Apple’s newest low-cost iPhone launched yesterday, and we picked up the iPhone 17e to see the way it compares to the iPhone 16e that got here earlier than it, and the way it measures as much as the iPhone 17 lineup.
Apple did not replace the design of the iPhone 17e, so it nonetheless has the look of an iPhone 14, which is the iPhone that Apple used as a base for the iPhone 16e. There is a notch on the show with no Dynamic Island, however Apple did make a couple of modifications to modernize the iPhone 17e.
The iPhone 16e did not have MagSafe, which was a serious problem, however the iPhone 17e does. MagSafe has been totally embraced by each Apple and accent makers, so it is tough to search out equipment that do not use MagSafe. Including MagSafe opens up a complete new vary of choices for circumstances and chargers, plus it means wi-fi charging is now 15W as an alternative of seven.5W.
There’s nonetheless a restricted coloration palette for the iPhone 17e, however there’s a mild pink mannequin along with the black and white choices this 12 months. The delicate pink is a refined shade that appears good in particular person, and it is not too Barbie pink or too child pink. Ceramic Protect 2 is new for the entrance glass this 12 months, that means the iPhone 17e must be extra immune to scratches.
Just like the iPhone 17, the iPhone 17e makes use of the A19 chip, which is the most recent A-series chip, although the iPhone 17e model has one fewer GPU core. The A19 affords unbelievable efficiency for a low-cost iPhone, however you may not discover a lot in the way in which of day-to-day pace enhancements coming from an iPhone 16e. For those who’re coming from an older iPhone like an iPhone 8, X, XR, XS, 11, or comparable, the distinction can be evening and day.
Base storage has been upgraded to 256GB, and Apple does not supply a 128GB possibility anymore. There wasn’t a change in beginning worth with the storage replace, which is a serious plus.
The iPhone 17e has lots of the similar compromises because the iPhone 16e. There’s nonetheless a single-lens rear digicam with no Telephoto or Extremely Extensive lens, there is a notch on the show, and it now lacks the 120Hz ProMotion refresh charge Apple added to the remainder of the iPhone 17 lineup.
For those who do not thoughts having one digicam lens to work with and will not miss ProMotion, the iPhone 17e is a superb deal. It is priced beginning at $599, which makes it $200 cheaper than the iPhone 17.