I remember desperately wanting Apple’s super cool first-gen iPhone when I was younger, and later receiving a MyPhone my parents bought in the Philippines. More than 20 years on and I’m back to using a budget alternative, but this time, it’s still the real deal.
RELATED: Apple reveals ‘breakthrough’ affordable laptop
The global leader promised serious bang for buck in the Apple iPhone 17e*, packing the latest A19 chip along with MagSafe compatibility, and faster performance than the previous iPhone 16e. And you’ll be surprised how much you can get out of the single 48MP Fusion camera.
Plus, its starting price is $400 cheaper than the latest iPhone 17 (and a whopping $1200 difference compared to the premium iPhone 17 Pro Max).
But is this new budget smartphone reallyApple’s best affordable item yet? To find out, I stored away my Android device and became an iPhone newbie for the first time in a long while. Check out my first impressions below.
NEED TO KNOW
• Unlike the previous iPhone 16e, the iPhone 17e supports MagSafe and Qi2 for faster and convenient charging.
• The iPhone 17e starts with 256GB storage, which is double what was offered in the older model.
HOW DID WE TEST THE APPLE IPHONE 17E?
I spent the last two weeks road-testing the iPhone 17e as my ultimate work companion and travel buddy, mainly checking out the battery life, camera quality and speed.
1-MINUTE REVIEW: APPLE IPHONE 17E
SETTING UP FROM ANDROID TO IPHONE
While it’s been a hot minute since I had an iPhone as my main device, I regularly use a MacBook Air and iPad so I’m not a total stranger to the Apple ecosystem. In saying that, there’s still definitely a learning curve and while the switch is fairly simple, you can make the transfer process much easier by having an eSIM and using Apple’s Move to iOS app.
It’s worth pointing out eligible customers can also score a few extra perks with the iPhone 17e, including free three-month subscription trials:
• Apple TV+
• Apple Music
• Apple Arcade
• Apple Fitness+
• Apple News+
DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE
The iPhone 17e might have been for budget conscious Apple fans, but it certainly doesn’t feel like you’re sacrificing the good stuff.
This device features the latest A19 Chip and iOS 26 software, plus a C1X cellular modem to offer a smartphone that’s twice as fast as the previous iPhone 16e and bring on par with the iPhone 17 models and iPhone Air.
Got butter-fingers? The gadget also is made with Ceramic Shield 2, which is said to offer three times better scratch resistance than the older model.
Plus, it’s a nice looking phone overall. I absolutely adore the soft pink shade and the 6.1-inch OLED display (and three seasons of Ted Lasso) was enough to keep me happily entertained on a nine-hour flight.
CAMERA QUALITY
Unlike the rest of its iPhone 17 family, the iPhone 17e only comes with a single 48MP rear camera. Thankfully, it takes surprisingly great photos and videos so it won’t feel like you’re missing out on much.
On the downside, overcast weather and poorly lit environments can lead to grainy shots. There’s also no option to do ultra-wide or macro photography.
But for the most part, the iPhone 17e still provides decent camera quality that will satisfy most people – especially if you’re after a more affordable alternative to the flagship range.
BATTERY LIFE
The iPhone 17e offers impressive battery life and provides more than enough juice for daily tasks. I only switched on Low Power Mode whenever I forgot to charge the device overnight, and even then I could still comfortably doom scroll on the train the next morning.
However, the battery drained noticeably faster when I used Naver Maps to navigate around Seoul. On the plus side, I never needed a power bank and still managed to take plenty of touristy photos and search the web on top of getting directions.
HOW MUCH DOES THE APPLE IPHONE 17E COST?
With a starting price of $999, the iPhone 17e is still pricey but definitely a more affordable option if you’re wanting to shop from the latest Apple line-up.
The new release will be available in two storage options, 256GB and 512GB, with prices starting from $999.
• 256GB: $999
• 512GB: $1399
You can choose from three colours, including soft pink, white and black.
VERDICT: SHOULD YOU BUY THE APPLE IPHONE 17E
While I’ve been a loyal MacBook and iPad user, it’s been a while since I’ve had an iPhone as my main smartphone. Apple’s iPhone 17e felt like the perfect ‘gateway iPhone’ to help sway anyone back into the ecosystem, especially if you don’t want to splurge on the pricier models or sacrifice a big chunk of the flagship experience.
The device is a solid performer that’s fast, provides long-lasting battery life, and offers good camera quality. Plus, it’s a nice pick if you prefer a lower priced Apple smartphone and don’t want to look into the older models, or want more storage for less.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSHow does the price of the iPhone 17e compare with other Apple iPhones?
The new iPhone 17e is the cheapest option from the latest iPhone 17 series. Here’s how it compares to other recent models:
• Apple iPhone 17e: $999 (256GB) or $1399 (512GB)
• Apple iPhone 17: $1399 (256GB) or $1799 (512GB)
• Apple iPhone Air: from $1799 (256GB) to $2599 (1TB)
• Apple iPhone 17 Pro: from $1999 (256GB) to $2799 (1TB)
• Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: from $2199 (256GB) to $3799 (2TB)
• Apple iPhone 16: from $1249 (128GB)
• Apple iPhone 16 Plus: $1399 (128GB or $1599 (256GB)
How long does the Apple iPhone 17e battery last?
The latest iPhone offers all-day battery with up to 26 hours of video playback. Charging doesn’t take long either and can reach up to 50 per cent within 30 minutes, provided you’re using a 20W adaptor or higher.
What accessories can you get for the iPhone 17e?
Here are a few accessories we’re loving for Apple’s latest smartphone.
*Product was kindly loaned by Apple for a 100 per cent honest, independent review.
Sign up to our free shopping newsletter to stay in the loop on the latest product reviews, roundups and sale events.
Tahnee-Jae Lopez-VitoSenior Shopping Writer
Read related topics:Amazon