Apple has been trying for years to give us an entry-level, budget iPhone. First, we had the iPhone 5c in 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came with compromises that made it hard to recommend, like limited storage, missing key features like MagSafe, or outdated hardware. With the new iPhone 17e, I think Apple may have finally solved this problem. The iPhone 17e is Apple’s first true budget iPhone worth recommending to the masses. Here’s what you need to know.
Be sure to check out our hands-on video with the iPhone 17e. This thing was fantastic for the price.
What has improved?
The best way to talk about specs when it comes to a budget device like this is to see how it compares to its predecessor. The main 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 some 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, a 4-core GPU and a 16-core neural engine
- MagSafe support
- Which gives you 15W wireless charging support compared to just 7.5W
- 256GB of base storage compared to just 128GB from last year
- Ceramic shield 2, giving 3 times better scratch resistance
You can see here that Apple added and made adjustments to the features that mattered. If you just factor in the storage, you’re already getting a much better deal than last year. A 256GB iPhone 16e was $700! Then when you add in the new chip, better wireless charging and MagSafe support, this now starts to look like a real compelling device. But how do these improvements translate into real-world use?
Real world usage
We all know that specs only tell part of the story. The real question is whether these improvements translate into a better day-to-day experience. The short answer is: absolutely. The new A19 chip makes everything feel smooth and responsive. For context, I’m coming from a 120Hz promotional display, so it’s not as smooth as that. But for most people, it will feel fine. Whether you’re scrolling through 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 big step up.
One of the biggest compromises Apple had to make on this device was the display. It’s still using the same 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display (yes it’s a mouthful). It means it is stuck at 60 Hz. But it’s still bright, sharp, and perfectly equipped to handle everything from watching videos to browsing to playing games. I also think that the customers who buy this phone don’t care about this. They are not the ones coming from a ProMotion screen; they are customers who have held the iPhone Xr until it no longer works. So yes, the screens on the Pro phones are smoother, but iPhone 17e customers won’t notice, and it doesn’t detract from the iOS experience at all.
The next big hardware upgrade was MagSafe! Not only did they add magnets, but they now support Qi2 wireless charging as well. So you can charge the iPhone 17e at 15W instead of just 7.5W. I have been using MagSafe ultra-thin SolidSafe Air battery with him, and it’s a perfect match. Extends battery life 100%! MagSafe also allows you to use all your MagSafe accessories without having to buy a case.
camcorders
This is another example of where Apple made a compromise, but they still kept the premium specs of the flagship iPhones. The iPhone 17e still only has one camera sensor. But that sensor is the same 48 MP primary camera that the iPhone 17, iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro have. You get:
- 48 MP high resolution photo
- 2x optical quality zoom
- Smart HDR processing
- Portrait mode with depth control
- 4K Dolby Vision video recording
The compromise here is not in sensor or camera quality, but in versatility and quantity. You miss the ultra-wide 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 great photos and videos. If you have good lighting, the image quality this iPhone produces is pristine. Even in some lower light conditions, it works well. The missing piece is if you want to fit more people into a photo, or want a wider angle; you just don’t have that option. I actually think ultra wide lenses are a big factor for the average customer. I’ve heard people prefer to keep their iPhone 12 because it has an ultra-wide camera, rather than upgrade to a 17e. What would you do?
One last thing to note about the cameras is that the iPhone 17e doesn’t have the new 24MP square sensor for the selfie camera. It sports a 12 MP true depth camera. Not a huge deal, but just another feature that Apple left out of this iPhone.
How it stacks up to the rest of the iPhone lineup
This is where things get interesting. The iPhone 17e has fewer compromises than when it was the 16e. At $599, that means it’s $200 below the iPhone 17. What are you getting for $200? You get a promotional 120Hz screen, an extra ultra-wide camera sensor, the new 24MP selfie camera, dynamic island and camera control. For the target customer of the iPhone 17e, I believe those people won’t care enough to upgrade to an iPhone 17. Again, this is for the person who has had an iPhone for 5+ years and just wants to get the cheapest modern iPhone.
So there’s an obvious 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 line, and will easily last someone another 5-7 years.
Price 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 that Apple should have made years ago. Instead of feeling like a compromised version of a flagship device, it now offers a complete experience with features that 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 starting price of $599.
So whether you’re 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 retains many of the key features without compromising too much and ruining the iPhone experience. The iPhone gets all the major basics right.
What do you think? Are you the target customer for iPhone? Let’s discuss below.
iPhone 17e and the best accessories
FTC: We use automatic affiliate links to earn income. More.
