Apple on Monday unveiled the iPhone 17e, the most affordable model in its iPhone 17 family, featuring an upgraded camera system, enhanced durability, and the addition of MagSafe technology for easier accessory attachment. The new device will be available for pre-order beginning Wednesday, with sales starting March 11.
The iPhone 17e will be offered in black, white, and a new soft pink color, and will start at $599 for a model with 256GB of storage – double the base storage offered in the previous generation at the same price point, according to Apple. “iPhone 17e combines powerful performance and features our users love at an exceptional value, making it a compelling option for customers looking to upgrade to the iPhone 17 family,” said Kaianne Drance, Apple’s vice president of worldwide iPhone product marketing, in a press release.
The launch of the iPhone 17e follows Apple’s introduction of the iPhone 16e in February 2025, a move designed to replace the discontinued iPhone SE line. The 17e builds upon its predecessor with a 48MP Fusion camera, enabling optical-quality 2x Telephoto and 4K Dolby Vision video recording. Apple also highlighted improvements to the display, featuring Ceramic Shield 2, which offers three times better scratch resistance than the previous generation and reduced glare.
A key addition to the iPhone 17e is MagSafe, allowing for snap-on magnetic attachment of accessories like chargers and cases. The device supports wireless charging up to 15W with a 20W adapter or higher, an improvement over the 7.5W wireless charging offered on the iPhone 16e. Wired charging is also faster, achieving up to 50% charge in approximately 30 minutes.
Under the hood, the iPhone 17e is powered by the A19 chip, which Apple claims delivers exceptional performance. The device also incorporates the C1X cellular modem, designed by Apple, offering up to two times faster cellular speeds compared to the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e. The 17e also includes Apple’s satellite features, including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages, and Find My via satellite, for use when outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.
Although the A19 chip provides a performance boost, Macworld reported that the iPhone 17e features a 4-core GPU, a reduction from the 6-core GPU found in other iPhone 17 models. MacRumors noted the A19 chip was first introduced in the iPhone 17.
Apple and various mobile carriers are offering trade-in deals for customers looking to upgrade, accepting older iPhone models, including the iPhone 11 and iPhone 13, for credit.
