iPhone 17e review: The economical choice

Source: Engadget

Introduction

By introducing the iPhone 17e just a year after the iPhone 16e, Apple is closing some gaps.
Before, the company would only roll out a new entry‑level iPhone every few years, with the iPhone 5c (2013), iPhone XR (2018) and iPhone SE (2016, 2020, 2022) all having two to four years between their releases.

But Apple is getting into an annual groove now, and having renamed the device to integrate better with the rest of the iPhone lineup, Apple is making a clear statement: it cares about the midrange now.

With the current state of global economics, Apple’s focus on lower‑cost devices like the iPhone 17e and the newly launched MacBook Neo is timely. Most people probably don’t make full use of the high‑powered machines in their pockets and on their laps, and might be reconsidering whether they need to spend as much money on the Pros and the Airs of Apple’s product lineup.

• At $599, the iPhone 17e is about half the price of an iPhone 17 Pro or the iPhone Air.
• It’s $200 cheaper than the base iPhone 17, too.

Since I reviewed the iPhone 16e last year, I’ve been using it as a work phone, mostly for Slack, email, and light editing in Docs. The way I see it, most people considering the iPhone 17e are likely in a similar situation — either thinking of getting a supplementary device or looking for a good‑enough phone for a child or other dependent.

For this review, I’ve tried to cover most of those scenarios, whether it be a person that would spend most of their phone time on social media and games (like a teenager) or someone that’s largely using it for administrative‑work purposes.

Key question: If you’re getting your first iPhone or buying one for someone else, should you get the iPhone 17e or the iPhone 17?

iPhone 17e vs iPhone 16e, for testing’s sake

It’s very clear from Apple’s website that it doesn’t want you comparing the iPhone 17e to the iPhone 16e. The company doesn’t allow you to do so in the comparison tool on the iPhone 17e product page, limiting you to the iPhone 11, iPhone 12 and the iPhone SE (second and third generations).

Sure, I understand that no one is really thinking about getting an iPhone 17e after just buying the 16e last year. But for the purposes of this review, it makes sense for me to shout out what’s new from the previous generation.

What’s new?

• A19 chip – promises faster AI processing via neural accelerators in the GPU.
• Double the storage options.
• Improved Portrait photography (next‑gen Portrait mode).
• MagSafe with faster wireless charging.
• New pink color option, adding a subtle splash of color to the previously monochromatic lineup.

A19 chip performance

The A19 chip is supposed to make AI processes faster, thanks to the neural accelerators in its GPU. In my testing so far, the difference has been negligible at best.

• Initially I saw the iPhone 17e perform slower than the 16e, but after a software update the 17e caught up.
• In Apple‑Intelligence‑powered tools like Cleanup, the iPhone 17e was a split‑second faster at identifying unwanted objects in photos and erasing them than the 16e.

Tip: If you’ve just received your iPhone 17e and run into issues where image generation or cleanup is slow or stalling, give it a day or so for the software to stabilize.

Oddly, in some side‑by‑side Image Playground testing, the iPhone 17e and iPhone 16e were neck‑and‑neck. Sometimes the 16e was faster; occasionally the 17e was ahead. I’ll continue to keep an eye on how both phones do here, as it could still be due to early software issues, but for now the improvements from the A19’s GPU seem to be hit‑or‑miss.

Improved portraits on the iPhone 17e

Of all the improvements to the iPhone 17e, one of the most important to me is Portrait mode.

In my review of the iPhone 16e, I said that the majority of my grievances with the single‑camera setup was the fact that Apple ended up using an older version of Portrait mode. That version was much more limited and didn’t allow for applying a background blur to pictures of non‑human subjects.

This time, Apple borrowed the algorithms it developed for the iPhone Air for the iPhone 17e’s rear and front cameras. The result:

• General improvement to portraits with better segmentation and a more natural‑looking bokeh effect.
• Ability to capture depth information when a person, cat, or dog is detected, allowing you to apply blur after the shot even if you didn’t use Portrait mode initially.

These “next‑gen portraits” also let you edit the level of blur and change the focal point after the photo is taken.

