Iphone 17e: Discover Apple’s Budget-Friendly Smartphone Option

Apple has introduced the new budget-friendly iPhone 17e, providing a more economical option compared to the standard iPhone 17 (our Editors’ Choice). Priced starting at $599, the iPhone 17e is $200 less than the regular iPhone 17—but this prompts a crucial question: What compromises did Apple make to achieve this lower price? And will those compromises impact daily usage? Let’s examine the specifications of both models to determine which iPhone delivers the best value for you.

Cost: A Notable Distinction

Pricing Comparison

Clearly, the most significant distinction between the two models is their pricing: The iPhone 17 begins at $799 and can reach up to $999, whereas the iPhone 17e starts at $599 and peaks at $799, based on your selected storage capacity. If you’re aiming to cut costs, the decision is straightforward.

Champion: iPhone 17e

Style: Identical, Just Different Hues

Specifications Breakdown

The iPhone 17e is available in colors such as black, white, and a gentle pink. (Credit: Apple)

Aside from the camera count, distinguishing between the iPhone 17 and the 17e at first glance would be quite challenging. They are almost the same in dimensions and weight, with the 17e being merely a tenth of an inch shorter and a third of an ounce lighter. Both models feature aluminum bodies with Ceramic Shield 2 on the front and boast an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, allowing them to endure submersion in up to 20 feet of water for as long as 30 minutes.

Both smartphones are offered in black or white. Additionally, the iPhone 17e is available in pink, whereas the iPhone 17 can be found in blue, green, or lavender.

Daily Usage Impact

Champion: Draw

Showcase: The iPhone 17e is More Refined, Sleeker, and Perpetually Active

The display of the iPhone 17 is more luminous and features an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. (Credit: Eric Zeman)

Value Assessment

The display is often one of the first components to be downgraded when producing a more affordable phone model, and this is true for the iPhone 17e. Its 6.1-inch screen is a Super Retina XDR display, similar to the 6.3-inch screen found on the iPhone 17. Both screens share the same P3 wide color gamut and boast a sharpness of 460 pixels per inch.

In contrast to the premium model, the 17e’s display isn’t perpetually active, and it lacks a variable refresh rate that can reach 120Hz; it is fixed at 60Hz, resulting in less fluid scrolling. Additionally, it has a lower brightness of 800 nits in most scenarios, 1,200 nits when displaying HDR content, and does not feature a brighter outdoor mode, unlike the iPhone 17, which offers 1,000 nits under typical conditions, 1,600 nits with HDR, and can achieve up to 3,000 nits in outdoor settings.

Champion: iPhone 17e

Camera Quality: Investing More Provides Greater Versatility

The iPhone 17 features a pair of 48MP rear cameras, including one equipped with an ultra-wide lens. (Credit: Eric Zeman)

The screen is often the first area where corners are cut on a budget-friendly phone, and the cameras follow closely behind. The iPhone 17e features one less camera compared to the iPhone 17, omitting the 48MP ultra-wide rear sensor. Additionally, it does not offer macro photography capabilities, cannot capture spatial photos for the Apple Vision Pro, and misses out on the Dolby Vision video options available on the iPhone 17. However, it retains the same 48MP main sensor with 2x optical zoom.

The front-facing camera has been reduced from an 18MP Center Stage camera featuring dual capture and automatic digital pan and zoom to a 12MP TrueDepth camera similar to that of the iPhone 16.

The Apple Intelligence encompasses various AI functionalities, and these features are accessible on both devices. (Credit: Zain bin Awais/PCMag Composite;Apple)

Apple Intelligence, the collection of AI capabilities offered by Apple across its various platforms and services, is now accessible on both the iPhone 17e and iPhone 17. This is logical, as both devices are powered by the A19 chip, which features a specialized 16-core Neural Engine designed to support these AI functionalities.

Champion: Draw

Decision: Which iPhone 17 Suits Your Needs Best?

While we still have to evaluate the iPhone 17e, it’s clear that the iPhone 17 stands out more due to its features. It offers superior network performance, enhanced camera capabilities, a brighter and smoother display, and likely a longer battery life. Additionally, it comes with a price tag that is $200 higher, which could be the key factor in your purchasing decision.

The positive aspect is that the iPhone 17 and 17e are not the sole models in the current lineup. This generation also features the sleeker iPhone Air and the more robust iPhone 17 Pro, along with the larger iPhone 17 Pro Max.

We are excited to evaluate the iPhone 17e shortly (launching on March 11), so make sure to return for our comprehensive review and conclusive purchasing guidance.