How to preorder the iPhone 17e — Apples new budget phone is available to buy now
Source: Mashable Tech
Apple kicked off its “big week” by announcing the latest budget iPhone, its first with MagSafe, alongside an updated iPad Air. The new iPhone 17e is set for release next Wednesday, March 11, and pre‑orders open from March 4.
The iPhone 17e is priced at $599 with 256 GB of storage to start—double the base storage of last year’s iPhone 16e, which cost the same.
Availability & Pricing
- Release date: March 11, 2026
- Pre‑order start: March 4, 2026
- Starting price: $599 (256 GB)
- Storage options: 256 GB or 512 GB
Design & Display
The iPhone 17e retains the 6.1‑inch OLED Super Retina XDR display from its predecessor but upgrades to a Ceramic Shield 2 front cover. It introduces a new soft pink finish, making it the “smallest, cheapest, and pinkest” member of the iPhone 17 family.
The iPhone 17e is the smallest, cheapest, and pinkest member of the iPhone 17 family. – Credit: Apple
Weight: 5.96 oz (slightly heavier than the iPhone 16e’s 5.88 oz) to accommodate the upgraded components.
Technical Specs
- Processor: A19 chip (same as the standard iPhone 17)
- Modem: New C1X cellular modem (up to twice as fast as the iPhone 16e’s C1)
- Battery life: Up to 26 hours of video playback
- Front camera: 12 MP TrueDepth
- Rear camera: 48 MP Fusion system (48 MP Fusion Main camera)
- MagSafe: Wireless charging support (first for Apple’s budget line)
- Durability: IP68 rating, Ceramic Shield 2 front cover
- Additional features: Emergency SOS, Crash Detection, Apple Intelligence
Comparison & Opinions
Mashable’s Stan Schroeder praised the iPhone 16e as “pretty great when compared to other members of the iPhone 16 family,” but noted the lack of MagSafe and a higher price than the older iPhone SE.
With the iPhone 17e, Apple addresses those shortcomings by adding MagSafe and boosting storage, camera, and modem capabilities. While a full review is pending, the spec sheet suggests a compelling upgrade for budget‑focused buyers.