iPhone 17e Reviews: Two Key Upgrades
Source: MacRumors
The first reviews of the iPhone 17e were published today by selected publications and YouTube channels, ahead of the device launching on Wednesday.
New Features
- A19 chip – Apple’s latest processor, up to 15 % faster than the A18 in the iPhone 16e.
- MagSafe – Magnetic wireless charging and accessory ecosystem (wallets, battery packs, charging stands).
- C1X cellular modem – Up to twice the speed of the previous C1 modem.
- 256 GB base storage – Double the storage of the iPhone 16e’s base model.
The iPhone 17e retains the overall design of the iPhone 16e and is priced at $599 in the U.S., the same launch price as its predecessor.
Recommendations
The Verge’s Allison Johnson recommends purchasing the standard iPhone 17 for an additional $200 if you can afford it, noting that the higher‑end model adds a 120 Hz ProMotion display, Dynamic Island, and an extra Ultra‑Wide rear camera.
MagSafe
CNN Underscored’s Mike Andronico called MagSafe a “huge” addition:
“While the iPhone 17e looks and feels just like last year’s model, there’s one huge change under the hood: MagSafe support. Apple’s entry‑level phone works with the wide ecosystem of magnetic accessories, including MagSafe wallets, battery packs and charging stands. It’s been so nice being able to plop my iPhone 17e on my Belkin Boost Charge stand while I’m at my desk and snap on my Baseus PicoGo battery pack when I’m on the go. MagSafe allows for twice the wireless charging speed at 15 W versus 7.5 W.”
Google’s budget Pixel 10a lacks an equivalent MagSafe feature.
Performance Benchmarks
- A19 vs. A18 – Benchmarks released last week show the A19 chip is up to 15 % faster than the A18 in the iPhone 16e and on par with the standard iPhone 17.
- Download speeds – On AT&T’s network in New Jersey, PCMag’s Eric Zeman recorded a peak download speed of 419 Mbps for the iPhone 17e. An Ookla study from September reported a median speed of 169 Mbps for the iPhone 16e on AT&T, supporting the claim that the new C1X modem delivers roughly twice‑as‑fast 5G performance.
Cellular Connectivity
The iPhone 17e ships with Apple’s latest C1X modem, which Apple says is up to twice as fast as the C1 modem found in the iPhone 16e.
Additional Reviews
These outlets, among others, have published their own impressions of the iPhone 17e.