Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 17e, the most affordable model in the iPhone 17 lineup. Priced at $599 for 256GB (double the storage of its predecessor at the same price), it opens for pre-order on March 4 and hits stores on March 11 in over 70 countries. After testing every generation of Apple's "e" line, I can say this model finally closes the gap with the Pro models.
What's new in the iPhone 17e
The generational leap is significant. Apple packed in the A19 chip built on 3nm with a 16-core Neural Engine, the C1X modem (2x faster than C1), and for the first time in the budget line, 15W MagSafe wireless charging. It also includes full Apple Intelligence with Live Translation, Call Screening, and Visual Intelligence.
Comparison: iPhone 17e vs iPhone 16e vs iPhone 17
| Spec | iPhone 16e | iPhone 17e | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chip | A18 | A19 (3nm) | A19 |
| Modem | C1 | C1X (2x faster) | C2 |
| Display | 6.1" OLED 60Hz | 6.1" OLED 60Hz | 6.3" OLED 120Hz |
| Rear camera | 48MP | 48MP Fusion + 2x tele | 48MP + 12MP ultra |
| Base storage | 128GB | 256GB | 256GB |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W | 15W MagSafe/Qi2 | 15W MagSafe/Qi2 |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield | Ceramic Shield 2 | Ceramic Shield 2 |
| Dynamic Island | No (notch) | No (notch) | Yes |
| Battery | ~3,600 mAh | 4,005 mAh (26h video) | 4,200 mAh |
| Price | $599 | $599 | $799 |
What it includes and what it lacks
What it HAS: full Apple Intelligence, Face ID, IP68 (6 meters, 30 min), USB-C fast charging (50% in 30 min), 4K Dolby Vision at 60fps, Spatial Audio, and weighs just 169 grams.
What it DOESN'T have vs iPhone 17: no Dynamic Island (uses the classic notch), display capped at 60Hz (no ProMotion), no ultra-wide camera, one fewer GPU core (4 vs 5). In my experience, the 60Hz vs 120Hz difference is noticeable when scrolling, but for most users it's not a dealbreaker.
Colors and storage options
- Colors: Black, white, and soft pink (premium matte finish)
- 256GB: $599
- 512GB: $799
Where and when to buy
Pre-order from March 4 at 6:15 AM PST on apple.com and the Apple Store app. Available in stores March 11 in 70+ countries including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, India, and China.
Common issues
Apple's website crashes during pre-order
Use the Apple Store app on your current iPhone. It tends to work better than the website during launches. Have your Apple ID and payment method ready before 6:15 AM PST.
Is it worth upgrading from iPhone 15 or 16?
If you have an iPhone 15 or older, yes. The jump to A19 + Apple Intelligence + 256GB base is significant. If you have an iPhone 16, the upgrade is more marginal unless you need the Fusion camera or 15W MagSafe. I've been using the 16e for a while and the jump to the 17e is most noticeable in photography.
iPhone 17e or iPhone 17?
The 17e saves you $200 and delivers about 85% of the iPhone 17 experience. Only pay more for the 17 if you need 120Hz, Dynamic Island, or the ultra-wide camera.
