The iPhone 17e joins budget smartphone season
The iPhone 17e is now official, now joining the ranks of several other budget devices being unveiled and released during this time.
Apple has announced its latest budget smartphone iPhone 17e, as of Monday, amid a slew of low-cost devices coming from competitor brands.
As Apple quickly rolls its latest model out for pre-order on March 4 and for market release on March 11, the Nothing brand is prepping for its launch event of the Nothing 4a on March 5. Meanwhile, Google is anticipating the market launch of its Pixel 10a on the same day. The iPhone 17e is being offered at an introductory price of $599, with a number of carrier offers and trade-in deals. The Pixel 10a starts at $499, with similar discounts and deals.
The current launch season is sure to be interesting for budget-conscious consumers to have their pick of the litter, despite many Apple fans being known to be fiercely loyal. Opinions on the iPhone 17e have already pointed out its similarities to prior device models, such as the iPhone 5 in terms of design, suggesting that the device might not be worth its $600 price tag in 2026.
Similar accusations have been made about the Pixel 10a, saying it's remained too similar to the Pixel 9a to be considered a decent upgrade. While the Nothing 4a remains hours away from being official, many have noted that the Nothing 3a got a warm reception from the industry.
However, the iPhone 17e has received some upgrades that have gained the approval of many. The device features storage starting at 256GB, double the typical starting storage for many flagship devices. The device is available in 256GB and 512GB storage options.
The smartphone features a 48-megapixel 2-in-1 camera system that supports a 2x telephoto lens and 24-megapixel default capture, in addition to a 12-megapixel TrueDepth selfie-camera.
Rounding out some of the especially impressive features on the iPhone 17e is its MagSafe and Qi2 support, with fast wireless charging up to 15W. This not only upgrades from 7.5W from the 16e but comes at a time when Android brands are trickling in Qi2 support for select flagship devices, so many budget models are getting left behind.
iPhone 17e specifications
The iPhone 17e includes a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display with a Ceramic Shield 2 protector, providing three times better scratch resistance than the prior generation, in addition to improved anti-reflection. The device also supports IP68 dust and water resistance for even more durability.
Hardware-wise the smartphone is powered by the A19 chip, which Apple compares as up to two times faster than the iPhone 11, and the C1X cellular modem, which the brand claims is two times faster than the C1 modem in iPhone 16e, and helps provide all-day battery life. In addition, the iPhone 17e supports 50 percent battery charging in around 30 minutes. Software-wise, the smartphone is powered by iOS 26 as well as Apple Intelligence, and the liquid glass design language.
The iPhone 17e is available in black, white, and soft pink color options.
iPhone 17e pricing and availability
The iPhone 17e starts at $599 for the 256GB model, or $24.95 per month for 24 months with a payment plan. Customers can get up to $400 in credit when trading in an iPhone 11, or up to $599 in credit when trading in an iPhone 13. Individual carriers also have their own trade-in deals for the iPhone 17e.