Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 17e — the most affordable smartphone in the latest generation lineup. And this is exactly the case where affordable doesn’t mean “stripped down”: the new device features decent specs, a great camera, and something entirely new. Will you like it, considering the price tag? Let’s take a look.
The cheapest latest-generation iPhone in the world. Image: Apple
Can You Buy the iPhone 17e in Russia
Buying the iPhone 17e in Russia will only be possible through parallel imports, and even then, with a caveat: the main supply route has long gone through Dubai, but due to disruptions in air traffic, this channel has stopped. So in the first weeks after launch, the model will either appear sporadically and with delays, or arrive in small quantities at a significantly inflated price. So don’t expect normal availability and reasonable pricing just yet. Supply issues and inflated prices are also likely to affect other electronics.
What Processor Does the iPhone 17e Have
Inside is the A19 chip (3nm), and connectivity is handled by the C1X — Apple’s new modem, which the company says is noticeably faster than the C1 in the iPhone 16e, while also being more power-efficient. So the battery life on the iPhone 17e should drain less quickly than on the previous model. Although this is strange, since the specs list the same 26 hours of video playback as the iPhone 16e.
What’s Better About the iPhone 17e Display
The new iPhone 17e features a 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with a claimed peak HDR brightness of up to 1200 nits. Basically, nothing new there. But on the front, it now has Ceramic Shield 2, which Apple calls a more scratch-resistant and anti-glare material. The body is aluminum with IP68 protection.
The phone is new, but the screen is like the iPhone 13. Image: Apple
What’s Better About the iPhone 17e Camera
The main camera is a 48 MP Fusion module. Everything is pretty much the same as before — well, almost. Now Apple emphasizes that the crop produces a 2x zoom of optical quality. This is convenient if you often shoot portraits, because they’ll no longer be ruined by digital zoom. The smartphone shoots video in 4K Dolby Vision at up to 60 FPS, plus there’s improved audio recording with noise reduction.
The new device shoots well, at least in good light. Image: Apple
Does the iPhone 17e Have MagSafe
For many, this was the key point — and they got what they waited for. So the iPhone 17e supports MagSafe and Qi2 — which means magnetic chargers, wallets, and other accessories all work with it. Wireless charging power has been increased to 15W via Qi2.
Now this is a convenient smartphone. Image: Apple
The Action Button remains in place: you can assign it to the flashlight, sound toggle, or other quick actions.
How Much Does the iPhone 17e Cost in the US
Base storage has been increased from 128 GB to 256 GB, and the price remains at $599. And this is arguably the most practical part of the announcement. In 2026, 128 GB is already too little for many people, considering not only the size of photos and videos, but also the operating system itself and installed apps. So Apple raised the starting bar while keeping the price at the previous generation’s level.
The device will come in three shades. Image: Apple
The iPhone 17e will be available in three colors:
- Black
- White
- Pink with a matte finish
Pre-orders start on March 4, with sales beginning on March 11.
