Apple’s new iPhone 17e arrives in stores on Wednesday, and the first iPhone 17e reviews show a phone that improves the budget iPhone formula without changing it dramatically. Reviewers highlight the doubled base storage, the arrival of MagSafe support, and a new Soft Pink color option as the main reasons the device feels more appealing than last year’s model. At the same time, many reviewers say the standard iPhone 17 becomes more tempting once you compare features and price.
The iPhone 17e starts at $599 and keeps the same design introduced with the iPhone 16e. Apple added its new A19 chip, MagSafe for magnetic charging and accessories, and a faster C1X cellular modem while increasing base storage to 256GB. Those changes push the device forward without altering its overall identity as Apple’s entry-level iPhone.
Reviewers also note that the phone has several limitations that separate it from Apple’s higher-priced models. The display still runs at 60Hz, the design keeps the traditional notch instead of Dynamic Island, and the bezels look thicker than those on premium iPhones.
Good Upgrade Perhaps
Brian Tong describes the iPhone 17e as a “solid upgrade” for people who still use older devices like the iPhone SE or iPhone 11. He highlights the jump to 256GB of storage and the addition of MagSafe as two changes that improve everyday usability.
Tong explains that users who come from much older iPhones will immediately notice the speed and smoother overall experience thanks to Apple’s new A19 processor. He also notes that MagSafe opens the door to accessories such as magnetic chargers, wallets, and battery packs that earlier budget models did not support.
For those upgrading from much older hardware, Tong believes the iPhone 17e delivers enough improvements to feel like a meaningful step forward.
iPhone 16e Revamp
TechRadar describes the iPhone 17e as a refinement of the formula Apple introduced with the iPhone 16e. The publication explains that the earlier model already handled the big transition by modernizing the design and removing the Home button that defined the iPhone SE line.
TechRadar calls the new Soft Pink color “an excellent color addition” and says the A19 chip feels “plenty fast” during everyday use. The phone also now starts with 256GB of storage while keeping the same $599 price as its predecessor.
At the same time, the publication points out several missing features that make the phone feel less advanced than Apple’s higher tier devices.
Key limitations mentioned include:
- No always on display
- No 120Hz refresh rate
- A design that closely resembles last year’s model
It concludes that the iPhone 17e improves the package in practical ways, even though it does not attempt a major redesign.
More Better Options?
The Verge takes a more cautious view and says the iPhone 17e is “good, but you probably shouldn’t buy it.” The publication argues that the $200 difference between the 17e and the standard iPhone 17 delivers a long list of upgrades that many buyers will appreciate.
The Verge explains that the price difference works out to roughly $9 more per month on a two year payment plan, which may make the regular iPhone 17 easier to justify for many buyers.
According to the publication, the standard iPhone 17 includes several features that the cheaper model lacks:
- A 120Hz ProMotion display
- Dynamic Island for notifications and Live Activities
- An additional Ultra Wide camera
The Verge, therefore, suggests that anyone who can stretch their budget should consider the standard iPhone 17 instead.
Magsafe Support
CNET focuses on the return of MagSafe and describes the phone’s appeal as “magnetic.” The publication says MagSafe support improves daily convenience because users can easily attach accessories and charge the phone with compatible magnetic stands and battery packs.
CNET also highlights several design compromises that remind buyers they are using a lower priced iPhone.
The publication points to the following limitations:
- Thicker display bezels
- A traditional notch instead of Dynamic Island
- A fixed 60Hz display with no always on screen
Despite those trade offs, CNET believes the phone remains a strong value. The publication says most buyers will not find the compromises too distracting, especially when the phone costs a few hundred dollars less than Apple’s premium models.
Budget Friendly
Engadget describes the iPhone 17e as “the economical choice” within Apple’s lineup. The publication explains that the device focuses on the basics instead of pushing high end features.
Engadget argues that Apple’s attention to lower cost devices feels timely as many buyers reconsider how much they want to spend on smartphones and laptops. The iPhone 17e costs about half the price of an iPhone 17 Pro and remains $200 cheaper than the standard iPhone 17.
For many users, Engadget says the phone still checks the essential boxes that matter in everyday use.
Performance, MagSafe and modem upgrades
Several reviewers highlight the technical upgrades that improve the iPhone 17e behind the scenes. The phone runs Apple’s new A19 processor, which benchmarks show performs about 15 percent faster than the A18 chip used in the iPhone 16e.
That improvement places performance close to the standard iPhone 17, which means users should see smooth performance in apps, games, and multitasking.
MagSafe also plays a large role in this year’s upgrade. The magnetic charging system supports faster wireless charging at 15W instead of 7.5W and works with a wide range of accessories such as magnetic battery packs, wallets, and charging stands.
Apple also introduced the C1X cellular modem, which the company says delivers up to twice the speed of the previous generation C1 modem. In one test on AT&T’s network in New Jersey, PCMag recorded download speeds reaching 419 Mbps, which suggests a noticeable jump compared with earlier models.
Release date and availability
Apple already opened pre orders for the iPhone 17e, and the device officially launches on Wednesday, March 11. The phone starts at $599 in the United States and includes 256GB of base storage, which doubles the starting capacity compared with the previous model.
Early iPhone 17e reviews show a device that focuses on practical improvements such as storage, MagSafe, and performance while keeping the same design and overall approach. For buyers who want Apple’s lowest priced modern iPhone, the device remains an attractive option, even though many reviewers say the standard iPhone 17 becomes tempting once you consider the extra features for $200 more.
