Apple recently released the latest phone in its “e” series, the iPhone 17e. Unlike the “SE” line that came before it, this one seems to be on track for annual updates. However, for a variety of reasons, the “e” series is far less compelling—and it shouldn’t exist.
The iPhone 17e is disappointing to say the least
Annual updates don’t make it better
Credit: Apple
It was immediately clear to me that the iPhone 17e is a disappointing update over last year’s model. While the expected chip updates have arrived, including an upgrade from the A18 to the A19 and from the C1 to the C1X, and storage has doubled from the previous model, there is little that truly stands out.
The standout addition to the 17e is MagSafe, which was notably absent from last year’s model. Introduced with the iPhone in 2020, MagSafe allows you to attach magnetic accessories, including charging pucks, card holders, and car mounts, to the back of your device.
Credit: Apple
It’s sad that this appears to be the standout feature of the iPhone 17e: a nearly six-year-old feature that is now also available on Android phones. If you wanted MagSafe support on an iPhone 16e, you could simply use a MagSafe-compatible case to achieve the same result.
In addition to the chip updates and the inclusion of MagSafe, the display has been improved and is reported to be three times more scratch-resistant. Battery life has remained the same, though.
A new color has also been introduced: soft pink. It is exactly what the name implies, and many people are calling it the “return of rose gold,” which has not appeared since the iPhone 7. Pink, however, has appeared in several different iterations across various iPhone models.
While the new additions are welcome, the iPhone 17e’s price is its biggest drawback. Yes, it is the cheapest model in the iPhone 17 lineup, but for what it offers, it falls short.
Brand
Apple
SoC
A18
Display
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 1,200 nits of peak brightness, 60Hz
RAM
8GB
Storage
128, 256, 512GB
Battery
26 hours of video playback
The iPhone16e is an affordable addition to the iPhone 16 line, costing $200 less than the base iPhone 16.
This is especially noticeable when compared with the price of the iPhone SE, the model the “e” line replaced. When the iPhone SE was available, its last model was released in 2022, and it cost $429. To be fair, earlier versions typically cost $399, but that increase is minimal compared with the price jump for the iPhone 16e and 17e over the SE.
The iPhone 17e still starts at $599, a $170 increase over the final SE model. While the increase in starting storage is nice, reports and feedback suggest that most users were more concerned about the higher starting price than the storage size.
Credit: Apple
Given that the starting price is nearly 40% higher than the SE, and with what the phone offers, it is difficult to consider the “e” models a good budget iPhone, especially compared with previous-generation iPhones that may be worth considering instead.
Apple already has a solid “budget” iPhone
A bigger number isn’t all that important
Looking back at the iPhone 16e, many advised skipping it and investing in an iPhone 15 instead. It costs roughly the same, includes Apple Intelligence, and offers more features than the 16e, particularly those associated with the “Pro” line.
Credit: Shikhar Mehrotra / How-To Geek
As history repeats itself, the same advice is being given about the iPhone 17e. Instead of recommending the iPhone 16 Pro, many suggest opting for the base-model iPhone 16.
Unlike the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro, the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro were more similar due to the integration of Apple Intelligence. Both models featured A18 chips, but the 16 Pro included a Pro-model chip, making it slightly more powerful.
Credit: Tyler Hayes / How-To Geek
For Apple Intelligence to work, an iPhone must have an A17 Pro chip or newer. The A18 chip is built on a newer architecture that improves on the A17 Pro, which is why Apple did not recycle it in the base iPhone 16 models.
There are several reasons the iPhone 16 is a better option than the 17e, and one is the Dynamic Island. It was initially rumored to be included on the 17e, but when shown, the notch was still present.
Credit: Corbin Davenport / How-To Geek
The Dynamic Island is an intuitive way to interact with different apps through Live Activities and easily accessible controls. Since its introduction with the iPhone 14 Pro models, it has been a huge hit, even inspiring copies on some Android phones.
Another reason is that MagSafe charging is faster on the iPhone 16, reaching speeds up to 22W compared with the 17e, which maxes out at 15W.
Qi-Certified
Yes, Qi2.2
Color
White
If you’re a photographer, the iPhone 16 is a better choice because of its dual-camera design. This setup includes a 12MP ultra-wide camera and also supports macro photography.
The main reason to choose the iPhone 16, however, is its price. As last year’s model, it has dropped in price at many retailers, making it even cheaper than the iPhone 17e.
You can find an iPhone 16 for $539 on Amazon, $60 less than the 17e. This is for the 128GB version, but for many looking for the cheapest iPhone, that won’t be a dealbreaker.
If you want the same 256GB storage as the 17e, it costs roughly $640. While more expensive, it is only $41 higher, and the tradeoff is worth it.
Credit: Apple
It should be noted that the iPhone 17e surpasses the 16 in several areas, including screen durability, chip generation, and battery life. Yet for many users, these improvements are not critical, and they will be satisfied with the iPhone 16, especially for its price.
If you want the latest iPhone without paying for a 17 or 17 Pro, the 17e may suffice. It will last for many years due to its internals and runs the latest operating system.
However, for more value, the iPhone 16 is the better choice. It offers a lower price, more features, and more vibrant color options than the 17e.
