Apple has unveiled the iPhone 17e, a significant upgrade to its most affordable handset. While the exterior retains the classic display notch seen on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 16e rather than the Dynamic Island, the internal changes are substantial. The device is powered by the A19 processor, the same chip found in the standard iPhone 17, and features the new C1X cellular modem first introduced on the iPhone Air, which is said to be twice as fast and more efficient than its predecessor.
For the first time, the budget iPhone supports MagSafe, enabling 15W wireless charging and access to the extensive ecosystem of magnetic accessories. Pre-orders opened on Wednesday 4 March at 2.15pm GMT, with general sale following on Wednesday 11 March. The handset is available in two storage configurations: 256GB at £599 and 512GB at £799, in white, black and soft pink.
The iPhone 17e features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, the same size as the iPhone 16e, but now protected by Apple's tougher Ceramic Shield 2 and an aluminium frame for added durability. The A19 chip and C1X modem promise power comparable to the regular iPhone 17 while offering improved energy efficiency for longer battery life.
On the rear, the single 48MP fusion camera retains an optical 2x zoom, with enhanced image processing expected to deliver better results. The front remains a 12MP camera with Face ID. The addition of MagSafe brings Qi2 wireless charging at up to 15W, which is slower than the 25W on the regular iPhone 17 but still a welcome improvement.
Among the best pre-order deals, iD Mobile offers a 24-month contract with a total cost of just over £700, making airtime effectively £4.50 per month after deducting the phone's £599 retail price, plus an extra £50 for trading in an iPhone XS or later. Vodafone via Carphone Warehouse provides 100GB of 5G data for £32 per month with a £9 upfront fee, totaling less than £800 over 24 months, equivalent to around £7.50 per month for the data plan. O2's option includes a colossal 400GB monthly data allowance over 36 months, with a free case of wine, a cafetière and an Amazon Prime Video trial, though the airtime works out to roughly £17 per month.
