Apple has officially launched the iPhone 17e, delivering a significant upgrade to its most affordable handset. While the exterior retains the classic display notch seen on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 16e, the internal specifications have been overhauled. The device features the same A19 processor found in the standard iPhone 17, alongside the new C1X cellular modem first introduced on the iPhone Air, promising twice the speed and improved efficiency.
The iPhone 17e now supports MagSafe, enabling 15W wireless charging via Qi2 and access to a wide range of magnetic accessories. The handset sports a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with Ceramic Shield 2 glass and an aluminium frame for enhanced durability. On the rear, a single 48-megapixel fusion camera offers optical 2x zoom, while the front houses a 12-megapixel camera for selfies and Face ID.
Pre-orders opened on Wednesday 4 March at 2.15pm GMT, with general sale commencing on Wednesday 11 March. The iPhone 17e is available in white, black and soft pink, with two storage configurations: 256GB at £599 and 512GB at £799. This pricing keeps the handset firmly under £600 for the base model.
Several pre-order deals are available. iD Mobile offers a 24-month contract with a total cost of just over £700, effectively £4.50 per month for airtime after deducting the handset price, plus an extra £50 trade-in bonus. Vodafone via Carphone Warehouse provides 100GB of 5G data for £32 per month with a £9 upfront fee, totalling under £800. O2 offers a 400GB monthly plan on a 36-month contract, including a free case of wine, cafetière and Amazon Prime Video trial, with airtime working out at about £17 per month.