Example:

• I photographed my neighbor’s grumpy shih‑poo, Oreo. The iPhone 17e initially blurred out Oreo’s tail, keeping only his face in focus.
• By dragging the aperture slider, I brought more of the dog into focus.
• Tapping Oreo’s tail cleared it, and the phone blurred his face instead.

When using Portrait mode to photograph people, the iPhone 17e delivered more pleasant bokeh than its predecessor. In pictures of my friend Brenda Stolyar, with the “depth” (aperture) set to f/4.5 on both devices, the new phone produced a softer background (brick wall) while maintaining subject sharpness.

For those coming from older phones like the iPhone 11, 12, or SE, the addition of next‑gen portraits feels like a major step up. Even compared to the iPhone 16e, being able to apply the effect on photos of food and other inanimate objects with no faces makes the camera more versatile and noticeably better.

Bottom line

• Performance: The A19 chip’s AI gains are modest and sometimes inconsistent; software updates can close the gap.
• Camera: Next‑gen Portrait mode is the standout improvement, offering depth capture, post‑shot blur adjustments, and better bokeh.
• Price: At $599, the iPhone 17e is a compelling mid‑range option, especially for first‑time iPhone buyers or secondary‑device users.

If you value a solid camera upgrade and a lower price point over the absolute latest performance specs, the iPhone 17e is the sensible choice over the iPhone 17.

iPhone 17e Review – The Economical Choice

Published on Engadget – https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/iphone-17e-review-the-economical-choice-130000647.html?src=rss

First‑Impression Photo Quality

“…makes your photos feel more modern. But that is definitely because I like pictures with the artificial depth‑of‑field effect.”

If you don’t care for bokeh and only need a phone that can snap menus or receipts, the 17e’s camera upgrades won’t mean much.

MagSafe and Wireless Charging

Charging speeds

*Power is limited by the charger; a 20 W+ adapter is required to hit 15 W.

• The 17e snaps onto my wireless‑charging stand instantly, while the 16e slips off and has to be placed on the pad.
• In a pinch (e.g., a café charger) the 17e tops up noticeably faster.
• If you leave the phone on a stand overnight, the difference is negligible.

MagSafe accessories

• The 17e supports MagSafe cases, wallets, and stands.
• The 16e lacks this magnetic ecosystem, so you’ll need a non‑magnetic solution.

Other Notable Updates

• Ceramic Shield 2 on the 17e’s screen promises better durability (not yet fully tested).
• A new anti‑glare coating—useful in overcast New York weather, but still under evaluation.
• Storage: Base storage doubled (good news for media hoarders), though iCloud limits remain a concern for heavy users.
• Dimensions & Weight
  • Both models: 5.78 × 2.82 × 0.31 in
  • Weight: 17e is 2 g (0.8 oz) heavier—likely due to MagSafe hardware.
• Display & Battery – Identical across the 16e and 17e: same size, resolution, brightness, refresh rate, contrast ratio, color gamut, IP68 rating, and up to 26 h video playback per Apple.

Should You Get the iPhone 17e or the iPhone 17?

Key Differences Between 17e and 17

Bottom line:

• If you can stretch the budget by $200, the iPhone 17 offers a significant upgrade in display quality, camera versatility, performance, and future‑proof connectivity.
• If you’re price‑sensitive and don’t need the extra camera features, the 17e remains a solid entry‑level Apple phone.

Wrap‑Up

• 2026 Landscape: Apple now offers a tiered iPhone lineup with clear, meaningful differentiators across price points.
• Upgrade Path: Moving from an iPhone 11/12/SE to the 17e feels substantial; any current‑gen phone will feel modern by comparison.
• Competition: Android mid‑range options (e.g., Pixel 10a) provide larger 120 Hz displays and dual‑camera setups for about $100 less. Apple may need to push its mid‑range specs further in the next “e‑series.”
• Brand Premium: The iPhone name carries its own premium, and the 17e delivers a reliable, no‑frills entry into the Apple ecosystem.

Verdict: The iPhone 17e is a well‑rounded, affordable handset for newcomers or budget‑conscious users. If you can afford the extra $200, the iPhone 17’s richer feature set makes it the clearer value for power users and photography enthusiasts.