The iPhone 17e is a solid upgrade but looks dated on day one
Source: 9to5Mac
Announcement and Upgrades
As expected, Apple has today announced the new iPhone 17e with several worthwhile upgrades over its predecessor.
- Full support for MagSafe wireless charging.
- Storage has been doubled to 256 GB for the same price.
Design: Notch vs. Dynamic Island
While it had been widely rumored that Apple would ditch the notch for a Dynamic Island, the iPhone 17e still has a notch, just like the model it replaces. Apple appears to be holding back some features from the flagship models to prevent buyers of the standard iPhone 17 from opting for the budget model. However, the presence of the notch makes a brand‑new phone look dated immediately.
Android Comparisons
Samsung
-
Low‑end models such as the $299 Galaxy A26 5G still use a notch.
-
Moving up the range, the $399 Galaxy A36 with 256 GB storage features a punch‑hole camera.
- For the same $599 as the iPhone 17e, the 256 GB version of the Google Pixel 9a also uses a punch‑hole design.
Nothing
- The Nothing Phone (3) is only about $40 more for the 256 GB model and also sports a punch‑hole camera.
Looking at any Android smartphone at the same price point, you typically get a punch‑hole camera, which gives the display a sleeker, more contemporary look than the iPhone 17e’s notch.
Why the Notch Remains
Android phones don’t offer Face ID, which requires a larger cutout and makes a simple punch‑hole design impossible. Nonetheless, the expectation was that the iPhone 17e would launch with a Dynamic Island, and its absence makes a brand‑new iPhone look dated on the day of announcement.
Conclusion
The iPhone 17e brings solid internal upgrades, but its continued reliance on a notch—while competitors at the same price level have moved to punch‑hole designs—may affect its perceived modernity.
Image credit: 9to5Mac/Apple/Avinash Kumar