Apple has refreshed its cheapest new iPhone with a set of upgrades that make the company’s most affordable handset more capable than before. The iPhone 17e arrives with a faster chip, twice the storage, automatic portraits and MagSafe, giving buyers more of the essential iOS experience at a lower price than the main iPhone 17 range.
The 17e is the latest model in Apple’s mid-range “e” line, which began last year with the iPhone 16e. It is also now part of the iPhone 17 family. At launch, it starts at £599 (€699/$599/A$999), placing it below both the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 16. Apple says it undercuts those phones by £200 and £100 respectively, making it the cheapest new iPhone the company currently sells.
Although Apple has kept the 17e in the budget category, the hardware is closer to the rest of the line than a stripped-back entry model might suggest. The phone uses Apple’s A19 chip with a 4-core GPU and comes with 8GB of RAM. Storage now starts at 256GB, with a 512GB option also available. That is a notable step up from the baseline storage many buyers expect at this price.
The display remains a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with a resolution of 460ppi. On the camera side, the phone has a 48MP rear camera and a 12MP front-facing camera. Apple has also included automatic portraits, one of the practical additions that help the 17e feel more fully featured than earlier low-cost models.
Key specifications
The iPhone 17e runs iOS 26 and supports 5G, wifi 6, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3 and USB-C. It also includes Satellite and GNSS connectivity. Apple rates the handset for IP68 water resistance, meaning it can withstand water at depths of up to 6 metres for 30 minutes.
Physically, the device measures 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8mm and weighs 170g. Those dimensions keep it in the compact smartphone category, with a design that should remain familiar to anyone used to Apple’s smaller iPhones.
The addition of MagSafe is another important update, especially for buyers who want access to Apple’s magnetic accessories and charging ecosystem without paying for a higher-end model. Together with the improved chip and extra storage, it pushes the iPhone 17e closer to the mainstream iPhone experience while preserving the lower entry price.
For Apple, the strategy is clear: offer a cheaper phone that still feels like a proper iPhone rather than a heavily compromised version. The 17e does that by focusing on the features most people notice first, including performance, storage, camera basics and accessory support.
That approach may make the iPhone 17e one of the most straightforward choices in Apple’s lineup for buyers who want a new iPhone without moving up to the more expensive models. It is positioned as the company’s most affordable current handset, but this year’s upgrades mean it no longer looks like a bare-bones option.
