vulnerable to lag like so many Android telephones. That’s removed from the reality; the iPhone 17e packs Apple’s newest A19 chip, much like that included within the flagship iPhone 17. Whereas the “e” version’s chipset accommodates one much less GPU core (4 as an alternative of 5), it is going to nonetheless carry out on a regular basis duties reliably. Energy customers could discover a efficiency hit when taking part in intensive cell video games or modifying massive images and movies, however nowhere close to as laggy as equally priced Android telephones.

Provided that the iPhone 17e packs 2025’s A19 processor, you may count on the cellphone to equally obtain software program updates for years to return. Whereas Apple doesn’t publicly decide to a particular variety of annual updates, it affords at the least 5 years of OS variations and sometimes extra. This additionally implies that it helps the total suite of iOS 26 perks, together with the most recent Apple Intelligence instruments, iMessage additions, superior name screening, devoted Video games app, and the fan-favorite Liquid Glass UI, and can be able to run the brand new Siri when it arrives later this 12 months.

By choosing an iPhone 17e, you’re neither getting a sluggish cellphone nor lacking out on any main OS options.

Foundry

The iPhone 17 isn’t the plain alternative anymore

Maybe essentially the most noticeable distinction between the iPhone 17 and 17e is the notch as an alternative of the Dynamic Island. That additionally means the 17e has a barely much less succesful selfie digicam with out Middle Stage. You continue to get Face ID authentication, nonetheless, together with portrait selfies and so forth. When it comes to display know-how, you gained’t get the ProMotion 120Hz refresh charge or always-on show help.

Hannah Cowton-Barnes / Foundry

As with the 16e, you additionally miss out on an ultra-wide lens for 0.5x pictures and macro pictures on the iPhone 17e. The cheaper cellphone additionally skips the Digicam Management button, which, actually, I haven’t used because the final time I wrote about it. The principle rear digicam on each telephones is comparable, supporting 48MP picture output and 4K video. When you gained’t get to shoot Motion and Cinematic mode footage, common video recording can be crisp sufficient for immortalizing on a regular basis moments and posting to social media platforms.

It goes with out saying that by paying $200 much less for the iPhone 17e, you’re shedding some iPhone 17 exclusives—however are they actually value it? For somebody on a finances, they’re unlikely to be dealbreakers, because the perks largely complement the essential iPhone 17e expertise. Frankly, whereas I recognize having many of those on my iPhone, I don’t imagine they’re definitely worth the $200 upcharge in the event you’re on a good finances.

With extra storage, a quicker chip, and MagSafe for a similar $599, the iPhone 17e is a sexy possibility for finances consumers, and I wouldn’t hesitate recommending one to anybody—particularly in the event that they like pink.