Apple has attempted for years to give us an entry-level and budget-minded iPhone. First, we had the iPhone 5c with all its vibrant colors, then we got the iPhone SE line, and then last year Apple introduced the iPhone 16e. But these iPhones always came with compromises that made them hard to recommend, like limited storage, key missing features like MagSafe, or outdated hardware. With the new iPhone 17e, I think Apple may have finally solved that problem. The iPhone 17e is Apple’s first true budget-friendly iPhone that is worth recommending to the masses. Here is what you should know.
Be sure to check out our hands-on video with the iPhone 17e. This thing was fantastic for the price.
What has been improved?
The best way to talk about the specs when it comes to a budget device like this is to see how it compares to its predecessor. The key thing to note here is that the starting price has remained the same. The iPhone 17e starts at just $599. For that price, you get a few key quality of life improvements that the 16e just didn’t have.
- The new A19 chip that is also in the new iPhone 17
- This gives the 17e a 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine
- MagSafe support
- Which gives you 15W wireless charging support compared to just 7.5W
- 256GB base storage compared to just 128GB from last year
- Ceramic Shield 2, giving 3x better scratch resistance
You can see here that Apple added and made adjustments to the features that mattered. If you just take storage into consideration, you are already getting a much better deal than last year. A 256GB iPhone 16e was $700! Then, when you add the new chip, better wireless charging, and MagSafe support, this now begins to look like a real compelling device. But how do these improvements translate to real-world use?
Real-world use
We all know that specs only tell part of the story. The real question is whether these improvements actually translate to a better everyday experience. The short answer is: absolutely. The new A19 chip makes everything feel smooth and responsive. For context, I am coming from a 120Hz promotion display, so it is not as buttery smooth as that. But for most people, it will feel great. Whether you are scrolling on Safari, using social media, switching between apps, or even playing some intense games, this chip can handle it all. For people coming from an iPhone 14 or older, this will feel like a massive leap forward.
One of the biggest compromises Apple had to make on this device was the display. It is still using the same 6.1in Super Retina XDR OLED display (yes its a mouthful). Meaning that it is stuck at 60Hz. But it is still bright, sharp, and perfectly equipped to handle everything from watching videos to browsing to playing games. I also think that customers purchasing this phone do not care about this. They are not the ones coming from a ProMotion display; they are customers who have held onto their iPhone Xr until it would not run anymore. So yes, the displays on the Pro phones are more fluid, but customers of the iPhone 17e will not notice and it does not hinder the iOS experience at all.
The other big hardware improvement was MagSafe! Not only did they add the magnets, but they also now support Qi2 wireless charging. So you can charge your iPhone 17e at 15W instead of just 7.5W. I have been using the SolidSafe Air ultra slim MagSafe battery with it, and it’s a perfect match. It extends the battery life 100%! MagSafe also allows you to use all of your MagSafe accessories without needing to buy a case.
The cameras
This is another example of a spot where Apple made a compromise but they still held onto the premium spec of the flagship iPhones. The iPhone 17e still has just the one camera sensor. But that sensor is the same 48MP main camera that the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro have. You get:
- 48MP high-resolution photos
- 2× optical-quality zoom
- Smart HDR processing
- Portrait mode with depth control
- 4K Dolby Vision video recording
The compromise here is not on sensor or camera quality but versatility and quantity. You are missing the ultrawide lens that the iPhone 17 has and the telephoto lens that the Pro models have. So there is no macro mode, or action mode. But the sensor still takes awesome pictures and videos. If you have good lighting, the image quality this iPhone produces is pristine. Even in some lower light conditions, it does well. The piece missing is whether you want to fit more people in a photo, or want a wider angle; you just do not have that option. I actually think that the ultra-wide lens is a big factor for an average customer. I have heard that people would rather keep their iPhone 12 because it has an ultra-wide camera, instead of upgrading to a 17e. What would you do?
One last thing to note about the cameras is that the iPhone 17e does not get the new square 24MP sensor for the selfie camera. It holds onto the 12MP true depth camera. Not a huge deal, but just another feature Apple omitted from this iPhone.
How it stacks up against the rest of the iPhone lineup
This is where things get interesting. The iPhone 17e has fewer compromises than it did when it was the 16e. At $599, that means it sits $200 below the iPhone 17. What are you getting for $200? You get a 120Hz promotion display, an extra ultra-wide camera sensor, the new 24MP selfie camera, the dynamic island, and camera control. For the target customer of the iPhone 17e, I believe that those people will not care enough to upgrade to an iPhone 17. Again, this is for the person who has been using an iPhone for 5+ years and just wants to get the cheapest modern iPhone.
So, there is a clear budget iPhone that most people will just walk into a carrier store and pick up. It looks modern, has the performance to match the 2026 iPhone lineup and will easily last someone another 5-7 years.
Pricing and availability
The iPhone 17e is available today starting at $599. It comes in three color options: Black, White and Soft Pink. It also comes in two storage options of 256GB and 512GB.
Final thoughts
The iPhone 17e feels like the entry-level iPhone Apple should have made years ago. Instead of feeling like a compromised version of a flagship device, it now delivers a well-rounded experience with the features most people actually want. You get the A19 chip, 256GB of base storage, MagSafe support, a capable 48MP camera, and solid battery life, all for the same $599 starting price.
So if you are upgrading from an older iPhone or just looking for the best value in the iPhone lineup, the iPhone 17e gets a recommendation from me. It holds onto just enough of the flagship features without compromising too much and ruining the iPhone experience. The iPhone gets all the main fundamentals right.
What do you think? Are you the target customer for the iPhone? Let’s discuss below.
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