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Apple iPhone 17eCeramic Shield 2 front · Glass back · Aluminum design · Soft Pink · Black · White
Apple · Released March 2, 2026

iPhone 17e

The cheapest new iPhone: A19 chip, MagSafe and 256GB, but a 60Hz screen and a single rear camera

iPhones
7.8/10What the pros sayVery goodExpert consensus · Verified Oct 8, 2026See score breakdown ↓
Storage
Finish · Ceramic Shield 2 front · Glass back · Aluminum design · Soft Pink · Black · White
Buying call

Buy the iPhone 17e (256GB) if you want a new iPhone with Apple Intelligence for the least money: you get the A19 chip, 15W MagSafe charging and up to 26 hours of video playback (Apple claim). Skip it if the screen or camera matters: there's no ProMotion, Always-On display, Dynamic Island or ultrawide lens. Stepping up to the iPhone 17 adds all four and 4 more hours of claimed video playback.

Full verdict ↓
Lowest new price · 256GB · 512GBCheck current priceat eBay · 2 retailers
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Editor testedHands-on testing and real-world use
Real-world useBased on everyday testing, not a spec sheet
Unbiased reviewIndependent and objective, sources shown
iPhone 17eCheck current priceBuy on eBay
Key specs
Modules
48MP Fusion Main (26 mm, f/1.6)
Wired charging
Wired, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless MagSafe/Qi2
Display type
Super Retina XDR display · HDR · True Tone
Peak brightness
800 nits max brightness (typical); 1200 nits peak brightness (HDR)
Highlights

Specs that matter

Display
Panel
Super Retina XDR
Size
6.06" (154 mm)
Resolution
1170x2532
Brightness
800 nits
HDR
HDR10
Performance
Processor
4-core GPU with Neural Accelerators · 16-core Neural Engine · A19 chip · 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores · Hardware-accelerated ray tracing
GPU
4-core GPU with Neural Accelerators
RAM
8 GB
Storage
256GB · 512GB
OS
Spoken Content · Features include: · Zoom · Type to Siri · Voice Control · Magnifier
Battery
Capacity
4005 mAh
Wired charge
20 W
Body
Weight
6 oz (169 g)
Dimensions
Height: 5.78 inches (146.7 mm) · 5.78 inches (146.7 mm) · 5.96 ounces (169 grams) · Depth: 0.31 inch (7.80 mm) · Width:
IP rating
IP68
Colors
Ceramic Shield 2 front · Glass back · Aluminum design · Soft Pink · Black · White
At a glance

Product highlights

Verified attributes, grouped for quick scanning.

Display6.06" (154 mm)Super Retina XDR · HDR10
Chipset4-core GPU with Neural Accelerators · 16-core Neural Engine · A19 chip · 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores · Hardware-accelerated ray tracing8 GB RAM · 4-core GPU with Neural Accelerators
Front camera48 MP48 MP · f/1.6 · 26mm · wide · OIS · PDAF
RAM / storage8 GB · 256GB · 512GBSpoken Content · Features include: · Zoom · Type to Siri · Voice Control · Magni
Battery4,005 mAh20W wired
155 attributes · See all specifications
Price & availability

Where to buy

Prices from trusted US retailers, updated daily.

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2 price points tracked.
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Available in 256GB · 512GB.
Buying decision

Should you buy it?

Buy the iPhone 17e (256GB) if you want a new iPhone with Apple Intelligence for the least money: you get the A19 chip, 15W MagSafe charging and up to 26 hours of video playback (Apple claim). Skip it if the screen or camera matters: there's no ProMotion, Always-On display, Dynamic Island or ultrawide lens. Stepping up to the iPhone 17 adds all four and 4 more hours of claimed video playback.

Best for

First-time iPhone buyers and parents who want the newest chip, MagSafe and 256GB for the least money

Not for

Anyone who wants a 120Hz screen or an ultrawide lens; the iPhone 17 adds both

Main strengthA19 chip brings flagship-level performance to a budget iPhone
Main weaknessNo ProMotion — locked to 60Hz with no Dynamic Island
Reasons to buy
A19 chip brings flagship-level performance to a budget iPhone
MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging for the first time in the "e" series
256GB base storage — double the previous generation at the same price
Ceramic Shield 2 offers 3x better scratch resistance
Reasons to avoid
No ProMotion — locked to 60Hz with no Dynamic Island
Single-lens rear camera, missing Ultra Wide and dedicated Telephoto
Only 3 colors available (Black, White, Soft Pink)
Same 48MP camera sensor as the previous-gen iPhone 16e
Measured view7.8/10What the pros say · verified oct 8, 2026.
ScoreVerified Oct 8, 2026
Independent coverage

What other reviewers say

Reviews from other sites and creators. They don't change the Gadget Clash score.

Submit your review
CNET8.6/10
Article · Full reviewiPhone 17E Review: Pro Features, Affordable PriceAbrar Al-Heeti · Mar 2026

Highlights MagSafe and the A19 chip as reasons the small trade-offs are easy to accept.

Read on CNET ↗
The Verge7/10
Article · Full reviewThe iPhone 17E is good, but you probably shouldn’t buy itAllison Johnson · Mar 2026

A capable budget iPhone, but the reviewer thinks most people should spend a bit more.

Read on The Verge ↗
Tom's Guide4/5
Article · Full reviewApple iPhone 17e review: It’s what the iPhone 16e should’ve been from the startJohn Velasco · Mar 2026

Sees it as a fix for the 16e, mainly because MagSafe finally arrives.

