Apple unveiled the latest version of its budget-friendly iPhone line on Monday. The iPhone 17e will be available on March 11 with a retail price of $599.
The smartphone is powered by the same A19 chip found in the base iPhone 17 and supports Apple Intelligence. The base model comes with 256 GB of storage, which Apple states is double the entry storage of the previous generation.
A major upgrade from earlier budget models is the addition of MagSafe and Qi2, supporting wireless charging up to 15W. The iPhone 17e is available in black, white, and a new soft pink color.
It features the C1X, Apple’s latest-generation cellular modem. The company claims this modem is up to twice as fast as the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e while using 30 percent less energy.
For photography, the iPhone 17e carries the same 48-megapixel camera as the iPhone 16e. Its Fusion camera enables an optical-quality 2x Telephoto, giving users two cameras in one for closer framing of subjects.
The device records video in 4K with Dolby Vision at up to 60 frames per second. It also captures Spatial Audio for an immersive listening experience with AirPods or Apple Vision Pro.
The iPhone 17e is rated IP68 for dust and water resistance. Its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display is protected by Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple says offers triple the scratch resistance of the previous generation.
The phone supports Emergency SOS via satellite, Roadside Assistance, and Find My. It is constructed with 30 percent recycled materials, including 85 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery.