Apple’s initial “e” model iPhone, the iPhone 16e, wasn’t just a review unit for me; it was my primary phone for over six months. While I stand by my review from last year, praising its power and battery life, the camera was a letdown. Despite having the same camera specs as the iPhone 16, it delivered inferior low-light photos. With the release of the iPhone 17e in March, Apple addressed many previous issues. The camera improved slightly, but not significantly.
The iPhone 17e maintains the same design as the 16e but now includes MagSafe, allowing magnetic wireless charging and accessories. Apple sent me the unit to review, and I appreciated using my Apple Wallet and magnetic chargers without removing the case, thanks to the Clear Case with MagSafe. The phone is identical to its predecessor, with the new color Soft Pink as its standout difference.
The display remains a 6.1-inch OLED with a 60Hz refresh rate. The iPhone 17e’s internals have improved, featuring the powerful A19 chip and increased starting storage of 256GB, still priced at $599. You can upgrade to 512GB for $799.
Camera-wise, the iPhone 17e shares the 16e’s specs, lacking dedicated telephoto or ultra-wide lenses. While Apple touts software improvements, low-light performance remains lacking. Decent daylight and average selfies are possible, while zooming is purely digital.
Overall, the iPhone 17e is a decent upgrade over the 16e, offering MagSafe, more storage, and a robust A19 chip for $599. However, for superior camera quality, the iPhone 17 is a better pick.