Read on Tom's Guide ↗
6 Months Later · Sep 2026iPhone 17e Review - 6 Months LaterWatch on YouTube ↗
Mark Ellis Reviews · May 2026iPhone 17e One Month Later - Watch Before Buying!Watch on YouTube ↗
Head to head

How it stacks up

Open a comparison for the full side-by-side view.

Choose a gadget
Apple iPhone 17e
This deviceiPhone 17e
VS
iPhone 16
AlternativeiPhone 16
Display
6.06"6.1"
Chipset
4-core GPU with Neural Accelerators · 16-core Neural Engine · A19 chip · 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores · Hardware-accelerated ray tracing6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores · 5-core GPU · A18 chip · 16-core Neural Engine
Battery
40053561
Full comparison
Apple iPhone 17e
This deviceiPhone 17e
VS
iPhone 17
AlternativeiPhone 17
Display
6.06"6.27"
Chipset
4-core GPU with Neural Accelerators · 16-core Neural Engine · A19 chip · 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores · Hardware-accelerated ray tracing16-core Neural Engine · Hardware-accelerated ray tracing · 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores · 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators · A19 chip
Battery
40053692
Full comparison
Apple iPhone 17e
This deviceiPhone 17e
VS
iPhone 16e
AlternativeiPhone 16e
Display
6.06"6.1"
Chipset
4-core GPU with Neural Accelerators · 16-core Neural Engine · A19 chip · 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores · Hardware-accelerated ray tracingA18
Battery
40054005
Full comparison
Same category

Alternatives worth a look

Other phones in the database, with their stored scores and prices.

All iphones →
iPhone 16 Pro9.2
AppleiPhone 16 Pro6.3" (160 mm) · A18 Pro · 8 GB
iPhone 16e7.6
AppleiPhone 16e6.1" (155 mm) · A18 · 8 GB
iPhone 168.5
AppleiPhone 166.1" (155 mm) · 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores · 5-core GPU · A18 chip · 16-core Neural Engine · 8 GB
iPhone 17 Pro8.7
AppleiPhone 17 Pro6.3" (160 mm) · A19 Pro · 12 GB
Product data

Full specifications

155 attributes, grouped for quick scanning. Verified Oct 8, 2026. Spot a wrong value? Hit the next to it.

Display

Display type
  • Super Retina XDR display
  • HDR
  • True Tone
  • Wide color (P3)
  • all-screen OLED
Peak brightness
800 nits max brightness (typical); 1200 nits peak brightness (HDR)
Pixel density
460 ppi
Protection
Ceramic Shield 2 front
HDR
Yes
DCI-P3 coverage
Wide color (P3)

Performance

CPU
Hexa-core (2x4.26 GHz + 4x2.60 GHz)

Memory

Card slot
No

Main camera

Modules
48MP Fusion Main (26 mm, f/1.6)
Aperture
f/1.6
Stabilization
optical image stabilization
Optical zoom
Digital zoom up to 10x
Video
4K
24 / 25 / 30 / 60 fps
1080p
25 / 30 / 60 / 120 / 240 fps
Dolby Vision
HDR
Audio
Stereo recording
1080p
25 / 30 / 60 / 120 fps
Dolby Vision
HDR
Features
OIS
HDR photos
✓
Night mode
✓

Selfie camera

Modules
  • 48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS |
  • 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)

Sound

Loudspeaker
Stereo speakers
Headphone port
No

Battery & Charging

Wired charging
Wired, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless MagSafe/Qi2
Wireless charging
✓
MagSafe
✓

Network

Technology
GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
5G
✓
SIM
Dual eSIM (two active eSIMs; stores eight or more eSIMs)

Connectivity

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth
  • 5.3
  • A2DP
  • LE
Positioning
  • GPS
  • GLONASS
  • Galileo
  • QZSS
  • BeiDou
  • and NavIC Digital compass Wi-Fi Cellular iBeacon microlocation External Buttons and Connectors Volume up/down Action button Side button USB-C connector Built-in microphones Built-in stereo speaker Action button features Silent Mode
  • Focus
  • Camera
  • Visual Intelligence
  • 10 Flashlight
  • Voice Memo
  • Recognize Music
  • Translate
  • Magnifier
  • Controls
  • Shortcut
  • or Accessibility Charging and Expansion USB-C connector with support for: Charging USB 2 (up to 480Mb/s)
NFC
✓
USB / ports
USB Type-C 2.0
FM radio
✕

Sensors & Security

Face unlock
✓
Gyroscope
✓
Accelerometer
✓
Proximity sensor
✓
Ambient light sensor
✓
Barometer
✓
Other sensors
  • Face ID
  • accelerometer
  • gyro
  • proximity
  • compass
  • barometer | Emergency SOS
  • Messages and Find My via satellite

Body

Dimensions
5.78 in (14.7 cm)
Build
  • Aluminum design
  • Ceramic Shield 2 front
  • Glass back
Form factor
bar
Water & dust resistance
Rated IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes)
Colors
  • Black
  • White
  • Soft Pink
Repairability
Class C

Launch & Software

Released
March 2, 2026
Operating system
iOS 26.3, upgradable to iOS 26.6
In the box
  • iPhone 17e
  • USB-C Charge Cable (1 m)
  • Documentation
  • iPhone 17e
  • USB-C Charge Cable (1 m)
  • Documentation
Vote & discuss

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