CUPERTINO: Apple on March 2 introduced the iPhone 17e, a lower-priced model in its iPhone 17 lineup that starts at $599 with 256GB of storage and is also offered with 512GB for $799. The company said the phone will be sold in black, white and soft pink with a matte finish. Pre-orders begin March 4 at 6:15 a.m. Pacific time, with retail availability starting March 11. Apple said customers in more than 70 countries and regions will be able to pre-order.
iPhone 17e runs on Apple’s latest-generation A19 chip built on 3-nanometer technology, paired with a 6-core CPU that Apple said is up to twice as fast as iPhone 11. Apple said the phone includes the C1X cellular modem, designed by Apple, that is up to twice as fast as the C1 in iPhone 16e and uses 30% less energy than the modem in iPhone 16 Pro. Charging includes USB-C fast wired charging that can reach 50% in about 30 minutes, and MagSafe plus Qi2 wireless charging up to 15W. Apple said iOS 26 power management and the efficiency of Apple silicon contribute to all-day battery life.
The phone has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with up to 1,200 nits peak HDR brightness, aimed at improving visibility outdoors. Apple said the front is protected by Ceramic Shield 2 with an Apple-designed coating that delivers three times better scratch resistance than the previous generation and reduces glare. The enclosure uses an aerospace-grade aluminum design and carries an IP68 rating for splash, water and dust resistance. The device includes Face ID and an Action button that can be set to quickly access features such as the flashlight and visual intelligence.
Camera and video
Apple equipped iPhone 17e with a 48-megapixel Fusion camera that it describes as a two-in-one system, including an optical-quality 2x Telephoto option for tighter framing. Users can shoot up to 48MP resolution or use a 24MP default setting that Apple said balances image quality and file size. The company said Night mode is designed to improve low-light photos, and HDR processing is intended to preserve highlights and shadows. Apple said next-generation Portraits can recognize people, dogs and cats and store depth information so users can adjust focus after the shot.
For video, Apple said iPhone 17e can record 4K Dolby Vision at up to 60 frames per second. The phone can capture video in Spatial Audio for playback on supported devices such as AirPods and Apple Vision Pro, and Apple said Audio Mix provides additional options for editing video sound. Apple also said wind noise reduction uses machine learning to reduce unwanted audio in recordings. The company said MagSafe enables attachment to a wide range of accessories including chargers, stands, cases and wallets.
Safety, software and sustainability
Apple highlighted satellite-based features intended for times when users are outside cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, including Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Messages and Find My via satellite. The company said users can text friends and family with Messages via satellite, contact emergency services with Emergency SOS via satellite, and reach roadside assistance providers via satellite. Apple said Find My can share a user’s location via satellite to reassure contacts while traveling off the grid. The company said Crash Detection can detect a severe car accident and automatically dial emergency services if a user is unable to reach the phone.
iPhone 17e ships with iOS 26, which Apple said introduces a new interface design with Liquid Glass and integrates Apple Intelligence features across core apps. Apple said Apple Intelligence includes Live Translation in Messages, FaceTime and Phone, as well as with AirPods on supported models, and extends visual intelligence to on-screen content for search and actions. Apple also said Call Screening can ask unknown callers for a reason for calling, Hold Assist can remain on the line until a live agent is available, and Messages can filter unknown senders into a dedicated folder. Apple said iPhone 17e uses 30% recycled content, including 85% recycled aluminum in the enclosure and 100% recycled cobalt in the battery, and ships in 100% fiber-based packaging designed for recycling – By Content Syndication Services.
