iPhone 17e: Features and performance of Apple’s budget-friendly smartphone

Apple has released the iPhone 17e, an upgraded version of its mid-range “e” line, starting at £599. It retains the iPhone 14-style design with a 6.1-inch OLED screen and a large notch but introduces key improvements, including the A19 chip (one GPU core fewer than the iPhone 17), 8GB of RAM, and storage options of 256GB or 512GB. The Ceramic Shield 2 glass enhances durability and reduces glare, making outdoor use easier. The battery is long-lasting, offering around 52 hours on average usage. Connectivity includes 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, satellite support, and GNSS, though it lacks Wi-Fi 7, Thread, and Ultra Wideband. Apple emphasises sustainability, with over 30% recycled materials and repairability rated seven out of ten by iFixit. The camera setup is limited to a single 48MP rear lens and a 12MP front camera, with automatic portrait mode but no ultrawide, telephoto, or macro options. Despite these limitations, the phone captures high-quality images in various lighting conditions. The iPhone 17e provides core iPhone features at a lower price, including Face ID, MagSafe, and long-term software support, making it suitable for buyers seeking the cheapest new iPhone without premium photography capabilities. Competitors like the Google Pixel 10a and Samsung Galaxy S25 FE are slightly cheaper but offer different feature sets.