iPhone 17e hands-on: Pretty in pink, with portraits enabled

Source: Engadget

Overview

The iPhone 17e was announced via press release, so there was no chance for an immediate hands‑on. At Apple’s New York event, the phone was displayed alongside the new MacBook Neo, iPad Air M4, MacBook Pro M5, and Studio Display XDR. I managed a quick spin to see how similar it is to the iPhone 16e. Spoiler: it mostly is.

New Features

• MagSafe support – The most noteworthy change. I confirmed it works, though I haven’t yet measured any impact from the higher wireless‑charging speed.
• Portrait photography – The iPhone 17e can apply an artificial background blur to subjects that the iPhone 16e labels as “No person detected.” In the Photos app, the blur level and focal point can be adjusted, allowing different elements (e.g., a group of flowers) to come into focus.

Design & Color

The new pink color option is “absolutely delightful.” It isn’t overly vibrant; rather, it’s a subtle, understated shade—very close to the pink of the Pixel 3 but a bit rosier. I find it elegant and a surprising scene‑stealer.

Build Quality

The iPhone 17e features a stronger Ceramic Shield 2 covering the display, an upgrade from the Ceramic Shield on the iPhone 16e. I didn’t test durability by dropping the device, so real‑world resilience will need further evaluation.

Future Testing

I plan to assess battery life, charge time, and performance improvements with the A19 chip in a full review. The early look confirms that most expectations are met.

Availability & Pricing

• Price: $599
• Pre‑order: Open now
• In‑store & shipping arrival: March 11

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