Apple’s newest iPhone is also the most affordable iPhone, but whether it’s the best value depends on the features you value. Apple still sells the iPhone 16 alongside the new iPhone 17e. Here’s how the two lowest-priced iPhones compare.
iPhone 17e has 2x storage, faster performance, longer battery life
At $599, Apple’s new iPhone 17e has twice the storage, faster performance and longer battery life than the iPhone 16 that Apple sells for $699.
Apple’s new iPhone 17e has 256GB of storage with a 512GB storage option available for $200. The iPhone 16 only comes with 128GB of storage and costs $100 more.
The iPhone 17e also runs Apple’s latest A19 chip as opposed to the older A18 chip inside the iPhone 16. You save $100 and get a newer processor. Apple’s C1X modem is also used inside the iPhone 17e, which has a new operator privacy feature that does not work with the modem inside the iPhone 16.
The C1X modem also contributes to better battery life with the iPhone 17e. Apple’s $599 iPhone offers up to 26 hours of video playback compared to up to 22 hours on the iPhone 16.
Like the iPhone 17, Apple uses Ceramic Shield 2 glass on the iPhone 17e, providing three times better scratch resistance and improved anti-reflection to reduce glare compared to the iPhone 16.
These are all impressive improvements inside the iPhone 17e for $100 less than the iPhone 16.
The iPhone 16 has a newer design and an Ultra Wide camera
Paying the extra $100 for the iPhone 16 offers some other perks like a more versatile camera and a modern design.
The iPhone 16 has a dynamic island instead of a bezel like the iPhone 17e.
This not only makes it look younger, but also has better integrations with Live Activities when multitasking. The Dynamic Island design is used in Apple’s flagship iPhones. The notch-specific styling on the iPhone 17e dates back to the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14.
The screen is brighter on the iPhone 16 compared to the iPhone 17e. The iPhone 17e display has 800 nits peak brightness (typical) and 1200 nits peak brightness (HDR). The iPhone 16 display touts 1000 nits peak brightness (typical) and 1600 nits peak brightness (HDR) plus 2000 nits maximum brightness (outdoors) and 1 nits minimum brightness.
There are two rear cameras on the iPhone 16. The Ultra Wide camera offers 0.5x zoom to capture a wider perspective than the main camera at 1x. The second rear camera also enables macro photography, space photo capture and cinematic video recording.
Plus, there’s the iPhone 16 camera control for quickly launching the camera and taking photos. The iPhone 17e doesn’t have it.
Apple’s new iPhone 17e has Wi-Fi 6 compared to the iPhone 16’s Wi-Fi 7, and the iPhone 16 has a Thread radio and Apple’s second-generation UWB chip for better integration with New AirTag 2.
Which is the best value choice?
The iPhone 16 benefits from being a flagship model from late 2024 with a reduced starting price. The iPhone 17e, on the other hand, manages to bring the performance, durability and storage of the iPhone 17 at an even lower price.
Which iPhone is the best value for you? Apple’s iPhone 17e will be available for pre-order starting Wednesday, March 4, before hitting stores a week later on March 11.
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